Round three of the GPS season delivered another thrilling weekend of schoolboy rugby, with Newington making a major premiership statement, Riverview maintaining its presence at the top-end of the ladder and Joeys and Shore producing one of the games of the season in a dramatic draw.

Each side is beginning to establish its identity, with playing styles taking shape as the race for the Shield starts to heat up.

St Joseph’s 33 – 33 Shore

Joeys and Shore played out an extraordinary 33-all draw in one of the games of the season, with Shore crossing eight minutes into stoppage time to salvage a share of the points.

After a tense opening 10 minutes, Joeys struck first through a clever tap-and-go play, with flanker Eddie Garcia-Wood strolling over untouched from close range.

Shore gradually worked their way into the contest and replied through sustained forward pressure, eventually burrowing over from a pick-and-go to edge ahead 7-5.

Joeys responded brilliantly. No.8 Finn Leary produced a superb offload in contact to send winger Henry Troy over before Troy backed it up moments later with a sharp in-and-away step and a 40-metre sprint to the tryline.

Not to be outdone, Shore’s outside backs responded immediately, with Nate Martin producing a similar piece of individual brilliance to cut through the defence and reduce the margin to 19-14 at the break.

The scrum proved a headache for both sides throughout the match, with repeated penalties and resets disrupting momentum.

A yellow card to Joey’s scrumhalf Lachlan Wallace shifted the contest early in the second half. 

Shore capitalised through Harvey Joyce, who crashed over from close range, before Noah Quayle powered his way to another try as the visitors dominated territory and possession with the extra man.

Once Wallace returned, Joeys regained their composure. Strong field position and direct forward play led to consecutive tries before Wallace redeemed himself by scoring the go-ahead try to put Joeys ahead 33-26 with 14 minutes remaining.

Flyhalf Finn Hannon then had the opportunity to seal the result from the tee but pushed a makeable penalty wide, leaving the door open.

Shore made Joeys’ pay.

Holding possession through more than 45 consecutive phases, the visitors relentlessly attacked the line before finally crashing over eight minutes after full-time to secure a dramatic 33-all draw in a match where rugby was undoubtedly the winner.

Newington 45 – 15 Kings

Newington announced themselves as early premiership favourites with a dominant 45-15 victory over previously unbeaten Kings in a top-of-the-table clash.

The visitors set the tone immediately, earning two early penalties and converting field position into points with a simple pick-and-go try inside the opening minutes.

Kings looked set to respond after a charge down created a golden opportunity, but a desperate try-saving effort from Newington scrumhalf Harry Whitaker forced Hasani Bloomfield into a knock-on over the line.

Bloomfield eventually got his reward, barging over out wide to score Kings’ first try, while new goal-kicker Levi Strong added two early conversions to briefly give the home side the lead.

From there, Newington took control.

Their forwards repeatedly won the gain line before flanker Hunter Hall produced a clever dart through the ruck from 25 metres out to score untouched. Another try before half-time, finished acrobatically by winger Ofa Latu, extended the visitors’ advantage to 26-10 at the break.

Any hopes of a Kings comeback were dented immediately after half-time when fullback Thomas Aroyan was sent to the sin bin for a tackle in the air.

Newington struck quickly after to extend the margin and never looked back.

Kings skipper Oli Smith attempted to spark a revival with a powerful try from close range, but Newington’s relentless forward pack continued to dominate. 

Newington front rowers Iliyaz Viliamu and Isaiah Sheck were the difference between the sides, repeatedly generating front-foot ball and putting Kings under pressure carry after carry.

Second rower Kupu Manuofetoa then produced one of the moments of the match, bursting through the line and burning the fullback to score, before a slick cut-out pass sent winger Timoci Nagusa over to cap off a statement victory.

Newington’s 45-15 win sends a clear message to the rest of the competition and cements their status as the team to beat.

Riverview 37 – 29 Scots

Riverview bounced back from a heartbreaking defeat last weekend with a hard-fought 37 to 29 victory over Scots in an entertaining contest at Bellevue Hill. 

Scots started strongly, striking first as they looked to respond to last week’s heavy defeat, but Riverview quickly answered before settling into their preferred rhythm.

The visitors took the lead through a brilliant 50-metre kick-return try from centre Taj Scarr, whose speed and footwork again proved a major weapon.

Scots fought back through the oldest trick in the lineout book, with hooker Harry Jenkins finishing the movement to lock the scores at 10-all heading into the break.

The contrasting styles of both teams were evident throughout. Scots looked to move the ball wide at every opportunity, while Riverview patiently built pressure through the middle before unleashing dangerous outside backs like Scarr and Jack Plamondon.

Riverview captain Isaac Perkins once again led from the front, producing another influential performance and scoring after a determined carry close to the line. His work rate and physicality continually gave the visitors momentum.

Plamondon then extended the lead with a penalty goal as Scots struggled to capitalise on opportunities, particularly through a lineout that lacked accuracy in key attacking areas.

The home side stayed in the contest through a strong carry from front rower Tom Hill, who powered over from close range, while centres Sam Large and Oscar Tremlett consistently threatened with ball in hand.

However, Riverview always seemed to have an answer.

Their front row responded immediately when a quick tap penalty five metres out ended with the prop burrowing over through three defenders. Scots’ discipline then became an issue, with a yellow card for repeated infringements allowing Plamondon to stretch the lead further from the tee.

A brilliant solo effort from Large briefly reignited hopes, but Riverview crossed again to secure the result before a late consolation try to Scots captain Tremlett, narrowed the final margin to 37-29.

It wasn’t perfect from the defending premiers, but it was another composed performance built around strong leadership, a reliable set piece and the continued brilliance of Perkins, Scarr and Plamondon.