Hills hold second

By Stuart Teather
ENDEAVOUR Hills came out second best in the top-of-the-table Victorian Rugby Union clash with Geelong on Saturday, going down 26-15.
It was Geelong’s second win over the Hills in as many meetings this season, firming the Hills’ place as the second best side of the competition.
It what was a likely grand final preview, Geelong stamped itself as the premiership favourite with an impressive display on their home pitch.
Geelong had the wind in the first half and got an early try to take the lead but the Hills were never far off the pace, keeping the margin close up to half-time.
But in the second half Geelong’s superior organisation began to show through, and the ladder-leaders pushed away from the Hills, eventually recording an 11-point win.
Under-16s coach Anthony Nelson was at the game, and he said the Hills had their chances to grab the lead.
“Endeavour Hills made Geelong look a lot better than they are, the game was there for the taking,” he said.
“Once the backline got moving they scored two good tries through the backline, and they showed Geelong’s weaknesses up.”
Nelson said the big road trip out to Geelong may have impacted on the Hills’ players.
“We’ve had to play Geelong twice, down there on their home ground, travel is the big thing.
“When our As travel down to Geelong it’s a big trip down there, I think the factor of travelling is the difference.
“It might’ve been a different game if it was an Endeavour Hills home game.”
Meanwhile the Hills’ B-team bounced back from their forfeit with a comfortable 22-5 win against bottom side Warrnambool.
This Saturday the Hills have a double-header at Frog Hollow Reserve, with the B-team taking on Powerhouse at 1.30pm and the A-team facing Eltham from 3pm.