By MARK CASHMAN

Gordon underlined their premiership credentials once again with an eight tries to one and 50-7 win over the Hunter Wildfires in the 7TWO TV match of the round on Saturday.

It was the coming together of the coaching Coleman brothers – Darren and Scott – for the first time in a game that had a great back story and oodles of banter.

The game and all the banter probably panned out the way that I had expected with the Highlanders getting away to quite a substantial victory and the home side competing hard for the entire 80 minutes.

“It was a proud moment for the family,” Scott ‘Bubba’ Coleman said.

“I just wish we could have competed a bit better. I’m bitterly disappointed to be honest.

“At half-time we were in it and could have troubled them and maybe sprung an upset. You can’t fault our blokes commitment. It is just our execution at the moment.”

Shawn Ingle, the young South African born opensider was in everything, prop Dave Puchert pulled off a couple of big shots and carted the ball forward, while the Wildfires try scorer George Noa consistently got over the advantage line.

But three quick tries just after halftime really stacked the game in the Highlanders favour.

Older brother Darren said it was a great weekend in Newcastle that had been taxing on and off the field.

“The facility and organisation in and around the game were top shelf,” Coleman said praising what is happening with the game in the Hunter.

“Obviously personally pretty special to coach against my brother and have a big family event over the weekend.

“Hunter were a physically tough team. They whacked us regularly and have been the most physical team we’d played thus far.

“We actually have a quite a medical list to deal with on the back of the game.

“We got over for three quick tries after halftime to make it 43-7 and still yet to bring on a full fresh bench with regular starters so the score could’ve really blow out.

“Full credit to them – they never threw in the towel and we scored only one more try in the 80th minute.”

Darren added that it was a good opportunities for some non-regulars to get some big minutes in the top grade.

Ola Tauelangi, prop Bosco Tagaloa, flanker Jack Maguire were among Gordon’s best and are sure to cause some election headaches this week against a West Harbour side that has hit some form.

GORDON 50 (Jack Maguire 2, Brendan Mitchell, Harrison Goddard, Ellis Abrahams, Tautalatasi Tasi, Joshua Nercessian, Lucas Price tries; Rodney Iona 5 conversions) d HUNTER WILDFIRES 7 (George Noa try; Michael Moloney conversion).

IMAGE: KAREN WATSON