SCOTT Coleman is not used to being on the losing end of the scoreline and the eight-time premiership-winning NHRU coach couldn't hide his disappointment after the Hunter Wildfires were humbled 50-7 by Shute Shield heavyweights Gordon at No.2 Sportsground on Saturday.
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The loss continued the Wildfires' torrid initiation to the Shute Shield, but it also meant older brother Darren earned bragging rights until at least next season.
It was the first time the brothers have coached against each other.
Darren's Gordon entered the match undefeated and produced other clinical display. They were accurate at the breakdown, had players in motion and their support play was superb.
The Wildfires are still chasing their first win.
"It was a proud moment for the family," Scott said. "I just wish we could have competed a bit better."
Darren admitted it was a different experience.
"When you are a coach you want to be merciless, but when your brother is on the others side, I was happy with 40 to 50 points," he said. "I didn't want it to blow out. "They were really physical and tough and fought hard."
It was an all too familiar story for the home side.
The Wildfires were physical, competed hard but lacked the execution to constantly trouble the home side.
"I'm bitterly disappointed to be honest," Scott said. "At half-time we ere in it and could have troubled them and maybe sprung an upset. You can't fault our blokes commitment. It is just our execution."
Outside centre Tautalatasi Tasi put the visitors ahead from the kick-off. The Highlanders worked up-field, recycling the ball quickly, forwards linked with the backs and 12 phases later Tasi crossed in the left corner.
The Wildfires hit back eight minutes later to grab the lead. A penalty sent them deep into the Gordon 22 metres. They won the lineout and three phases later No.8 George Noa crashed over. Michael Moloney converted for 7-5.
The held the lead until the 20th minute but two Gordon tries in three minutes swung momentum. The Highlanders added another on the stroke of half-time after Wildfires captain Adam Edwards was sinbinned for a professional foul to lead 24-7 at the break.
The home side were in the contest and with a strong wind at their back in the second half, Scott Coleman was optimistic.
But those hopes were soon quashed when halfback Harrison Goddard broke free up the middle of the field and sent Josh Nercessian over. Iona added the extras for 31-7.
"When we scored those two quick tries after half-time, it could have got ugly but they never quit," Darren said. "They stayed in it and made us work hard for the points."
The Wildfires continued to battle away. Breakaway Shawn Ingle was in everything, prop Dave Puchert pulled off a couple of big shots and carted the ball forward, while Noa consistently got over the ad-line.
But they had no answer to the size and power of the Highlanders, who finished with eight tries.
In the lower grades, Gordon pipped the Wilsdfires 24-18 in second grade and were far too good in colts 62-0.
However, the Wildfires women ensured it wouldn't be a clean sweep for the visitors, smashing Gordon 53-0. The win was the second straight following a 17-12 victory on Sydney Uni (2).
In other Shute Shield games, Randwick were too strong for Southern Districts 34-5, West Harbour recorded their first win, edging past Manly 22-19, Warringah hammered Penrith 49-17 and Sydney University overpowered Eastwood 36-26.