Viewpoint

As we approach the midway point of the rugby season, there has been a distinct improvement across the program in our ability to move the ball to space and create attacking opportunities. Straighter running and catch-pass skills have improved, which is a sign of the work being done in training. Our tackling skills have certainly improved; however, confidence in contact is so important, so all players are encouraged to work hard at getting their tackle technique right. This will improve our team's defence and reduce a player's risk of injury.

All players and teams should be thinking about the last 4-5 games and picking two or three specific areas they want to improve over the remainder of the season. Tackle, clean out, ball carry, and placement, left-to-right pass, and communication skills are all areas that can never be good enough, and the whole program will benefit from players and coaches working to improve in these areas.

With just the two games v Kings this Thursday for 1st and 2nd XV, many younger players will be travelling to various venues throughout NSW to compete in the NSWJRU State Championships. We wish all Riverview players competing in these championships all the very best.

1st XV report - Riverview 37 def Scots College 29

The 1st XV travelled to Bellevue Hill on Saturday to take on Scots College. After a week of heavy rain across Sydney, the weather cleared, providing a beautiful, sunny afternoon and ideal conditions for rugby.

Scots struck first, but we responded well, and the match quickly developed into an entertaining contest. Both sides exchanged tries throughout the opening half, with neither team able to gain a decisive advantage. At the halftime break, the scores were locked at 10-10.

We made an excellent start to the second half, crossing for the opening try before adding a penalty goal to establish some breathing room. Scots continued to challenge, but each time they closed the gap, we found an answer. Another exchange of tries followed before a second penalty goal extended the lead to 30-15.

Despite the scoreboard margin, Scots refused to go away and continued to attack with purpose. A late consolation try reduced the final margin, but after last week’s heartbreaking loss to Joeys, the team knew we just needed to bounce back and get the win. We had done enough to secure a hard-fought 37-29 victory.

Jack Plamondon and Taj Scarr were outstanding throughout the afternoon, consistently troubling the Scots' defence with their running game and attacking intent. Both players were rewarded for their efforts with well-deserved tries.

The victory sees the 1st XV continue to build momentum as the GPS season progresses.

Anthony Calavassy

This week

What an exciting Thursday afternoon of Rugby at Riverview, leading into the long weekend.

Game times today on Field 1

2.00pm - 2nd XV v Kings - Riverview are undefeated, and Kings are 2 from 3

3.15pm - 1st XV v Kings - both teams are 2 from 3, with Newington the only team undefeated currently

TOP PERFORMERS

4th XV defeated Scots 34 - 5

The 4th XV are loving it. The team has started the season strongly and is building something special along the way. 3 wins from 3 games. The approach has been simple each week: take a step forward as players, a team and friends.

Backed ourselves to play expansive rugby, resulting in a total points score of 114, conceding only 22. Hard, sharp running lines from our outside backs, Noah, Tyrese and Thomas, allow our triple ball playing combination of Charlie, Harry and Ollie to always have an option to strike. Of course, none of this would be possible without the hard-nose approach up front from our forwards Archie (2x), Hamish and Eddie.

The road ahead for an undefeated season is long, but we know that with aggressive line speed, efficient attack and some laughs along the way, we will continue to take the steps forward we need to.

Hugo Dempsey

6th XV defeated Scots 34 - 3

The 6 XV recorded a strong win over Scots on Saturday. The game began as a tight contest, with the heavy pitch making conditions challenging for both sides. A dominant break from Archer Love gave the team momentum, and from there the boys continued to build pressure and put points on the board.

As the game progressed, the hard work completed at training began to show. The team moved the ball effectively across the field, creating space in the wide channels and converting opportunities into excellent tries. The fitness and effort developed throughout the season were also evident, allowing the boys to maintain their intensity and finish the game strongly.

Oliver Hancox

13Ds defeated Scots 53 – 31

The 13Ds put on an absolute clinic in attack this week, with a dominant 53-31 victory over the Scots. Right from the opening whistle, all of the boys showcased their vision, pace and aggression, carving up the defense with full-field runs and sharp passing, they should all be very proud and look to continue their improvements.

Grattan Rutherford

Riverview’s first goal came when Drew Karakaidos received the ball deep in the Riverview half, looked up and saw the opportunity for a long ball forward. Matteo Shipman turned on the after-burners to outrun his marker, met the ball on the edge of the penalty area and lobbed the ball over the advancing ‘keeper and into the goal. Matteo was also involved in the next goal when he cleared the ball down the left flank, all the way to a Shore defender who was harried by Alex de Laet and turned the ball back towards his ‘keeper, only to see Cooper Edwards swoop on the ball just before the ’keeper could reach it, run around him and push it into the net. Half-time came with the visitors leading 2-0.

Despite running down the Northbridge hill in the second half, the Riverview boys were not able to find another goal. However, they were able to keep the Shore boys goalless as well and so held on to win the match and imitate the 2nd XI’s positive start to the competition rounds.

2nd XI GPS Round 1 May 30, Northbridge D, Shore.

Riverview 3 (Xavier Tavano 2, Marcus Hughes) defeated Shore 0.

Following a draw with the same opponent in Round One of the GPS Plate at home, the Riverview 2nd XI was to open its Competition campaign with Shore at their Northbridge base. There was also the issue of exercising the spectre of the stinging defeat at the hands of a very slick Newington team in the Plate final the previous weekend.

Playing in their blue strip for the first time, the Lane Cove boys were off to a flying start with Marcus Hughes hitting the target virtually from the kickoff, from a ball cut across the goal mouth by Lucas Gestekamp, and before many of the spectators had settled into their seats in the grandstand. Play continued with both teams having opportunities to score. Half-time came and went, punctuated by the attendance of an ambulance on an adjoining field.

Seven or eight minutes into the second half, the Riverview boys had moved the ball down the right-hand flank when a Shore defender intervened in front of the goal. However, Xavier Tavano dispossessed the defender, carried the ball out to the right again, turned and shot from a tight angle into the goal to double Riverview’s advantage. Both sides had more chances as the second half wore on. About 5 minutes from the end of the match, Riverview again progressed down the right-hand side of the field. The ball was crossed in by young Louis Gower, and Xavier was in place to control the ball and take a shot. His stroke took a slight deflection off the back of a defender before beating the ’keeper to his right and finding its way inside the left-hand upright to ruffle the netting for a third time. The final score of 3-0 set the Riverview 2nd XI off on the right foot in pursuit of the Premiership.

The full Football Report can be read HERE .

Congratulations to the boys below on their selection:

Our coaches, after much deliberation at training earlier in the week, have decided to award our first Man of the Match Award. We are excited to name Harry ‘Heart of a Wolf’ Fingleton as our award recipient.

Harry set himself a goal to represent GPS at the beginning of the season, week after week the coaches were impressed with his grit and ability to keep pushing himself to the next level, and last Saturday Harry ran the race of races to secure his GPS selection.

Thank you to Charles Fuller for his accompanying sketch, though there was some confusion between ‘Heart’ and ‘Head’.

In the Opens, it was the right time to see Henry Stuart and Xavier O’Hea settle into their rhythm and produce their best results of the season. It was very close for Charles Fuller and Lachlan Maiers, who just missed out on selection.

In the intermediates, Ben Case backed up his overall win two weeks ago with a 3rd overall and 1st GPS. Ben currently leads the competition in the intermediates.

Jackson Smith, who has been racing up in the Opens, dropped back into his age group and earned himself the opportunity to race in the GPS blue. A great effort from Jackson, who backed up from a big AFL game Friday night to race Saturday morning.

In our mighty juniors we had four boys selected, already running well this season, it was no less fantastic to see all our juniors put in great performances on Saturday. AJ Lukas finished 6th overall and 3rd GPS. AJ is another athlete managing commitments to two sports in the squad.

Hudson Blackburn and Tobias O’Hea pushed each other the entire race, with a final push in the last section by Hudson, creating some separation over the finish line.

Congratulations to Maxwell Kinchela from Year 7 on his selection in his first season. Maxwell has dedicated himself to training, attending all sessions, both compulsory and optional. The coaches are loving watching his improvement each week.

Finally, as we continue to grow the student as well as the athlete, I would like to acknowledge Marc-Felipe Lewis on his solo drama performance ‘A Day in the Life of Marc-Felipe, an athlete’. It was very engaging and provided the team with a much-needed laugh. We are looking forward to Xavier , Tobias , and Jackson’s performance next week.

I wish all families a lovely long weekend. I hope you get to enjoy some well-deserved rest and look forward to seeing everyone back at training on Tuesday morning.

Special Results

Alexander
1st – 16 Years & Over 50m Butterfly
1st – 16 Years & Over 100m Butterfly
2nd – 16 Years & Over 50m Backstroke
2nd – 16 Years & Over 100m Freestyle
2nd – 16 Years & Over 200m Freestyle
2nd – 16 Years & Over 50m Freestyle
3rd – 16 Years & Over 200m Individual Medley

Ethan
5th – 18 Years 100m Butterfly

Luca
5th – 18 Years 50m Backstroke

This issue elicited introspective responses about decisions, regret, belonging, identity, education, and the power of discernment. Ranging from Hugh Hogg’s tender, poetic exploration of moving to the city to attend boarding school to Caelan Cosgriff’s haunting exploration of the Magdalene Laundries, this issue offers depth, creativity, and reflection. There are delicate representations of father-son relationships, grief, a dash of science fiction and discursive pieces that navigate timeless topics such as the influence of nature and nurture in shaping who we are. Our cover art, a photograph by Year 9 student Nicholas Anastasiadis, is an apt and striking portrayal of the theme.

We extend our congratulations and admiration to all the contributors, who have shared their gifts with our community.