By MARK CASHMAN

Gordon coach Darren Coleman challenged his side to get better after the Highlanders’ 64-0 win over the Western Sydney Two Blues on Saturday.

Gordon scored 10 tries overall to go within a couple of percentage points of topping the Shute Shield ladder after the end of Round Two, but as Coleman said on Sunday that the start and end of their matches needed to improve.

“Our first and last 20-minute blocks were quite poor,” Coleman said.

“I can give some leniency to the last 20 minutes as we had all eight reserves on but our accuracy technically and tactically in the first 20 was unacceptable, as was our ability to not score a point in the last 20.

“In the middle 40 minutes we showed that we can be dangerous when we execute and we scored nine of our 10 tries in that period.

“When our backline clicks it’s fun to watch and another positive was that the team showed pride to not concede a point.”

Coleman was also happy with his side’s scrummaging and the work of flyhalf Rodney Iona.

“Full credit to Two Blues they never gave up and played with pride till the end. They’ll be better for the run and match fitness.

“Iona was tactically astute with his kicking game which kept Two Blues out of our end where they are dangerous. Tom Silk and Harrison Goddard both performed well too.”

Two Blues coach Joel Rivers was gutted after the game.

“Mate definitely one step forward and two backwards,” he said referring to the performance against Manly in Round One.

“The boys were too comfortable, even right through the week of training. I tried to explain that we need to push harder after Manly but it didn’t work.

“Gordon executed their game plan very well and we literally executed nothing. It was horrendous to watch.

“I knew Gordon were a good side and they showed it. Ran us around the field and then went wide, as I knew they would. Our heads were stuck in last week and never in this game.

“The day was just absolutely gutting. Will have to work how we now take another step forward. Our execution of game plan and individual skills in attack and defence was non existent, except for like three of our boys.”

GORDON 64 (Mahe Vailanu, Jordan Goddard, Harrison Goddard 2, Brandon Quinn 2, Tautalatasi Tasi, Ahmu Tuimalealiifano, Reec McDonbald tries; Rodney Iona 7 conversions) d WESTERN SYDNEY TWO BLUES 0 at Chatswood Oval.

IMAGE: ANDREW QUINN /GORDON