Round 5 of the 2008 Premiership took us to meet the boys from Manly on a Friday night at Kierle Park. This was to be a top of the table clash with both Hunters Hill and Manly holding first and second spots on the ladder heading into this week’s fixture.

We received a couple of setbacks early in our preparation as Alex was drafted up to the A's to cover an injury and Hugo fell sick late in the week. But we trained well and with some reserves coming from the C's (Jack Sargeant and Ted Simpson) and D's (Tom Carrette) we were ready for what we expected to be a hard match. Adding to the mix was news that the Manly team had drafted 3 or 4 transferable players from the A's for the game. Tensions were high.

Upon arrival we glanced at the Manly boys in their warm up and my nerves were not lightened when i could actually look at a couple of their forwards eye-to-eye. One was positively HUGE and looked like he ate little inside backs for breakfast. So the game was on. A bit of a pep talk and the boys ran onto the field hungry for victory.

For the first time this year we were aggressive from the opening whistle - competing at the breakdown and running hard. Manly's big guy was running havoc though as he burst through the centre of numerous mauls with the ball and ploughed up the field. but we held out and Harry soon after went for a big run up the flank and we were in next to the posts. Ed duly converted and we lead 7-0.

But the manly boys weren't done as their forwards were much bigger and consistently ran through some would be defence to gain great field position. Our scrum found for the first time they couldn’t dominate in the scrum as they were used to. Midway through the first half and our defence finally capitulated as they spread the ball wide and scored near the corner. The conversion missed and we held them 7-5.

The rest of the first half saw the Hunters Hill boys employ the boot a lot more to gain field position and turn the big Manly pack around. And this proved successful as we gained some sort of ascendency near the end of the first half. Eddie ran in a try right on the bell and Harry just missed the kick from out wide giving us a lead of 12- 5 at half time.

A quick rest and some sagelike advice (play it at their end). and we were back into it. We started strongly and Andrew gave us some breathing room with a try near the posts after about 8 mins of play. Eddie converted and our lead stretched to 14. Score 19-5. but some big runs from Manly and a couple of penalties soon saw us endure a long period of play with Manly attacking. Twice the big unit received the ball from a tap and charged into the Hunters Hill defence - each time to be denied (even if only just), but we finally cracked and they scored out wide. Another missed kick (read sigh of relief from sideline) saw us maintain a 9 point advantage with 6 min to go.

But i need not have worried as some great running from Ted, Max and Andrew in the backs and Dan and Tom in the forwards and we turned this pressure into points as Eddie broke through the centre of the ruck and scored near the posts. Kick successful and we were at 26-10.

A lineout with 15 seconds left on the clock signalled the last play and soon after the ball made it's way into Harry's hands for another of his trademark big runs. Through and around he went to finish under the posts for our second time on the last play. Ed finished the job with flags in the air and it was over. 33 -10.

I couldn't have been happier with the boys effort in this game. I know the backs scored all the points but the effort of the forwards was magnificent. Captain Jake lead from the front and was ably supported by his willing pack. Special mention to the reserves Jack, Tom and Ted whom all played key roles in the victory. As for the backs they too maintained the high standard I've come to expect from them. Eddie (even without fatherly bias) was fantastic at fly half and lead our attacks majestically. He consistently turned the big Manly team around and this showed late in the game as we ran over them. Harry and Andrew both played very well and were unlucky not to gain best and fairest votes this week. But the forwards deserve much of the praise.

So we have now played all teams in our comp and remain on top of the table. But I think the scoreline from this match doesn’t tell the whole story and a couple of late tries made it seem easier than it was.

To continue to build on this momentum i'd ask all parents get their sons to implement a personal fitness regime outside of training ( a run twice a week should do it) - i believe we are presently fitter than the other teams but i don't think we are actually all that fit.

Thanks to the boys whom helped out this week - you are all welcome back anytime and to all the parents whom help out each week.

Final score ; Hunters Hill 33 ( Tries - E.Gregory 2, H.Kemp 2, A.Camilleri 1, Conversions E.Gregory 4/4, H.Kemp 0/1.bt Manly 10 (Tries x2, Conversion 0/2).

Best and Fairest points E.Gregory 3, J.Jamieson 2, D.McElroy-O'Connell 1, T.Conoghan 1.

Next Game is against St Ives, Friday night at Hassel Park, St Ives 6.00pm.

Yours in rugby

Coach Ben