NSW Schools: Joeys & Kings break GPS premiership droughts after dramatic final round
Joeys and Kings will share the 2018 GPS premiership after another drama filled afternoon of schoolboy rugby in Sydney.
Joeys, Kings and Scots went into their final matches equal on six competition points each and all with a chance to win an outright or shared premiership.
At Parramatta, two tries to 15-year old phenom Joseph Suaalii proved the difference as Kings beat Scots 24-18.
Scots led for the majority of the match, but couldn’t match the Kings attack after the break, as they claimed their first premiership since 2009.
But there was plenty of drama still to come on a windy afternoon in Sydney.
With a packed house at Lane Cove for the Riverview v Joeys match, the wind knocked over one set of goal posts, forcing fans to wait over an hour for play to get underway.
But when it did, it didn’t disappoint.
After a tight first half, Joeys trailed 8-7 but reclaimed the kick off at the start of the second half and scored almost immediately to take the lead.
Riverview dominated territory from that point on and spread the ball wide to score their second try, before centre Ollie Smith took a quick tap and caught the Joeys defenders napping to give his side a 20-14 lead.
With the GPS premiership on the line, Joeys reclaimed the lead when fullback Nick Wilson slid through the Iggies defensive line from a five metre scrum, but Riverview weren’t done yet.
Desperate to spoil Joeys’ party, Riverview looked to have stolen victory when Smith crossed for his second try after several minutes of attack on Joeys’ line.
Most thought that was the final play of the game and some Riverview Old Boys even stormed the field, but there was still time for another restart.
Almost as if it was scripted, Joeys winger Xavier Ryan reclaimed the kick off and charged towards the Riverview line. He offloaded to reserve hooker Nelson Roberts who palmed off a defender or two and dived over to seal a famous victory.
Incredibly, there was still time for another kickoff despite the lack of light, but Joeys took possession and kicked the ball out.
The 28-25 victory sees Joeys share the GPS premiership with Kings. It’s Joeys first title since 2007.