By MARK CASHMAN

It was far from perfect but Gordon coach Darren Coleman came away from their 29-24 win over Eastwood on Saturday with the knowledge that the Highlanders can tough out a game and win.

On a day when the Highlanders secured the club championship (the first time a club has won this other than Sydney Uni in 16 years) and the Sir Roden Cutler Shield, Gordon came from 24-22 behind to grab an important victory on the eve of the finals.

Skipper Jordie Goddard was the one that scored the crucial try which was duly converted by Rodney Iona to give a five point break and the final scoreline.

Eastwood did have their chances throughout the afternoon and at the end but as their coach Ben Batger said it was an opportunity lost.

The Highlanders got out to a cracking start and were up 19-0 after 20 minutes thanks to some nicely constructed tries to Rodney Iona, Oli Smeallie and Jack Dempsey, the Wallaby who started the game.

The Woodies weren’t done though and two tries from scrum half Matt Gonzalez got them back into the contest.

From there a try to Harry Wilson got the Woods within one point of the lead and then Tane Edmed’s penalty goal got them in from 24-22 before the heroics of the back end of the game played out.

Gordon coach Coleman was reflective on the achievements of the club in 2020, in a rebuild that started six years ago.

“I was happy to see the club faithful get some small recognition with the club championship trophy,” Coleman said.

“Int all started five or six years ago when the club started to rebuild the colts program which was on its knees and down to the one team.

“The first grade game was the first decided by a single score and to be honest I’d forgotten how stressful that can be.

“For a long periods of that game the Woods were clearly the better team with all the momentum and I was chuffed to see how our boys held on in the latter stages and showed grit to get it done.

“That sort of resilience is what you need to win in playoffs – that was the most pleasing aspect of the game for me.

“We know that when we get moving we can score points in bunches but to show resolve under pressure was a very pleasing return from that match.

“Can’t wait for an exciting playoff series where anyone can win.”

Batger said at the end of the day he was disappointed with the Woods performance.

“We were horrible in the first 20 minutes and Gordon were very good. Then we had several chances to win the game at the end and failed to take the opportunity.

“However we did fight back from 19-0 down and were right in the contest against the No.1 team so there is plenty of positives too .

“We now take on easts next Sunday who are the form team of the competition. It’s also a repeat of last year’s preliminary final, so If history is anything to go by it’s going to be a classic battle again.”

GORDON 29 (Jack Margin, Jack Dempsey, Rodney Iona, Oli Smeallie tries; Iona 3 conversions, pen goal) d EASTWOOD 24 (Matt Gonzalez 2, Harry Wilson tries; Tane Edmed 3 conversions, pen goal) at TG Millner Field.

IMAGE: ANDREW QUINN / GORDON