After dropping three games by five points or less in the opening month of the 2024 GPS first XV season, Shore have won their last three matches and now sit just one win from the top of the competition ladder. 

Following impressive wins over Scots and Riverview, Shore returned from the July school holiday break in style, scoring six tries in a 38-12 win over Kings last weekend.

“It was our first hit out on a dry track this year which I think all the teams would have really enjoyed,” first XV coach Angus Sinclair told Rugby News. 

“White Oval at Kings is one of the best decks around as well so we were fortunate to get to enjoy it on a good day. 

“Kings were a little depleted with injuries but our boys played well and did what they had to do. 

“It was the first time Shore had won at Kings since 2006, so everyone was pleased with that.”

Lock Ethan Hamilton scored a double for Shore, while forwards Felix Harvison and Marshall Le Maitre and backs Jack Binnie and Jai Callaghan also crossed for five pointers in a win that now puts Shore in premiership contention, following Joeys shock loss to Scots last weekend. 

“In a tight competition, you’ve got to win tight games and we didn’t do that at the start of the season,” Sinclair said. 

“That almost made things do or die for us from pretty early on in the season and we’ve almost been playing finals type footy ever since.”

Sinclair said he’s fortunate to be coaching one of Shore’s most talented cohorts in recent memory. 

Skipper Marshall Le Maitre was selected in the Australian U18s squad last month, while Felix Harvison, Ed Baxter and Jai Callaghan were picked in the Australian Schoolboys (formally Australia A) side. 

A number of other Shore players also impressed in rugby league rep tournaments. 

“It’s the most we’ve had playing rep footy for quite a while, which is a good sign for the school. 

“It’s a funny one though because now we’ve got half the squad that has spent the last month playing non-stop and the other half that haven’t played a game. 

“It’s a tricky one to manage but all the schools are in the same boat.”

Shore travel to face a Newington side this weekend that beat them at Northbridge 31-26 back in round three. 

Newington are fifth on the GPS ladder but like Scots and Riverview, could leapfrog Shore into second spot this weekend with a victory and put pressure on Joeys at the top of the GPS ladder. 

“We were disappointed with our performance at home against Newington earlier this year but they are a very good team,” Sinclair said. 

“They’ve got a big forward pack and some dangerous backs and they’ll be looking to bounce back after a bit of a slip up against Riverview last weekend.”

If Shore win, they’ll host Joeys next Saturday in a match that could set the school up to win Shore’s first GPS title since 2006. 

Despite that, and despite some excited Old Boys, Sinclair said his side wasn’t looking too far ahead. 

“It’s nice to be in contention, that’s for sure, but as soon as you look too far ahead you lose focus on the task in front of you.” 

“It’s happened to a few teams this year already and it’s something we want to avoid. 

“We’re fully focused on heading to Newington this weekend and playing a grand final and if we can win, then we’ll give ourselves a chance to see what happens after that.”

In the other round eight matches, Joeys host Kings and an in-form Scots’ side heads across the city to face Riverview.