27/06/2009 Hillies Flatten Hills

Hunters Hill Rugby's march toward promotion continued at the weekend with 5 commanding victories over the Hills Rugby Club at Boronia Park.

In First Grade, Hunters Hill produced their first shut-out in a number of years, punishing Hills 45-0 on a muddy Boronia still recovering after the recent heavy rain. It was a great team display, with the fitness of the forward pack and the pace in the backline picking the Hills team apart. New Zealand pair Sam McLennan and Sam Henry scored 25 points between them as the Black and Whites looked to attack at every opportunity . With No. 8 Alex Light, flyhalf Dave Marshall and outside backs Dan Casa and Matt Lane also crossing, Hillies looked in great form, with man of the match Henry continuing his fine booting tally, scoring 5 from 7 conversions. The result leaves Hunters Hill 1st Grade still unbeaten at Boronia and a clear second on the table with a decisive game in hand.

The lower grades of Hunters Hill continue to set the benchmark in the competition and four victories on Saturday were well executed. In the Seconds Alex Vertoudakis continued his irresistible form at openside flanker in a 14 points to 8 victory, his first as Captain.

With Jono Gelling celebrating his 100th grade match in the Thirds, Hunters Hill continued their unbeaten run this season in a 33 point to nil drubbing. The Thirds have yet to concede a try at home in 2009.

With a number of players returning from either injury or retirement Hunters Hill Fourth grade bounced back from the previous week's loss to Petersham in a 24 points to nil result. Hayden Brown stood out as the anchor of the Black and WHite scrum while Scott Keenan enjoyed some extra space a outside centre in another 5 star performance. In the Fifths, Hunters Hill secured a 19 points to 8 victory to begin the day with a spark.

Hunters Hill now prepares for one of the biggest games of the season this weekend against Balmain at Blackmore Oval Leichhardt.

Jules Arndt