Rowing

With the first regatta of the season (1 November) cancelled due to weather conditions out at Penrith, last weekend The Downer Trophy was competed between The King’s School and Newington College. The trophy was first raced in 1945 and for the first time since 1998, Newington won it outright.

In a new format – match racing rather than a time trial – the crews raced head to head down the Parramatta River, each crew trying to win a point to go towards the aggregate score. The 3rd IV beat the King’s crew by over 30 seconds; the 2nd IV lost the next race but the 1st IV won and set up the eights’ races well. The 2nd VIII victory secured the points and then the 1st VIII crossed the line in front in a close race, and this meant that King’s had to relinquish the trophy.

It was good to hear the ringing of the victory Bell four times. The breakfast was a great success and an enjoyable occasion, and thanks goes to all the parents who worked hard to ensure it went well.

In the Head of the Parramatta, a time trial held just prior to the Downer Trophy races, the Junior 1st VIII came 3rd by only 5 seconds in their category; the Junior 2nd VIII came 2nd as did the Junior 3rd VIII so a good set of results to start the season. The Year 9 and Year 8 Quads trained in Hen and Chicken Bay.

Next week, Newington hosts the regatta out at SIRC where all crews, except the Year 8s, will compete.

Summer Sport Captains

The 2014/15 Summer Sport Captains were recently announced.

Basketball – Connor Miller (11/KL)

Cricket – Fergus McKenna (11/JN)

Rowing – Aidan Sullivan (12/JN)

Tennis – Mark Perri (11/PR)

Water Polo – Wil Cotterill (12/LE)

Congratulations to these boys on their leadership roles.

Cricket

Two Newington Cricket players in the U15 age group Tom Whitnall (8/PR) and Nick Amos (9/JN) were selected in the GPS squad to trial for the CIS U15 Years Team. We’re pleased to report that Nick Amos has progressed to the final stage of CIS Trials to be held in February 2015. We congratulate Nick on his performance as well as acknowledge Tom Whitnall’s efforts in representing Newington and GPS cricket with merit.

The 2014/15 GPS Cricket season started well for the Newington 1st and 2nd XI teams in their one day fixture against St Ignatius’ College. Batting first, both Newington teams scored heavily with the 2nd XI scoring 224 and sealing victory in the last over. The 1st XI scored 4/260 in warm conditions and was able to manage the weather and the opposition batsmen to record a good win. Well done to both teams on the start to the season.

Special mention to the following boys who have produced some outstanding individual performances

2nd XI batsman Arthur Baris (10/ME) who scored 104 against the Shore School

1st XI batsman Jordan Gauci (11/FL) who scored 139 off 139 balls against Riverview

14A batsman Ben Leung (7/KL) who scored 134 against St Joseph’s College

14B bowler Harrison Longbottom (7/PR) who took a hat trick against Sydney Grammar

On Saturday 8 November Newington U15s Cricket hosted Scotch Oakburn College, from Launceston, Tasmania. Batting first, Scotch scored 129/9 from 30 overs v New 103/7 from 24 overs in heatwave conditions. Unfortunately, in what was promising to be a tight match, an electrical storm saw play finish early. It was great to see the fantastic spirit in the game. Well done to the Newington boys, some of whom played in an earlier game against Riverview. Special praise to Mr Harrison Cox for his outstanding efforts.

Rugby

The following Newington boys have been selected in various regional Junior U15 and U17 Gold Squad after two weeks of trials. The boys will train over summer, with games in the New Year.

Year 7

• Lucas Dorrell (7/MO)

Year 8

• Simione Afeaki (8/KL)
• Angus Bell (8/KL)
• William Serhon (8/FL)

Year 9

• Harry Dickens (9/LE)
• James Haldane (9/JN)
• Chris Icanovski (9/KL)
• Liam Janson (9/PR)
• Rory Lynch (9/ME)
• Sam Maley (9/KL)
• Patrick McCormack (9/KL)
• Jordan Paea (9/LE)

Year 10

• Isaac Lewis (10/MO)
• Tyrone Taukamo (10/ME)
• James Turner (10/MO)

 Tennis

The GPS Top Six Tennis tournament was held at The King’s School on Saturday 1 November. Unfortunately the event did not get completed because of late afternoon storms. The format for this year changed with players grouped in pools, in three divisions, competing in a round robin format. At the end of the pool matches Julian Panagopoulos (10/LE) and Daiki Tanabe (10/FL) progressed through to the semi-finals, both undefeated in Division 1. Mark Perri (11/PR) was undefeated in the Division 2 event, and Eric Liu (8/JN) remained undefeated in Division 3. Unfortunately this is where the event was called off. Very good performances by the aforementioned boys.

Water Polo

The GPS/CAS Water Polo has commenced with Newington teams starting the season well with victories over St Joseph’s College, Barker College and Cranbrook. The College’s U16 and U14 age groups have been training well and are developing strong combinations in the water.

The following Newington boys have been selected in the GPS Water Polo teams to represent GPS at the upcoming CIS trials, well done boys.

• Byron Blaik (11/LE)
• Elliott Collins (10/JN)
• Christian Poidevin (10/LE)
• Rory Williams (10/KL)
• Chaz Poot (10/MO)
• Ned Churchyard (9/ME)