Joeys are in the box seat to claim the 2024 GPS First XV premiership after beating Newington to claim their third straight win. 

Elsewhere, Shore and Scots moved up the ladder following important wins over Riverview and Kings.

Joeys 36-24 Newington 

Joeys scored five tries in a 36-24 win on a muddy deck at Hunters Hill to move two wins clear of the rest of the competition at the top of the GPS ladder. 

The home side led 10-3 at half time following a try to lock Arthur Greer but scored three tries in 10 minutes early in the second half, through forwards Chris Quinn, Johannes Logan and Justice Taumoepeau, to jump away to a 31-3 lead after 47 minutes. 

Newington responded with a try from close range to lock Cooper Habler but Joeys hit back immediately with the try of the match.

Despite the wet conditions, the Joeys backs and forwards combined nicely and spread the ball from one sideline to the other before fullback Max Palmisani crossed out wide to seal the win. 

Newington scored two late tries to add some respectability to the scoreline, but Joeys were too good up front on a wet and muddy pitch and moved further ahead at the top of the GPS ladder. 

Scots 20-7 Kings

A timely turnover by Scots’ flanker Angus Newman and two tries to speed winger Jay McKenzie helped Scots beat Kings 20-7 and get their season back on track. 

Kings opened the scoring in the 16th minute when centre Isamu Naito ran a nice line and broke a tackle to score next to the posts. 

McKenzie then showed good speed and footwork to run 60 metres and score late in the first half, before his side added a penalty goal to take a 10-7 lead to the break. 

15 minutes in to the second half, Kings attacked Scots line and looked very close to scoring. But flanker Angus Newman caused a crucial turnover just metres from his try line and Scots spread the ball to McKenzie who ran 90 minutes untouched to score a match defining try. 

The visitors added a penalty goal in the 65th minute to extend their lead, then defended well in the final minutes to claim their first win since round three. 

Scots are now five competition points behind Joeys at the top of the GPS ladder but just one competition point behind Shore in second. 

Shore 20-8 Riverview

Three tries to captain Marshall Le Maitre helped Shore claim a 20-8 victory over Riverview and jump to second on the GPS ladder. 

Le Maitre scored from a pick and go in the 13th minute to open the scoring for the home side but Riverview responded quickly with a penalty goal. 

Shore came within inches of scoring a second try midway through the second half, but the referee deemed the Shore forwards to be held up and awarded a penalty that he’d been playing advantage for on Riverview’s five metre line. 

Le Maitre grabbed the ball, took a quick tap and burrowed his way over to extend his side’s lead. 

Shore kicked a penalty goal to lead 15-8 at half time and as conditions worsened, the home side tightened things right up. 

From a maul inside Riverview’s quarter, Shore controlled possession for nine phases with the forwards battering Riverview’s defensive line on either side of the ruck. 

Eventually, Le Maitre found a way through and scored his third try to give Shore a 20-8 lead. 

Riverview attacked inside Shore’s half for most of the remaining 20 minutes, but weren’t able to penetrate the stoic Shore defence. 

After consecutive wins, Shore are now second, two wins behind Joeys at the top of the GPS ladder but still within reach.