Shore sit atop the GPS first XV ladder with two matches remaining after claiming their fourth straight win and could secure at least a share of this year’s premiership if they can beat Joeys at Northbridge this weekend. 

In the weekend’s other matches, Kings handed Joeys their second straight loss while Riverview kept their premiership hopes alive with a hard fought win over Scots. 

Shore 24-20 Newington

Shore fought back from 17-5 down to claim a 24-20 win over Newington to move within one win of the school’s first GPS premiership since 2006. 

Newington jumped out to a 12-0 lead midway through the first half after finding space on the right edge to score twice through winger Callum Grantham and centre Matt Humphries. 

Shore hit back in the 23rd minute by shifting the ball wide after finally earning some possession in Newington’s red zone. 

But the home side took a 17-5 lead to the break and looked in complete control after Grantham scored a third try down the right sideline.

Shore won the territory battle early in the second half but had trouble breaking Newington’s goal line defence.  

After close to 10 minutes attacking deep in Newington territory, Shore finally broke through with flyhalf Rex Bassingthwaighte using his speed to find space out wide. 

Newington hit back with a penalty goal but Shore suddenly had the momentum. 

Attacking from a scrum inside Newington’s 22, Shore scored their third try through winger Charlie Francis after two clever offloads from Jai Callaghan and Marshall Le Maitre. 

The visitors then took a 24-20 lead in the 65th minute when centre Henry Connick muscled his way over under the posts. 

Shore then controlled proceedings in the closing stages, something they struggled to do earlier this season, and held on to claim an important four point win. 

Shore host Joeys next weekend with the winner of that match guaranteed at least a share of the GPS premiership. 

Kings 43-21 Joeys

Kings scored four unanswered tries in the final 15 minutes against a 14-man Joeys outfit following a red card for a mistimed tackle to Joeys flanker Johaness Logan which changed the momentum of the match. 

Both sides had scored two tries each in a tight opening 45 minutes before Logan was given an early shower for a tackle that had no malice in it, but was clearly worthy of a red. 

Despite that, Joeys hit the front after that through No.8 Justice Taumeopeau and led 21-15 with 20 minutes remaining. 

But centre Isamu Naito scored a few minutes later to snatch the lead back for Kings and the home side didn’t look back from there. 

Winger Hugo Williams crossed a few minutes later, while centre Louis Fenwicke and scrumhalf Kai Wilson also crossed in the 43-21 win. 

Joeys have lost both games since returning from the July school holiday break and will travel to Shore for a season and potentially premiership defining match at Northbridge on Saturday. 

Riverview 31-19 Scots

Riverview kept their premiership hopes alive with a 31-19 win over Scots in a fiery affair at Lane Cove. 

The home side jumped away to a 17-0 lead early in the second half following an intercept try to winger Jack Plamondon in the eighth minute and a clever try to scrumhalf Angus Grover early in the second half. 

Scots hit back when their No.9 Max Patterson mimicked Grover to score a similar try with a big dummy a few minutes later. But Riverview pushed further ahead when Grover crossed for his second on the back of a strong driving maul in the 50th minute to give the home side a 24-7 lead. 

Scots fought their way back into the match with an impressive individual try to flyhalf Oniti Large but the visitor’s discipline cost them dearly. 

Centre Zach Fittler was red carded for a moment of madness a few minutes later, then forward Heinz Lemoto received a yellow card for a second dangerous tackle in a matter of minutes. 

Despite attacking with just 13 players, Scots were next to score through skipper Toby Brial and reduced the deficit to just five points with 10 minutes remaining. 

But Riverview controlled territory well in the closing stages and scored a fourth try through Plamondon in the final minutes to seal a 31-19 win. 

Riverview are two points behind Shore and Joeys with two matches remaining and could share the GPS title with either Shore or Joeys if they win their remaining two matches and other results go their way.