Georgie McHugh's Match Report - Round 3
Less than ideal conditions in Sydney on Saturday was the setting for Gordon’s first home game of season 2024 against the Hunter Wildfires. But, the consistent heavy rain could be no excuse for the 1st XV registering their first victory of the season after a couple of near misses in the opening couple of rounds.
A smaller crowd than was hoped for the first game at Chatswood was truly comprised of the true believers as they collectively huddled under cover whilst cheering on the men in tartan.
Given the conditions the teams were confronted with, whoever was able to play tighter and minimise mistakes was going to go a long way to victory. Crucial to that endeavour would be the set piece and tight play of the forwards and clear decision making in the halves to know the right time to take an opportunity.
The game started with the visitors with a stiff southerly at their backs. Gordon found it extremely difficult to get out of their red zone. After five minutes the referee blew one of a multitude of penalties under the new interpretation of a high tackle and the Wildfires opted for the posts. Five minutes later, after a lineout on Gordon’s 22 metre line, another high shot resulted in another three points and the score was 6-0 to the men from the Hunter.
Whilst it is a sensible ploy to take penalties on offer in such slippery conditions, it seemed that Hunter didn’t take full advantage of the wind. When the Highlanders eventually got good ball with their own penalty in the centre of the attacking 10 metre line, Ben Pollack calmly pumped a kick five metres out on the eastern side of the ground. The line out was secured and the resulting maul ploughed over the line with skipper Milan Basson coming up with the ball. Pollack’s magnificent touchline conversion put the home team up by one.
Gordon failed to gather the ensuing kick off and after a couple of phases, the Wildfires were awarded yet another penalty for a supposed high shot 30 metres out and again elected to take the shot at goal to resume the lead. In the highest scoring period of the game, the home team soon recovered the ball inside the attacking 22, with a fantastic chase by winger Oli Arcus off a Barrie Karea kick on his own side of halfway. The Highlanders received their own penalty for a high tackle and opted to kick to the five metre line on the western sign. As with the first try, the lineout was secured and Harry Emery appeared for the world to latch onto the ball as the powerful maul was crashing over the line. However, the try officially went into the book as belonging to hooker Jay Fonokalafi.
In the last ten minutes of the first half the heavens opened up again with the heaviest rain of the afternoon. The sides traded blows and penalties to bounce up and down the park. Gordon tacked on a penalty goal (for yet another high tackle) before doing a magnificent job in defending their own line with the visitors pressing in now torrential rain. With seconds remaining, Fonokalafi secured a turn over a metre out, to see the sides go to the sanctuary of the sheds at half time 15-9.
Shortly after the restart, Gordon recovered the ball in a promising position before a penalty (yes, a penalty for what you are thinking) allowed an attacking line out ten metres from the line. Following a number of phases, Prez Tufuga had the ball under his arm for a routine carry to set up another phase. Whilst he initially had three large defenders on him, they let him go as if his jersey was covered in spiders and he completed the ten steps to score next to the left upright. 22-9 to the men in tartan after five minutes
Joe Snow on for his Gordon debut replaced Emery at halfback immediately after the try, as the floodlights came on at Chatswood. The Highlanders looked the stronger side for the remaining half hour and created several chances, despite having to deal with two yellow cards for what appeared to be very unlucky circumstances with head contact made with the ball carrier as they both were falling in each case.
No more scoring occurred in the game until the 75th minute, as both teams tired. It was Pollack who got the ball under penalty advantage (no, not for that) ten metres out just to the right of the posts, and poked it through the defensive line before regathering to score a very well-deserved try. The game finished 29-9 for a first win of the season for Gordon with a bonus point.
Huge credit for the victory had to go to Fonokalafi, as a crucially hit nearly every lineout in difficult conditions, which led to some devastating rolling mauls, being almost impossible defend in the slippery conditions. His work at the breakdown was first class. The trio of Johnny Akauloa, Jack Margin and Tufuga were brutal in the way they charged into and bent back the Wildfires’ line. And, in a day surely made for front rowers, Fonokalafi combined masterfully with props Liam Usher and Siketi Teavo to give their northern opponents a demanding examination.
Whilst the scoring was dominated by the forwards, a standout was the Highlanders’ stand off. Ben Pollack played his best game in the top grade. With a clarity of mind that takes time to develop, he manoeuvred his team around the field in the extremely trying conditions, until they had the chance to strike.
It would be ironic to call this game a “dry run” for what is hoped to be a well-attended game against Sydney Uni this weekend at Chatswood. Get down to the ground to support your team. And it certainly not too late to get a membership and join the Clan in 2024.
Until the next time we meet, make mine a Grants. Up Gordon!
Georgie McHugh