A first half hat trick to Joeys No.8 Justice Taumoepeau proved the difference in his side’s 33-23 victory over Knox on the opening weekend of schoolboy trial matches in 2024. 

Knox opened the scoring through hooker Sebastian Gyngell who broke away from an impressive maul from the home side, but Joeys quickly responded with Taumoepeau’s first of the afternoon. 

Knox added two penalty goals and led 11-7 late in the first half, but Joeys converted territory into points each time they visited Knox’s end, with Taumoepeau barging over twice more to give his side a 21-11 lead at the break. 

The visitors extended their lead early in the second half when centre Matt Gough broke through several tackles to score under the posts then defended their line impressively to stop Knox from scoring. 

Knox turned to their set piece, which was impressive all afternoon, and scored two further tries from their maul. 

But another strong run from Gough led to a try to Joeys winger Kynan Hart and a 33-23 victory for the Cerise and Blue. 

In other schoolboy results over the weekend, Jack Binnie scored a double for Shore who defeated Oakhill 40-17 in a match played under lights at North Sydney Oval following the Norths v Randwick Shute Shield clash. 

Elsewhere, hooker Hasani Bloomfield and lock Issac Fonua scored doubles as Kings defeated Waverley 38-24, while Riverview held off Barker 14-12 and Newington belted Scots 36-7. 

ISA schools St Pius, St Pats and St Gregs all claimed strong victories over Cranbrook (25-19), Trinity (38-14) and Aloys (17-12) respectively.