Earlier this month the sound of bagpipes echoed around Chatswood Oval for the last time this year. The Gordon’s Grade teams were fired-up for the last round of the season against West Harbour. They ran out to do battle with the West Harbour Pirates with all but one grade side coming out victorious.

Dave Harvey passes

The Gordon players did the Gordon Highlander name proud that day, the last time they played the Pirates only one Grade side came away with a win. Gordon players and fans alike know the strength and honour the Gordon Highlander name carries. Their namesake the Gordon Highlander Regiment is the most decorated regiment in the British army with more Victoria Crosses than any other. The regiment was always composed of young men and was usually the first sent into battle because if its courage and skill.

It has been a year of improvement at Gordon, with young players having improved and honed their skills through their progression from the juniors through to colts and grade. The 1st Grade side had the experienced old heads of Tobias Gukibau, Dave Harvey, Terry Preston, Josh Kiel, Lex Fairley, James Atwill and Mike ‘Nirto’ Cuneen. This blended well with the young players who have progressed from Colts in the last couple of years, namely Tom Matthews, Tom Hill, Dave Tome, Jono Broome, Baz Murphy, Evan Olmstead, Mark Johnston, Mark Williams and Mitch Greenway.

Don’t forget 2nd Grade, they also had a number of players who progressed through the ranks and stepped up this season, young guns Ryan Mathews, Andrew Turner, Jim Handlin, Luke Rissman, Will Shirvington and Hamish McGilvray. Both 3rd and 4th grades also had a number of players progressing up the skill ladder.

Terry Preston finds a gap

Don’t let the Gordon’s 1st Grade position on the ladder fool you; it was far stronger season for the Highlanders than the ladder indicates. Overall Gordon won 7, drew 1 and lost 14 games. Six of the fourteen losses were by less then 10 points and often Gordon was in front until the last 5 minutes. It is a new team that can only get better and has some players with real potential, don’t be surprised if come next year they will turn close losses into wins by playing the full 80 minutes and closing out games.

These young players will benefit from their experience in the higher grades as well as the improved skill coaching development programs the club is putting in place. They will no doubt gain some great experience from the end of season trip to Fiji. So in summation it’s obvious that Gordon are the club to join, watch and support in 2012.

Stay tuned to the Gordon Rugby website for more information about the preseason development program over the next couple of weeks.