Shore have secured at least a share of this year’s GPS premiership, after beating Joeys at Northbridge on Saturday and can claim the outright title if they beat Scots in this weekend’s final round.

In other round nine results, Kings bounced back to beat Riverview and Scots were too good for Newington.

Shore 34-26 Joeys

Shore scored six tries in a 34-26 victory over Joeys to claim at least a share of this year’s GPS premiership. 

If Shore defeat Scots at Bellevue Hill on Saturday, the school will claim its first outright title since 1969. 

Searching for their fifth straight win, Shore jumped away to a 17-3 lead following three first half tries to winger Charlie Francis, flanker Marshall Le Maitre and hooker James Warner. 

Joeys hit back when No.8 Justice Taumoepeau threw a lovely flick pass to set up a try for Joeys winger Henry Troy on debut. 

But Shore pushed further ahead after the break with a second try from a driving maul and a pick and go try to No.8 Bede Clout to give the home side a 31-10 lead with 20 minutes remaining. 

Joeys kept fighting and scored twice in the second half through backrowers Mackinley Dooley and Lucas Arnautovic. 

But Shore sealed the win with a try to replacement back Ollie Mackellar with 10 minutes remaining after the home side’s forward pack rumbled their way down the field impressively. 

Shore claimed joint GPS premierships in 2006, 1998, 1985, 1977, 1970 and 1933 but have only won the outright title on three occasions in 1969, 1909 and 1908. 

A win against Scots on Saturday will see this year’s team join rare company. 

If Shore don’t beat Scots and Joeys beat Riverview, Shore and Joeys will share this year’s premiership. 

Kings 43-33 Riverview

Kings fought back from 28-19 down and scored four straight second half tries to claim a 43-33 win over Riverview and end Iggies’ hopes of claiming a joint GPS premiership. 

Kings centre Isamu Naito scored three tries from close range in the opening 35 minutes, but his side still trailed at the break following five pointers to Riverview props’ Dan Osborne and George Tancred and flanker Henri Dempsey. 

Riverview pushed further ahead with a try to skipper Phoenix Graham early in the second half before Kings regained the momentum. 

Impressive fullback Talen Risati threw a clever dummy and scored in the 43rd minute, then set up a try on counter attack 10 minutes later for centre Louis Fenwicke. 

Kings’ prop Hasani Bloomfield then used his big frame to score two tries in five minutes from close range to give the home side a 43-28 lead. 

Riverview scored a consolation try through No.8 Campbell Conna in the final minutes but were made to pay for a poor 15 minute period in the second half that cost them the match and a shot at the GPS title. 

Riverview face Joeys next weekend while Kings travel to face Newington. 

Scots 33-28 Newington

A standout individual performance by Scots’ winger Jay McKenzie inspired his side to a 33-28 victory over Newington at Bellevue Hill. 

With the scores locked at 14-all at half time, McKenzie came within inches of scoring the try of the GPS season 10 minutes into the second half. 

After receiving a kick inside his own half, the outside back split the Newington kick chase with his speed then stepped off both feet past numerous covering defenders. 

He was eventually tackled just short of the the Newington goal line, but lock Toby Brial scored on the next phase. 

McKenzie then had a hand in another brilliant Scots’ five pointer, eventually scored by centre Onitoni Large.

After finding space near the touchline, McKenzie passed inside to Leo Jacques who offloaded to Large to give their side 26-14 lead.  

Newington remained in striking distance with a five pointer in the 60th minute, but another McKenzie run shortly after the restart led to a try to No.8 Heinz Lemoto. 

Newington again hit back with a try to Luca Cleverley in the final minutes and had a chance to steal victory after the full time siren. But Scots defence held strong in the closing stages in a 33-28 win.