After watching the games,
Kings were a little down on their previous performances and Scots certainly played above their position on the ladder. Scots forwards, led by Brial, gave them good go forward and kept Kings at bay. Scots backs finally defended better and let 15 run the show very well. Scots could have won ( deservedly ? ) but Kings did enough and expect a big improvement against Joeys at Parramatta.
I can't tip Newington and I didn't. Shore had the game under control ( just wished they closed it out last week against Scots )and played really well. They have some very good players and will be a force next year as well. Shore rugby is on the rise and hopefully success is around the corner. Newington, coming into this season as one of the favs, is last and will take out the wooden spoon this week.
Joeys vs View. Great atmosphere and very good game. Both sides had their chance yet View did enough. I thought View would have been down a little after their close loss against Kings ( it was Kings that were down ) but View lifts against Joeys and this View team is a very good team. Let by 10, View scored some great tries and held Joeys. Though Joeys, as mentioned, did well in the first half playing a forward game with Doyle but started going too much side ways in the second half and were never really threatening the View's defence. View will be too strong for Shore this week at home ( although Shore will push them ) and finish a very credible second.
Tips rd 10 :
Scots by 14
View by 18
Kings by 7
Comment :
The game begins when the players walk on the field. The sportsmanship, respect for each other and the opposition and good faith is on show when the two teams line up in front of each other. Handshakes are exchanged and the whistle is blown. Joeys vs View is the main game on the AAGPS Rugby calendar. Current students, Old Boys, coaches and parents are all there watching intently. All of us are a part of this great tradition.
Last year, on at least three occasions, a certain Joeys player ( his name and number have been previously mentioned so I won't do it ), did not shake hands with opposition players when beginning the game ( and one occasion an opposition player chased after him and the Joeys player ran off ). This was posted and we were told that this player had been spoken to by coaches etc and because he was in yr 11 and young, he would learn from this "minor" indiscretion. After watching it happen again on Saturday, it was a kick in the face for all the Joeys and View supporters. If this player thinks it's ok to disrespect his school and the opposition he is a poor example for young players. After repeated offences, he should be stood down form his last game for Joeys. He may learn his lesson of humility and when he faces the All Blacks, he may respect the games traditions and not turn his back on it. Joeys coaches would have had a tough decision for captain this year. The no. 9 or this particular player. The no9. is all class in every sense of the word. At least they got that right. I won't comment on this again but if there are any Joeys coaches reading this or if anyone can say something, IMO this is important. Tell the player to pull his head in, be gracious enough to shake your opponents hand before and after the game and play the game hard and fair. That's a complete player