After round two, the GPS thirds competition can only be described as tight. Just 19 points separated the winning and loosing teams across the four games played. No side was disgraced, with all playing competitive rugby.
At the end of the second round, two teams (Joeys, TAS) are on four points, three teams (Grammar, View and High) are on two points, two teams (Scots, Kings) on one point with only Shore yet to open its account.
Going into the round, the big question, the premiership one, was whether anyone could beat Joeys and to a lesser degree TAS. Both Joeys and TAS won, but just.
Joeys won against Kings 14-12. Joeys attacked constantly in the second half, but fierce Kings defence kept them out. Then, with a couple of minutes to go, Kings missed a penalty just in front. On such small things are matches and indeed competitions decided.
TAS won against Scots 14-10 in a second thriller. Ten minutes in,Edward Pitt scored for TAS next to the posts, with Harry Pollard converting. There were no further first half points, with TAS leading 7-0 at half time.
Not long into the second half, TAS won a lineout deep in the opposition’s territory with flanker Michael Baldock propelling himself over the tryline. Love it when breakaways or indeed any forward scores. We do the work and the show ponies in the backs get the credit. But then, I’m biased! Pollard converted, making the score 14-0.
A degree of ill-discipline resulted in two yellow cards to TAS, letting Scots back into the game with two tries. Scots could not convert, with TAS then holding its line in the face of rolling Scots attacks. TAS finally won, but like the Joeys’ match, it was a close run thing.
Grammar just squeaked home against Shore 8-5. There was a long injury break that unsettled Grammar, with the Shore boys playing with more determination after the break. In the end, Grammar’s victory was settled by a penalty with both teams one unconverted try each. Grammar appears struggling to settle and were lucky not to lose this one.
In the final game, View defeated High 15-5. This was a closer contest than the score line would suggest, with View winning in the end by capitalising on High errors. This High side is much better than the pre-season results indicated. I think they are learning and agree with Huly that they have the capacity to upset.
In all, a great round.
Now we come to round three.
In the first match, Iggies is playing Scots. Based on the results to this point, I think that this should be a very close contest that either side could win. I hesitate to pick a winner, but am inclined to favour Scots – just.
In match two, Shore plays Kings. Results to date suggest a Kings victory.
In match three, Joeys play High. High starts as the emotional favourite, but based on the preseasons in particular Joeys has to be strongly favoured. High is improving, but is it enough? Joeys to win and by a considerable margin, but fingers and toes crossed for an upset.
Finally, Grammar travels into the High Country to play TAS in that team’s only home match. On the results to date, TAS has to be favoured. However, and I don’t know whether its just the extra stimulus provided by the cold, Grammar has a bad habit of surprising TAS at home. TAS to win, but I have fingers and toes crossed.
