NSW AAGPS 2019

[RuggerFan1]

If I am not mistaken the last 'A's' team to beat scots was actually the current Cranbrook 1XV year group back in year 7 at the final 'battle of the hill' game before the fixture ceased

sounds like porkies to me, but ill try found out. Such a shame they cancelled the battle of hill.

 

[Quick Hands]

New only beat Trinity by a couple of tries, Shore aren’t too far behind them nor Joeys. Kings and Scots will be a different matter.

I wouldn't call 7 tries to 2 a couple of tries and Newington had about a third of their best players out.

Still, only time will tell and Shore may well be in for a stellar season and I could have completely misread the situation.

 

[Show-n-go]

sounds like porkies to me, but ill try found out. Such a shame they cancelled the battle of hill.

Why did they cancel it?

 

[Quick Hands]

Why did they cancel it?

Cranbrook didn't like Lambert's methods.

 

[Quick Hands]

Thanks QH

I believe its against St.Augustines, so it should be a hard match. Hopefully, the 1st XV will bounce back as they have been given new benchmarks for achievement and improvement, courtesy of Scots. In the long run such a loss might be "A blessing In disguise " as the team is now aware of the type of play that will be required of them, to compete in the big matches of the GPS round.

Hopefully, work commitments will allow me to be there, with intention of watching the 15As Game. I last saw the team as the 13As two years ago. Another team that has impressed me is our 13As, due to their ability to play a running game. Hopefully, the 14As are getting back to last years form and our 16As continue their improvement, whatever, the result of their Scots game. And of course all the other teams that make up the Newington Rugby Program.

Augustine's will be a challenge as always, but I couldn't help but notice that Waverley beat them in 1sts, 2nds, 3rds, 16As, 16Bs, 15As, 14As and some other lower age group games. 13A was the only A game that StAugs won. Highly unusual for St Augustines' to lose that many higher grade matches. Same thing happened when they went to Canberra to play St Edmunds.

I understand that John Papahatzis has been taken out of hands on coaching by the new Principal, not sure if the two are related.

 

[RuggerFan1]

Cranbrook didn't like Lambert's methods.

What methods mate? I'm not going to pander your anti-scots delusion. Funny anyway most of the Scots sports staff from 2014 backward now work at Cranbrook, so I'm sure they're using "Lamberts methods"

 

[SonnyDillWilliams]

If I am not mistaken the last 'A's' team to beat scots was actually the current Cranbrook 1XV year group back in year 7 at the final 'battle of the hill' game before the fixture ceased

Yes that is correct... 2014... the same year cranbrook had a good team. Won CAS. cranbrook came in with high hopes, however they were flogged... 52 to #? altgh I think they had some bad luck if memory serves me right ... think their 7 was injured early? Head knock?

Either way the only cranbrook team to win on the day was 13As .

Unless I am mistaken Jude Gibbs would have been in that brook team, and many of scots players are now in 1st xv, and playing well.

Maybe it bodes well for cranbrook in 2019... or joeys

Either way the scots prog seems to have gone up another gear since Brian smith arrived and some scots sports staff moved down the hill. I heard Andrew cleverly is no longer at brook.

So not sure who replaced him?

Cranners rugby isn’t too bad ... holding up better than some.

Do cranners play shore in 2019? Who is current Martin Pitt scholarship recipient?

I really hope Shore rugby turns the corner... under the last headmaster rugby (at least at top level) has reached new lows .... and that was once part of the schools traditions... even if not many titles were won

 

[Quick Hands]

What methods mate? I'm not going to pander your anti-scots delusion. Funny anyway most of the Scots sports staff from 2014 backward now work at Cranbrook, so I'm sure they're using "Lamberts methods"

You asked a question and I gave you the answer. I'm not going to expand on it here as it's not the time or the place. If you really want to discover, go back to find it in the threads from the time. It's ancient history though and not really worth discussing.

The sports staff who were a Cranbrook left for a reason and it wasn't to continue the same things at another location.

 

[Joker]

Cranbrook didn't like Lambert's methods.

Oh couldn't help myself. Scots seem to have a production line of huge players since Lambert turned up.

 

[Joker]

To be fair at "Gulag" Hunters Hill

 

[Quick Hands]

Games for this week

Joeys v Waverley, Grammar and High Queen's Park, Weigall & McKay

Riverview v Stannies & Kinross at Lane Cove

Scots v Trinity & Oakhill at Summer Hill & Castle Hill

Kings v Barker & St Gregs at Hornsby & Cambelltown

Shore v Knox at Northbridge

Newington v St Augs & St Pius at Stanmore

Cranbrook v Alos at Rose Bay

Some interesting match-ups

Waverley seem very strong and shapes as a great game against Joeys. I'm always wary of Joeys trial form (particularly the early ones) as they tend to give many boys a chance at playing in higher grades so it's often not their "best" 15 playing. I'm expecting a close one. Toss of the coin.

Riverview to beat Stannies

Scots to beat Trinity

Kings and Barker is another interesting one - Kings just

Knox to beat Shore

Newington in a close one over St Augs

Cranbrook to beat Alos

 

[Wristman]

Yes that is correct. 2014. the same year cranbrook had a good team. Won CAS. cranbrook came in with high hopes, however they were flogged. 52 to #? altgh I think they had some bad luck if memory serves me right . think their 7 was injured early? Head knock?

Either way the only cranbrook team to win on the day was 13As .

Unless I am mistaken Jude Gibbs would have been in that brook team, and many of scots players are now in 1st xv, and playing well.

Maybe it bodes well for cranbrook in 2019. or joeys

Either way the scots prog seems to have gone up another gear since Brian smith arrived and some scots sports staff moved down the hill. I heard Andrew cleverly is no longer at brook.

So not sure who replaced him?

Cranners rugby isn’t too bad . holding up better than some.

Do cranners play shore in 2019? Who is current Martin Pitt scholarship recipient?

I really hope Shore rugby turns the corner. under the last headmaster rugby (at least at top level) has reached new lows .. and that was once part of the schools traditions. even if not many titles were won

Was at the game.
Remember it well.
It was an exceptional Scots side in 2014 that swept all before them.

10 out of 10 wins in the home & away GPS format.
Only disappointment was that Jack Maddocks played for the 3rds!

 

[Up the Guts]

I wouldn't call 7 tries to 2 a couple of tries and Newington had about a third of their best players out.

I was going off the report of this esteemed poster:

1sts - Newington 29 def Trinity 14

But B&W was quick to set the record straight.

 

[Joker]

Joeys v Waverley, Grammar and High Queen's Park, Weigall & McKay

Joeys by a meatpie. Could go either way as Joeys will probably try a few new lads out. Joeys use the trials wisely to find the best combinations and often a team that started a game in the trials can be vastly different by the end of the season.

Riverview v Stannies & Kinross at Lane Cove

View by at least 30 sushi rolls with plenty of milk shakes bought by the Loretto girls.

Scots v Trinity & Oakhill at Summer Hill & Castle Hill

The Uruk-hai will continue their quest for middle earth domination and use Trinity as the doormat to the western suburbs. Guarantee a number of Scots cars to be vandalized and badged by Summer Hill street urchins who are not used to seeing such shiny things

Kings v Barker & St Gregs at Hornsby & Cambelltown

St Gregs to put up a big show, but ultimately the larger Kings cattle to prevail. Barker maybe home in the 2nds.

Shore v Knox at Northbridge

Shore will provide warm smiles, an excellent pie, solid coffee and a tasty post match tea, but that is all. Knox by at least a dozen spring rolls.

Newington v St Augs & St Pius at Stanmore

Battle of the Islanders. Will the Tongan lads take it up to the Peninsula Samoan Warriors? All I know I am getting in line for the Pork roll. Plenty of beef on the field and even bigger beef on the sideline watching.

Cranbrook v Alos at Rose Bay

Battle of the handbags. Cranbrook should out out-Fendi the north shore Chanels. Car park is where the action will be. Cranbrook will be supported well by the boutiques in Double Bay.

 

[Jim Belshaw]

Games for this week

Joeys v Waverley, Grammar and High Queen's Park, Weigall & McKay

Riverview v Stannies & Kinross at Lane Cove

Scots v Trinity & Oakhill at Summer Hill & Castle Hill

Kings v Barker & St Gregs at Hornsby & Cambelltown

Shore v Knox at Northbridge

Newington v St Augs & St Pius at Stanmore

Cranbrook v Alos at Rose Bay

Some interesting match-ups

Waverley seem very strong and shapes as a great game against Joeys. I'm always wary of Joeys trial form (particularly the early ones) as they tend to give many boys a chance at playing in higher grades so it's often not their "best" 15 playing. I'm expecting a close one. Toss of the coin.

Riverview to beat Stannies

Scots to beat Trinity

Kings and Barker is another interesting one - Kings just

Knox to beat Shore

Newington in a close one over St Augs

Cranbrook to beat Alos

For some reason I thought that Cranbrook were playing TAS?

 

[Black & White]

from all accounts newington had a poor turnout for the boys spectating and the parents were outnumbering students by a fair bit, sad as the support of the boys could have been the difference between a thrashing and a tight contest.

Hello RogerScots82

Yes, your right, but the reasons for this were discussed last year when someone mentioned it back then. But if you missed that post, basically it involves travel. As most Newington parent don't live in the Eastern Suburbs. I remember as a schoolboy, if my father didn't dive out to BH due to work commitments. I was required to catch an endless amount of buses and trains to get there.It was a long day and a tiring day to get back to Epping where I lived.

This problem you will find is common to many Newington families and will be a feature, whenever Newington play Scots on their home ground. However, you find numbers a lot better when the GPS round is played at Stanmore.

By the way congratulations on an excellent win by your 1st XV, it will save as a real reality check for our 1st XV and provides them with an excellence benchmark of what needs to be done, in order to perform at the highest levels of schoolboy Rugby.

 

[Joker]

Little taste of the real entertainers of AAGPS rugby....the Joeys 10th XV v Kings 9ths.
Some pretty good rugby in here.

 

[Black & White]

Little taste of the real entertainers of AAGPS rugby..the Joeys 10th XV v Kings 9ths.
Some pretty good rugby in here.

Well Done Joker

Its absolutely wonderful your highlighting Rugby at the other end of the opens Division. I think many of us tend to forget that Rugby is played and loved beyond the 1st XV level. Additionally, how many of these players in the years to come, will to develop into outstanding players of ability and skill. This progression to higher level skills and upper grades, begins often in colts and continues into grade Rugby. Without these boys and many others like them, Australian Rugby would be a lesser game for all of us.

 

[Wristman]

Well Done Joker

Its absolutely wonderful your highlighting Rugby at the other end of the opens Division. I think many of us tend to forget that Rugby is played and loved beyond the 1st XV level. Additionally, how many of these players in the years to come, will to develop into outstanding players of ability and skill. This progression to higher level skills and upper grades, begins often in colts and continues into grade Rugby. Without these boys and many others like them, Australian Rugby would be a lesser game for all of us.

Good to see them on the main oval as well!
I know many a boy in lower grades who treasured playing a rare game on the first XV pitch when fixtures allowed.
They always rose to the occasion and played above themselves.
Nice one Joker.

 

[Joker]

Good to see them on the main oval as well!
I know many a boy in lower grades who treasured playing a rare game on the first XV pitch when fixtures allowed.
They always rose to the occasion and played above themselves.
Nice one Joker.

Thanks lads.

It is the practice at Joeys that in the final year, the sports master makes a special effort to get as many yr 12 matches as possible on Number 1. I also believe Kings and Shore do so as well.

Here is a recount of one occasion coming from 2011.

So, on a bright sunny morning, late in the season and with the faint promise of Spring in the air the Joeys boys entered the grandstand sheds as their 1st XV brothers would do later that day. Instead of the usual banter that follows preparation before a game and echoes across a field, these boys were unusually quiet, almost reverential in their preparation. Whispers it seems were the order of the day. No one yelled, no one even joked. The mood was sombre and reflective. The lads knew that today was their ultimate game in cerise and blue. They were going out to play on the legendary field on which the giants of days long past had trod before them.

The coach gathered the boys in a huddle. He could see some doubt behind their eyes. The boys did not want to have stage fright, the did not want to fail in front of the others who had gathered on the benches outside cradling coffees and discarded tracksuit tops. The coach could see that his role now was to only provide a few soothing words. "Boys, its all going to be ok. Don't let your mates down and run the ball, run the ball, run the ball." To that, the boys huddled briefly, captain said a couple of words and out the door they went.

To their surprise, there assembled were a large number class mates from year 12. They had gathered along the stairs/stand and cheered them on as loudly as it would be for the 1st XV that afternoon. Among them cheering with great volume were members of the triple-stripe team who would later play at 3.15pm. These elite footballers could have easily stayed in bed, rested long, late breakfast, longer shower and then a casual saunter to the Park at 1pm. No these boys got up early, changed into their school uniform, dined with the early bird players in the dawning light, walked with them to the park along the quiet streets of Hunters Hill and even helped with the stretch. Then they took their place in the chorus and cheered their mates onto the field. They also stayed and respectfully clapped the Kings team who also looked equally proud that their final was being played on such hallowed turf.

The game went ahead and you would have never know the match was being played between two 9th XV's. Whether it was the immaculate playing surface, the score board that had their name on it or the sidelines filled with family and mates, but these two teams played like champions. The ball stuck to normally unsure shaky hands, scrums were torrid, back lines ran like the wind and props lifted breakaways into the stratosphere at line-outs. It was a joy. It was beautiful. It was what rugby is about. The joy, that pure, untainted joy of playing with your mates in game that you love.

The result was really a no contest as the Joeys boys did indeed, run, run, run the ball. They were unselfish in their play and were constantly looking to pas that ball one more time to someone new to score. Many boys forever cherish a memory which they can pass onto their sons one day, "I scored a try on that field." It didn't matter if is was 9ths, all that matter that the College gave them that one chance to play on the ground that was held sacred by all past and present students.

At the end of the game, the teams hugged, spoke words of congratulations and clapped each other off with three rosuing cheers that scared the pigeons roosting in the grandstand. The Joeys mums and dads brought forward cold drinks and some welcome hot food to share with the team. The Joeys boys though felt it was not right to celebrate alone, as a true game is always about two teams, not just one. A Joe boy ran to the departing Kings cohort and invited them back to join in. "Stay and celebrate a season all done". Remember of course, they too had finished their rugby service to TKS. And so it was, that at 10.15am one Saturday morning, a group of a "retiring schoolboy" rugby players (with mingling parents) shared a drink, hot chicken wings and laughed the morning away and no one remembered the score. The boys just remember the way they felt.