Both sides started strongly, completing their sets and containing their opposition attack in the middle 60 metres.

Gloucester scored first when a well judged kick in goal by Mick Edmonds saw lock Kurt Gudgeon easily beat the defence to force the ball. The Gloucester halves Todd Ritter and Mick Edmonds were dominating in attack with slick passing and direction.

Gloucester received a penalty on the 20 metre mark and Ritter turned the ball back across the ruck to pick up centre Jay Ferrie to crash across for the Magpies second try near the left hand corner.

It wasn’t long before Ritter again saw a weakness in the Hinton defence and took the attack to the opposite side of the field to send full back Brodie Rinkin over. Hinton were next to score from a scrum when two defenders fell off a simple tackle. This was to be the pattern of Hinton's tries, as all their points were scored from set plays.

Gloucester hit back immediately when Edmonds timed a precise short ball to the hard running Jacob Rinkin. Hinton kept in touch when their big back tower scored untouched from a scrum. Gloucester went to the half-time break with a healthy 26-12 lead when Riley Collins took the ball close to the line and off loaded the ball under plenty of attention to Josh Upward.

Hinton were first to score in the second half when their big second rower crossed again after the Hornets forced a line drop out and received a penalty inside the Gloucester 20 metres.

The second half became a scrappy affair with the Magpies forced to defend for long periods. Outstanding tackling by Kurt Gudgeon and Josh Upward forced handling errors in the Hinton attack, and Gloucester finished the game in good field position.

A trademark try by Craig Murray from dummy half capped off a fine game in defence and attack by the Gloucester hooker. Magpies elder statesman, Glenn O’Davis finished off any Hinton comeback with a field goal, and turned back the clock with a show and go on the inside to turn the ball outside to Scott Wratten to score.

The final score was 35-18 to the Magpies. This was a good hit out by Gloucester against a side that grinds away for a full 80 minutes. Some good defence and attack was spoiled by defensive lapses during set plays. This, I’m sure, will be addressed over the next few weeks.

Gloucester will play Stroud on Saturday, May 5 at Bert Gallagher Oval with a 2:30pm start.

Players Player - Kurt Gudgeon 

3 Points - Kurt Gudgeon 

2 Points - Josh Upward

1 Point - Riley Collins