THE Armidale School’s First XV has retained the GPS Third Grade rugby premiership title after a sound victory over St Ignatius College, Riverview in Sydney on Saturday.
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Playing in sloppy conditions after drenching rain, the country lads defeated their hosts 47-0 in a game full of enthusiasm and control.
Coach Jamie Moore said the emphatic win was a reflection of the season for the boys, who only lost their first match, to Sydney Grammar School.
“The result came from clinical execution and a confidence in each other’s ability,” he said.
“The TAS defence was uncompromising, at times driving Riverview back metres.
“In trying conditions and on a very heavy field they were still able to throw the ball, and was again, a 15 man game.”
The game was one of 13 played between the two schools, and Moore said TAS was very grateful to Riverview the fixtures could proceed given most other GPS rugby fixtures were called off due to anticipated damage to the fields.
“Appreciating the distance all our teams had travelled, Riverview decided the games should go ahead despite the potential churning to the fields, and we are very grateful they made that sacrifice, with a round of rugby still to play,” he said.
With a bye for TAS their final round, the only thing left is to wait for the results of this Saturday’s fixtures which will determine if TAS has won the premiership outright, or jointly with either or both of its top-of-the-ladder colleagues, Sydney Grammar and The Scots College.
“(The premiership) still seems not quite ‘true’ yet and probably won’t sink in until we know the final outcomes,” captain Ben Mulligan said.
“Having lost our two pre-season games against Kinross Wolaroi and Farrer, and then the first competition game against Grammar, getting a win against Joeys turned us around, and everyone has just worked really well together.”
The GPS thirds competition was initiated last year and involves the firsts from TAS, Sydney
Grammar and Sydney Boys’ High and the thirds from the remaining six GPS schools.
