Chatswood oval was the scene of some spectacular play this saturday.
Wicks won a scrappy fourth grade 38 - 15 .
Gordon out enthused in a scrappy Third grade win 36-17. A note to the wicks coach would include 'anyone making a break should look to pass straight after'.
So far Gordon had conned Wicks into scrappy play and if this was to continue through the upper grades then results would not be good.
Thankfully, second grade stayed on their training manual and led 38-7 at halftime. The 7 for Gordon came from an intercept which if not taken was a try in the other direction.
After the half, another intercept had Gordon at - 14. I think the end result was 67 - 33 as Gordon fought all the way but were never really in the hunt.
The seven and two for Wicks were good and the colts 8 went on near the end for a taste of second grade and certainly looked at home.
First Grade
Having watched the Easts -Gordon game where the Gordon 7 had a blinder and the pack hasseled all day, it was pleasing to see Wicks spread the ball early for a try to 13 (i think )after a good pass by 10. Shortly after Wicks went in again off the back of a scrum in a soft try.
The Wicks backs were very up tempo and playing at pace which seemed to get to Gordon . Gordon fought back hard but as they applied pressure they lost the ball and Wicks capitalised on the turnover for a length of the field try.
Wicks were very good in defence, hitting hard and frustrating Gordon.
A great interchange between winger and prop almost gave Wicks another before the hooker tiptoed ,dogded,stopped,proped and scored to have the score at 28-0 at half time. The Wicks halfback was doing a great job in cover defence and stopped many a Gordon breakout.
The second half saw both teams spend 10 minutes softening each other up and there were bodies lying down everywhere, with Gordon hard on attack. Two phases and they scored 28-7 . Gordon had their tails up but kept letting the Wicks off the hook with spilt ball. After some prolonged pressure the Wicks 10 showed very good footwork to score under the posts.
Gordon replied with a try near the posts after a great take and run from their 2. Sore 35-14.
The final score was 49- 21 to the Wicks .
IMO the 6,7 and 8 were outstanding for wicks, 10 and 13 were also very good. For Gordon the 4 and 5 were always in the thick of it and the 10 marshalled as well as he could as he was hounded by the Wicks back three.
I would hope that the Coach is well pleased.
It was good to see a respectable crowd at the oval and Gordon are certainly looking like they are on the ' up' and playing with passion.