Viewpoint

In what’s traditionally one of the toughest rounds of the season against SJC, our boys dug deep and delivered in all sorts of ways. We had some scoreboard wins as I’ve noted above, we saw a consistent display of defensive resolve, which speaks to our mindset being en pointe, we had a sprinkling of attacking flair, and our Riverview boys showed plenty of character in the face of adversity. Often, we get some heavy losses over this fixture but largely that was not the case. Some games slipped away by the finest of margins. We came away proud of the way we played, across the whole rugby program.

We also welcomed Sydney Grammar School (SGS), as has become customary during these Joeys rounds. While the number of Grammar teams has gradually declined in recent years, those who take the field bring genuine passion and a strong competitive spirit.

Several of our lower division teams rose to the occasion, facing highly rated opposition with grit and determination. The 3rd XV secured a strong victory in a tightly contested match that saw moments of real tenacity from SGS. The 5th XV and 16Es also recorded impressive wins, highlighting the growing depth across our U16 and Opens squads—with only two losses in those divisions for the day.

The 15Cs and 13Es (who played against Grammar’s A side) rounded out what was a very positive overall set of results.

TOP 5 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK

1st XV – A Statement Win on First Field

It’s always a special occasion when we host Joeys on First Field—but this one felt particularly meaningful. After several years playing at Leichhardt Oval, it was a welcome return to familiar surroundings.

The 1st XV rose to the moment with a performance marked by maturity, composure, and belief. Defensively, they remained consistently strong, with only a couple of brief lapses that Joeys capitalised on with impressive tries. The boys’ line speed, trust in one another, and trademark Riverview resilience proved decisive in holding Joeys out at crucial moments.

Our defensive pressure also created opportunities, forcing errors that we converted into points. In attack, the team demonstrated good variety and composure, converting all kicks and ultimately claiming a 34–26 win. While the final scoreline was close, Riverview controlled large stretches of the match with authority.

But as Mr Tannock pointed out at the after-match supper, Joeys never gave up. This win was a strong message sending the 1st XV to the top of the table at the half way mark of the GPS Comp and showed that when Riverview rugby is connected and committed, anything is possible.

15A – A First-Ever Win Against Joeys
The first time is always memorable and for these young men, the win against St Josephs was a moment years in the making. The 15As recorded their first-ever win against a Joeys team, and they did it with confidence. Their preparation throughout the week was excellent and they have been a focused unit. Their execution on Saturday matched all the hard work they’ve put in and the belief that has been building in the squad. They played direct, fast and unrelenting rugby, and when the final whistle blew, the outpouring of emotion said it all. A moment this team of young Riverview men will treasure.

16A & 16B – Back-to-Back Wins Over Joeys
Not many teams can say they’ve beaten Joeys twice in a row, but the 16As and 16Bs can certainly say as much. After wins in the final round of 2023 as U15’s, they repeated the feat on Saturday in impressive fashion. The As were composed, physical and clever in how they played. They were uncompromising in the pack and the backs ran into holes and kicked adroitly. The Bs matched that energy with relentless pressure and smart game management. These are two groups who’ve been very tight and have grown up together on the field and are making much smarter game management choices. There’s some really excellent players in both these squads and their cohesion as a year group is starting to shine. It's one thing to beat Joeys; it's another thing to do it again . We can confidently look forward to a good couple of years with these young Riverview men.

13D – Debut Delight and Pure Joy
For many of the 13D team, Saturday marked their first taste of the 120+ years rivalry with St Joseph’s College. But if there were any nerves, they didn’t show. The boys came out firing and played with heart, enthusiasm, and that classic D-team spirit. When the final whistle blew, the celebration could be heard from the car park. It was a result, and a moment that reminded us all why grassroots footy matters. For these players, it was a lifelong memory made in their very first Joeys fixture. Well done boys it’s a great benchmark to set.

Joint Award: 12C & 9th XV – Comebacks, Grit and Glory
The 12C team took on King’s 12 A team just seven weeks ago and were beaten by 45 points. Fast-forward to Saturday, and in one of the more remarkable turnarounds of the season, they flipped the script with a stunning win against the same TKS side. That kind of improvement speaks volumes about coaching, effort and belief. Meanwhile, the mighty 9th XV, a squad chock full of characters with a capital ‘C’, took the field in what may well be their last game on the hallowed ovals at SIC Riverview, depending on fixtures in the second part of the comp. On their last game on home soil, the lads delivered a gutsy win over Joeys. It was a game built on character, nothing fancy, just a group of mates defending their line and playing for each other. They only got up by a couple of points, but the history book now records a “W”. The 9ths win was a fitting send-off for a team that’s bringing a joy for the game’s sake, mateship and Riverview spirit to every match.

So overall, Saturday was a great day for Riverview Rugby. Strong performances, meaningful wins, and signs of real growth across the program. As we shift focus toward the final Term 2 fixture this weekend at home versus Newington College, there’s plenty to build on, and even more to be proud of.

Yes, I would’ve taken that.