Viewpoint

The regatta was a successful day for the Riverview crews with following crews winning:

The overall success of the day is the result of the efforts of the wider Riverview Community, including the Rowing Program Coordinator, Mr Dan Noonan, the Advancement, Facilities and ICT Departments, the rowing coaches, parents and Old Boys. Many of these spend a great deal of time prior to the regatta organising and preparing for race day. Rowing NSW also supplies a team of Boat Race Officials who run the racing on the day.

This Saturday the Junior Crews are competing at the Sydney Grammar School Regatta at Hen and Chicken Bay while the GPS 1st and 2nd Eights, Fours and the 10.1 and 10.2 are competing in the NSW Championship Regatta.

These events will be livestreamed on the Rowing NSW webpage HERE .

A change of pace turned the momentum. Angus King was introduced to take the speed off the ball, and the shift worked. He removed the dangerous Vinod, ending a damaging innings and slowing the scoring rate. From there, the spinners controlled the middle overs. They built pressure, worked through Kings’ top order and gave Riverview a genuine chance to keep the total under 200.

In the field, the effort stood out. Chances were taken, energy stayed high, and we definitely out-fielded Kings. A couple of late partnerships pushed the score beyond 200, but Nicolli Thompson produced one of the strongest death bowling spells of the season. His control under pressure earned him four wickets and helped restrict Kings to 232, a total that remained within reach.

Chasing 233 was never going to be easy. Kings’ opening bowlers are among the strongest in the competition and they showed why. Both Riverview openers were dismissed without troubling the scorers and early pressure mounted quickly. Archie Owens looked to counterattack but fell to a contentious LBW decision.

A stabilising partnership was needed. Xavier Quoyle took responsibility again and began to rebuild - first with Hugo Gaudry and then with Jude Feilen. They worked the ball into gaps, rotated strike, and steadily brought the required rate back under control. With 16 overs remaining, Riverview needed just over a run a ball and were in a strong position.

Quoyle’s dismissal for 64 shortly after the last drinks break shifted the momentum again. From there, the pressure increased and wickets fell at crucial moments. Riverview were eventually bowled out for 173.

Despite the result, the growth in this group is clear. The fight, the discipline through the middle overs, and the belief in the chase reflect a side that has taken real steps forward. The next challenge is against Grammar. If the boys bring the same intent, control the key moments, and execute the basics with precision, they will give themselves every chance.

GPS 2nd XI Cricket Report – Round 10
Saint Ignatius’ College Riverview 10/135 (48.5) defeated The King’s School 10/127 (33.4)

Archer Mason – 33 (52)
Hamish O’Brien – 6/15 (8.4)

Riverview produced a determined all-round performance to secure an eight-run victory over King’s in a tightly contested match at the SIC Campus, keeping their season alive. After being sent into bat, the boys found scoring difficult against a disciplined King’s attack that bowled tight lines and rarely allowed momentum to build. Partnerships were hard earned, but valuable contributions, highlighted by Archer Mason’s composed 33 (52) helped push the total to 135, a score the group felt gave us a fighting chance.

With the ball, Riverview began superbly. The opening spells applied immediate pressure, and wickets fell at regular intervals, reducing King’s to 5/78. Just as the game appeared to swing our way, a blistering counterattack from King’s No.6, who struck 49 (31), appeared to take the game away from us. The next turning point though came through Hamish O’Brien, whose cleverly disguised slower ball removed the set batter, well caught on the boundary. Two more wickets in the following three balls shifting the momentum dramatically back in Riverview’s favour.

O’Brien finished with outstanding figures of 6/15, supported brilliantly by opening partner Jack Maher. Together, the pair delivered an extraordinary passage of play, combining for five consecutive overs without conceding a run and ultimately claiming 5 wickets for 0 runs during that spell. It was a patient, relentless display that reinforced the message that a game is never over until the final run is scored and the final wicket is taken - a fitting reward for the group’s resilience and belief.

15Bs

This was one of the games you play cricket for. The result came down to the final ball, with Kings needing three runs to win. They held their nerve, ran hard, and crossed for the winning runs to steal the match in dramatic fashion.

Riverview had controlled large parts of the game and built what looked like a comfortable lead. The boys executed well for long periods and applied pressure in key moments. To lose from that position hurts. At the same time, credit must go to Kings for the way they stayed in the contest and finished the job under pressure.

There were strong individual performances throughout the day. Sam McKay set the tone with his intent and composure. Wilby made a major impact and lifted the group when momentum started to shift. James Frankish delivered when the team needed stability, and Liam’s contribution added real value in critical passages of play.

The result stings, especially when you are one ball away from victory. Still, this was a high-quality contest played in the right spirit. These are the games that build resilience and sharpen your decision making under pressure.

16B

Riverview 16B extended their unbeaten run with a composed and disciplined performance against a strong Kings outfit, moving to 8 and 0 for the season. This was a complete team effort, built on shared contributions and control in key moments.

Batting first, Riverview posted 148 for 7 from 29 overs. The innings was built through partnerships rather than reliance on one player. William Rees Woods led the way with 23, while Alexander Blaney added 21. Toby Lau made a valuable 19, Tom McAvoy contributed 17, and Hugh Hogg finished unbeaten on 19. Angus McNamee remained 12 not out, ensuring the innings closed with stability and momentum. The focus on rotating strike and building stands kept the scoreboard moving throughout.

Defending the total, the bowlers delivered with discipline and clarity. The spinners controlled the middle overs and prevented Kings from building any rhythm. Alexander Blaney’s six overs cost only 17 runs and included two maidens, a spell that applied sustained pressure. Rees Woods struck three times while maintaining control, and Lucas Ball claimed two important wickets at crucial stages.

Support spells from Bastian Klok, Angus McNamee, Albe Stephens, and Tom McAvoy maintained intensity and ensured there were no easy runs on offer. Kings were restricted to 128 for 9 from their 29 overs.

The fielding effort set the standard. Hugh Hogg took four catches, and the overall energy in the field reflected a group working hard for each other. Pressure was applied consistently, and chances were taken when they came.

This was another strong win built on teamwork, discipline, and composure against quality opposition.

Highlights:

Unfortunately for our team, his opponent was every bit as good; the match finished all square and the spoils were shared. The show was stolen by the debutant from Coffs Harbour, Jimmy Ward, whose steady hand secured Riverview’s only outright victory for the weekend. Well played, Jimmy! Not only did the boys put up an excellent fight against some prodigious talent from Knox, but they also held themselves with their usual good humour and sportsmanship around the golf course. A similar theme prevailed for the rest of the squad at Lane Cove, with some good golf played and good laughs shared. Tomorrow’s match will be played against King's at North Ryde– good luck to all and enjoy the weekend.