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Observations from Gordon V Easts

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Tom Lawton (22)
Some observations from yesterday's game;

  • How on earth did we win this game when our scrum and lineout were totally inadequate?
  • We won ugly and grinded out the victory displaying spirit and determination. Rah!
  • Ash Goddard's lineout throws were terrible. From what I saw he hasn't done much throwing previously. He looked like someone who the coaches are trying to convert to a hooker but it didn't work yesterday. When Ron Hobden came on the lineout improved markedly.
  • Our scrum got pushed around. I read where Tony Daly is now assisting Parramatta with their scrums so I wonder if anyone took his place at the Highlanders? We need plenty of hard work to get this right. Also memo to young tyro No.8 Harry Rorke - who has returned to rugby after a few years playing league - keep your head in the scrum and push hard son. Too many times he had his head out of the scrum looking to see where the play might go but in the process was not lending weight to a back-peddling scrum.
  • We won the battle of the breakdown with the pigs toiling hard. There were multiple phases where the pick and drive was utilised just prior to Preston diving over for a try.
  • The backs didn't get much opportunity to show their wares but there is plenty of pace out there if they get the opportunity.
  • Solid games from Tobias Gukibau, Ruiradh Wilson, Andrew Chapman, Rohan Pixley, Harry Rorke, Terry Preston, Tom Matthews and Lucas Simkin.
 

AussieDominance

Trevor Allan (34)
Good points :

From what I understand Goddard hasn't played hooker for long previously being a back rower for Parramatta.

Regarding the scrum I don't think as much emphasis has been placed on it this season as previous seasons but I think that will change now. Lefu the big prop is also a new player so will need some work (this will be left up to Mark Philp the 1st grade forwards coach I assume). Nick Fraser and Ben Lawley might be other options if this fails. And hooker options are Ron Hobden and Jim Handlin.

A number of these guys are now entering 3rd and 4th years in the higher grades and hopefully this experience leads to Gordon re gaining momentum in the club championship.
 

Inside Shoulder

Nathan Sharpe (72)
Do you think this thread could be changed to be the Gordon 2015 Thread?

Yes.
But I'll ruin that plan: I thought Easts looked a lot sharper when Angus Pulver got on. i think they need a bit more work from 4-8 inclusive in the tight stuff - which is really where I thought Gordon won it.
 

observer

Tom Lawton (22)
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.
http://www.gordonrugby.com.au/
 

observer

Tom Lawton (22)
Colts Report - Round 1 vs. Easts


With 4 teams and over 80 boys registered for Gordon Colts, this season is already looking promising. The boys took on Easts at Mingara Regional Athletics Centre and from the outset it was evident that the Easts boys weren’t use to not just crossing the Harbour Bridge, but also the Brooklyn Bridge.



3rd XV:
Gordon Colts 3rds won in a tough encounter, 27-15, with stand out performances from Sam Mete (winger), showing some lighting quick feet, Dave Balcomb (fullback), kicking goals from literally anywhere on the field and Jono Burke (hooker), with a tenacious performance up front.



2nd XV:
With the high number of boys registered to play for Gordon this year, it is without doubt that the 2nds Colts are pretty much as good as their counterpart in the 1sts. Coached by a dynamic and slightly contrasting father and son Phipps duo, the 2nds Colts looked slick and sharp straight from the kick off, putting on 2 tries within the first few minutes. However, the sausage rolls that the boys consumed before the game must have kicked in, which saw them slow down a little while Easts levelled the scoring. The boys dominated most of the game, however lapses in concentration became evident for the most part. Final score was a draw 17-17. Honourable mentions go to Jordan Thomas (winger) for scoring a double, and Lachlan Brock (outside centre) for also crossing the line. Well done boys.



1st XV:

Anticipation and a few nerves kicked in for the Gordon 1st Colts as they headed into the sheds to put on their jerseys. Coached under David Telfer, specialist coaches Robbie Barnard and Grant McLellan, and captained by James Lough (number 8), it was clear that the team were out to prove themselves. With nearly half the team being Gordon Juniors they sure didn’t lack cohesion, and through a dominant scrum, a nice pass and a bit of pace, Gordon took the lead 7-0 in the opening moments. However, similar to the 2nds, the 1sts lost concentration and Easts scored a runaway try, levelling the game. Gordon persisted and dominated field position, and off lightening quick ball Dave Smerdon (fly half) put James Dainton (inside centre) through and gap and Dainton drew the fullback and returned the favour to deliver Smerdon with his second try for the day. Gordon 14 Easts 7. With a few fresh legs and a few sausage rolls to regain some energy for the props, Gordon returned in the second half and scored a well-deserved forwards try, pick and driving until Brett Van Zyl (res. number 8) squeezed his way through the two Easts props (what a challenge that was) and gave the Gordon boys another 5 points. A dangerous tackle by Kurtis Quinn (winger) unfortunately saw him in the bin for 10 minutes and Easts capitalised on the opportunity, creating a tight game. Despite the set-back, Gordon rallied and scored a neat double flick pass play down the blind side, eventually ending with Andrew Bligh (fullback) throwing a classy behind the back pass to put Nic Burkett (blind side flanker) in for a meat pie. Gordon scored another try a few minutes later, with strong defensive pressure and a neat pickup saw Sam Tabuatamata (res. Centre) running away with the game, Gordon taking the win 29-19. Other standouts included Jake Pierce (open side flanker) and James Wilkinson (hooker), contributing with storming runs and superb tackles. The boys were a bit rusty singing the club song, so let’s hope that Telfer spends a bit of time coaching the boys in that aspect – if you ever talk to him then ask to see his archive tapes of him dancing in excitement when scoring under the posts and belting the club song at the top of his voice – a real spectacle.



The Gordon Colts now look towards next week’s game against Eastwood at T.G. Milner and are hoping for all Colts grades to get a win. Up the Stags.



Written by David Smerdon (Colts 1 Flyhalf)
http://www.gordonrugby.com.au/index...Colts-Report^Colts-Report-Round-1-v-Easts`245
 
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