Grade Report Round One vs Easts
1st Grade v. Eastern Suburbs
By Lucas Simkin
Gordon first grade were coming off some good preseason performances, and were looking to put in a strong effort against a good East side. Highlanders started strong, putting numerous phases together and were really stretching the Easts defence. The hard work finally paid off when Terry Preston scored. Highlanders defended their line for around 15 minutes before half time, with Easts not being able to crack the line. Gordon went into the half time break with a slight lead of 5-3. The 2nd half had more of the same, with both teams defending hard and trying everything in attack to try and cross the line. A crucial try to Harry Rorke was converted by Henry Carmichael just after half time and gave the highlanders a little buffer. A special mention must go to Tom Mathews who had an outstanding game, pulling off some very huge defensive efforts. A late try to Sione Ala put the game out of reach for the Easts team. Gordon came away with the win 19-10.
2nd Grade v. Eastern Suburbs
By Hugh Cropley
Second grade was looking forward to the first round of the competition against Easts after a long, hard preseason. After a tough week at training we arrived at Woollahra Oval looking to start the season off with a bang.
Gordon came out firing in the first few minutes with a turnover straight from the kick-off thanks for Michael Hegerty. Gordon maintained good phase play however a few impatient decisions resulted in numerous turnovers throughout the first half. A strong set piece from Gordon kept them in the game in the first half which ended up with Gordon being down 2 tries to 1 at half time.
After the break, Gordon came out with the plan to play with more composure and to stick to our structures. Ultimately, we scored straight away thanks to big Lulu Durant smashing over from a pick and drive, able supported by your scribe.
Easts quickly responded with an intercept try which changed the momentum that Gordon had built up since half time.
Easts got a couple of easy tries at the end which didn’t reflect how close the game was.
This disappointing game ended, 34-19 to Easts.
3rd Grade v. Eastern Suburbs
By James Hackney
Gordon took the field with a strong team on Saturday 21st of March to greet the new season with a bang. Unfortunately, Easts took advantage of early field position and managed to push over from a line out on the 5 metres.
Gordon were looking sharp with a well formed defensive line that rarely showed any signs of weakness. The piggies really worked hard, allowing the back line to add a bit of pace on to the game, finally breaking down the East defensive with a simple play to get the ball out to the wing with a great inside ball from Joe Callaughan to James Hackney to add Gordon’s first points of the season onto the board.
The game opened up from here with a thrilling end to end match starting to form. Easts took a few opportunities, starting to open up the gap between themselves and the travelling side, however after great closed space work from the forwards, edging towards the line, a simple ball from the scrum half Alec Palmer saw Jim Handlin to crash through a few Easts back to give Gordon their next score, closing the half with the Stags looking like strong contenders.
Coming out of half time the game took a different tone with Sam Milgate taking a nasty head injury after what would definitely have been classified as an assault the other side of the fence, as well as Mitchell Lockley taking a solid connection from our very own Tim Lloyd in a contest for the loose ball. With two forwards down, Gordon struggled in the contest up front with the strong East’s pack, making it hard to get a proper grip on the game again. However with points slipping and the game drifting away, James Hackney was the unlikely scorer on the back of a series of pick and go’s from the boys up front. The game really opened up after this with both teams having good opportunities to change the game. Unfortunately in this situation, Easts were the more clinical team, extending their lead beyond the reach of the boys in green.
Although the final scoreboard may not have reflected the graft put in during the game, all the boys really pulled together, producing some great rugby and really showing their true colours by sticking together when the game was looking to get away from them. Not a win, but many positives to bring forward to round 2.
4th Grade v. Eastern Suburbs
By Mitch Lockley
· 4th grade where out to prove the club had turned a corner from last year and could not only field a 4th grade team but a competitive one. Starting strong with great defence holding out a quick starting Easts team who had held the ball for the majority of the first half.
Going into half time Gordon was struggling to get past 3 phases but was only 5-0 down and knew if they could string a few passes together the score could quickly change. The second half was tight with fairly even possession but unfortunately Gordon tired and in the last 8 min of the game easts ran in 24 unanswered points. While it was a positive start, we are never happy with a loss. Good things to come from the mighty 4s.
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