The Golds celebrated the arrival of the new team pooper-scooper in style with a committed performance against a brave and determined Crosfields outfit. The Golds were asked to look at how they started last weeks game slowly and get stuck in with their tackling from the outset today. In particular they were asked to contribute as a team rather than as individuals. All put their best efforts in and can take all the credit for winning todays game.

Another early kick off for Golds and thankfully a cooler morning for the players than recent weeks. Lead out by Lucas who marked his recent birthday with his annual haircut, the Golds started with the ball and despite some determined running from Jack G, James and Logan, were kept out on set 1 by some well drilled Crosfields tackling. The acid test of the Golds resolve on the oppositions turn with the ball, and a coach pleasing effort kept the Crosfields team pinned in their own half for the full set for a turnover in good field position, Lucas demonstrating that he still has the sweet feet despite losing the Brett Kenny locks with a well taken try. Another set for Crosfields and more determined tackling from the Golds, with some notable efforts from more reluctant tacklers to keep Crosfields scoreless again. Last set of the ten and a great bit of footwork and strong running from Jack G and a sweet offload in the tackle created space for the human cannonball Logan who shot over down the right hand side. Another 6 committed tackles, with a great chase back by never-say-die George and Logan to kill a break on the last tackle forcing the Crosfields danger man over the touchline and we head to the first break with a 2-0 advantage.

A quick chat about keeping the defence going and not starting the water fight just yet, and back into action. Alfie on as sub followed up his big talk at training with some thundering hits in defence, going for the legs and wrapping up some Crosfields attacks before they had started in set 1, with a notable run from Crosfields smallest player drawing big applause from the home crowd. Who was first up with the ball for Golds? SANTIAGO! Our South American enigma taking the ball up like a veteran and laying out an Amazonian offload into the hands of George who swerved to the left, stepped to the right, shot through the middle for a try at full flight. Yet another sterling effort in defence, a cruncher from Logan and more great wrapping up of the legs from Alfie and Jack B to keep the visitors tryless still after 5 sets with the ball. A fabulous run down the left from Millie, so nearly breaking clear for her first try before being just pushed into touch set the field position for Jimmy, demonstrating his now traditional holiday Mohican, to belt in at the corner. Last set for Crosfields of the ten and at last the Golds defence was cracked. A lesson for some junior players watching that the size doesn’t matter, Crosfields fantastic little No2 stepping, swerving and ducking under 5 challenges for a lovely try out on the right hand side. Kaiden completed the ten with a well taken try from another Jack G offload.

Into the final 3rd with a 5-1 advantage. Time for our newly found defensive battering ram to match his big training talk with the ball and oh how he did so, Alfie steamed onto his first ball in a straight line, right up the middle and outpaced the trailing defence for his first try of the season. Great effort Alfie and surely more to come from this improved and determined performer. Golds early defensive efforts caught up with them as a try from a rugby union-style 18 man ruck and maul down the left for Crosfields got them back into the game. More brave running in set 2 however from Jack G, Santi, Adam and Kaiden left the Golds on the Crosfields line for Jimmy, demonstrating mesmorising footwork, to scoot over for his second try of the game. A clean break from tackle 1 next set and Crosfields no 13 took a try out wide well, brushing off desperate challenges from Mille and Lucas to squeeze in at the corner.

Back up to the other end and once again a great charge from improving Santi and a typical bullocking run from Jack B set some strong field position for Paramatta man Lucas to show his silky footwork and race over out left, bundling over the brave Crosfields no2 to get over the line. Now what happened to that defence from earlier? Well, the Golds put the water fight to the back of their minds for a moment and again Alfie, Jack B and Jack G got stuck in, ably supported by their team mates to keep Crosfields out for the set, despite a late break as the Crosfields lad unfortunately did everything to get round the outside but forgot to keep hold of the ball as he crossed the line! One last set for each team, and here came chief ducker-and-weaver Kaiden to pop up for a typically determined score, doing very well to touch the ball down behind his head despite a strong tackle, Crosfields rounding off the scoring with a late score again from an offload out of a 9 man tackle.

So after last weeks drama, the Golds played the game in a more controlled style this week, scoring and tackling strongly from the outset. Most pleasing was the contribution from some players who often have stood back and let the usual suspects do all the tackling – real signs of team work and spirit showing what a tight group of playing buddies the Golds are becoming. Also pleasing was the pooper scooper staying in its bag in its debut week. One more game before the summer break to go!