Gordon, Srama lead Philippines to victory over Thailand

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Gordon, Srama lead Philippines to victory
Adam Gardini

Jetstar Gold Coast Titans duo Kevin Gordon and Matt Srama helped the Philippines to an 80-0 thrashing of Thailand in the historic first ever rugby league International in Asia on Sunday.

Representing the Philippines for the first time at the Royal Thai Police Stadium in Bangkok, Gordon scored two tries while Srama scored a try and kicked seven goals for a personal haul of 18 points.

The pair also celebrated the historic occasion by playing alongside their brothers - Dennis Gordon and Luke Srama - who also got in on the scoring action.

Luke was also the captain of the side in what marked the first time he and his brother had played rugby league together.

http://www.titans.com.au

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The genesis of Thai and Philipines RL is big news for our region. Our game would greatly benefit from their existence.

I want to applaud the Titans and Matt and Kevin for being involved. Well done for supporting international footy. This is one of the reasons why I signed up as a Titans fan. I want to see our club, when possible to support other areas of the game.

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Steve Mascord was there and took pictures.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...2620640&type=1

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Kevin and Dennis Gordon — at International: THAILAND v PHILIPPINES at Royal Thai Police Stadium

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International: PHILIPPINES 86 THAILAND 0 at Royal Thai Police Academy, Bangkok

By STEVE MASCORD

BANGKOK, Oct 21 AAP ? International rugby league arrived in Asia last night with a flurry of points, Gold Coast stars Matt Srama and Kevin Gordon plus their brothers accounting for 56 points in the Philippines? flogging of Thailand. In fact, each NRL stars was ecliped by his lesser-know sibbling in the 86-0 rout at the Royal Thai Police Stadium. Titan Gordon scored two tries but his brother Dennis, who plays for Queanbeyan Blues, got four. Likewise, Srama?s one try was bettered by brother and national captain Luke?s double ? although the Gold Coast hooker also kicked seven goals. Boasting mainly foreign-based professionals, the Philippines were too strong from the get-go for a home side captained by Burleigh Bears Charlie Jones but including mostly local amateurs. It was the first international ever played in Asia. Other rugby league games over the weekend saw Greece beat Vanuatu 26-14 in Port Vila, France down Wales 20-6 in Lens and England Knights lap Ireland 56-4 in Belfast, with South Sydney?s George Burgess posting two tries.

THAILAND 1. Tristan Wood (unattached) 2. Billy Damm (unattached) 3, Marcel Aloumbe (Bangkok Jap RU) 4. Karong Khamlechai (unattached) 5. Joe Peotto (Southerners RU) 6. Brett Clarke (Ponsonby Ponies) 7. Steven Lesina (Cairns Kangaroos) 8. Robert Milsom (Bangkok Jap RU) 9. Paul Bleasdale (Southerners RU) 10. Damon Adeang (Pattaya Panthers RU) 11. Andrew Tatum (Old Bangkok Bangers RU) 12. Andrew Steele (Southerners RU) 13. Charlie Jones (capt, Burleigh Bears) Interchange (all used): 14. Nisachal Maneesai (Chang Mai Tigers RU) 15. Soravit Aophon (Chang Mai Tigers RU) 16. Graham Hagan (Pattaya Panthers RU) 17. Spain Payadee (Payup RU) 20. Artit Thiamprasert (Southerners RU) 21. Michael Holt (Newcastle Centrals)

PHILIPPINES 1. William Dreves (East Campbelltown) 2. Richard Goodwin (Narrabeen) 3. Dennis Gordon (Queanbeyan Blues) 4. Kevin Gordon (Gold Coast) 5. Ron Pena (UTS) 6. Matt Srama (Gold Coast) 7. Justin Wrigley (Wests Panthers) 8. Glen Power (St Clair) 9. Luke Srama (capt, Coventry Bears) 10. Rez Phillips (Souths Logal) 11. Ned Stephenson (Mounties) 12. Sam Bernstrom (Sydney Roosters) 13. Steven Bernstrom (Sunshine Coast) Interchange (all used) 14. Ed Smith (Canberra University) 15. Jason Dreves (Easts Campbelltown) 16. Jake Smith (Souths Newcastle) 17. Chris Everingham (Philippines Volcanos) 18. Rene Payne (Bulimba Bulldogs) 19. Fred Colina (Belrose) 20. Ashley Black (South Adelaide) 21. Michael Holt (South Newcastle) 22. Mark Johno Reyes (UTS) Tries: S Bernstrom (7,72), D Gordon (9, 35, 37, 65), L Srama (15), W Dreves (17,70), M Srama (25), Phillips (42), K Gordon (69, 81), Pena (74). Goals: M Srama 7/8, W Dreves 3/3 K Gordon 2/3 Halftime: 0-46. Penalties: 6-2. GLDO 1-2.

Full match report to come?

PHILIPPINES 86 (Dennis Gordon 4, Luke Srama 2, Kevin Gordon 2, William Dreves 2, Sam Bernstrom 2, Matt Srama, Rez Phillips, Ron Pena tries; Matt Srama 7, Kevin Gordon 2, William Drewes 3, Ron Pena goals) bt THAILAND 0 at Royal Thai Police Stadium, Bangkok. Referees: Gavin and Kasey Badger (Australia). Crowd: about 150.

http://stevemascord.com/

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GORDON BROTHERS SLAYED THAILAND!

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Lots of Rugby Union players coming across. So it was a very difficult match for Thailand. Good to see the flow between RU and RL without the ridiculous banning and sanctions we have seen for 100 years.

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Historic day for international rugby league

'NEXT try wins!' came the call from the Philippines side as a scrum packed near the end of the first ever rugby league international in Asia yesterday.

The scene was the Royal Thai Police Stadium, Bangkok, on a sweltering Sunday afternoon. The score? Philippines 80 Thailand 0.

In front of a crowd of family and friends, a Filipino side including Gold Coast Titans stars Matt Srama and Kevin Gordon had run in 14 tries against an opposition made up mainly of local rugby union players.

The call, from an anonymous Filipino player, was intended to motivate his teammates to keep their brave opposition scoreless as the Thais fed the final scrum.

But there was still something more at stake.

Between them, Matt Srama and his brother Luke had scored 26 points. They were one of five sets of brothers in the side. Kevin and Dennis Gordon, had scored 22.

The scrum was won by the Thais but they couldn't hold onto it. Both benches were told the game was over. But before the siren could sound, Titan Kevin Gordon was in the clear - as we have seen so many times in the NRL - and he ran 65 metres before converting to edge his clan ahead of his club-mates'.

"My two goals got me close to my brother, anyway" said Kevin.

Meanwhile, Matt and Luke Srama got to play together for the first time.

"First time ever - we've been waiting for this day for years and years and years," said Luke, who played hooker yesterday.

"We didn't think it would ever happen but it finally has."

Matt: "He reminds me of myself when I'm playing hooker - really tough, gets in there, popped the ball out four or five times. He gives me tips when I go back to Gold Coast."

This was no explosive arrival for our game in a new region - but it was an arrival nonetheless. Some things that people imagine about international development games are better in reality. Other things are probably worse.

The commitment of the players, the nerves of the coaches and staff, the intensity of the warm-ups and the talk - it's like anything we see in the winter months in Australasia. Players from pub competitions (or not playing at all this year) run out alongside highly-paid professionals, put their bodies on the line and new friendships are forged.

On the other hand, crowds are impossible to predict and often tiny, facilities are commonly poor ('this shed is still better than Brookvale,' a Filipino wag commented) and everyone has to pitch in when it comes to lugging equipment, marking lines, filling up drink bottles and booking training facilities.

Playing international rugby league outside the top four countries mixes the passion and emotion of the game's highest levels with the menial, humble chores of its lowest. There is no room for prima donnas or superstars.

People say it's a waste of time and, says Srama, "I've got to admit, I was probably one as well.

"But the coaching staff, the Filipino rugby league, have all done a great job and hopefully we can promote the game over there a little bit in the Philippines.

"There are a lot of juniors coming through. Now there is a benchmark out there that there's a team. When I was a kid, I would have loved it if there was a Filipino league team.

"We're part of the first one ever."

Referees are also often a problem at this level - thankfully they weren't yesterday with the world's first husband-and-wife officiating team in any sport taking control. They featured in a large story in the UK's Observer yesterday morning - getting almost as much space as a Wembley or Old Trafford final.

Asked about the experience of controlling a match with partner Kasey - on the occasion of their second wedding anniversary - Gavin Badger said: "I didn't get to have a go - she just kept taking everything.

"It's just the way she looks at me sometimes."

Thai officials are confident there'll be a full club competition around Bangkok and Pattaya next year. Today, members of the Filipino squad travel to Manila where they'll visit orphanages and conduct coaching clincs.

A three way tournament also involving Japan is planned for the Philippines next year. A nines tournament for players who miss out on the World Cup is also in the pipeline.

Kevin Gordon looked like he scored "the next try". But maybe one day we'll look back on a humble but historic afternoon and find that the tryscorer was actually Mr R, League.

http://www.nrl.com

[Chaserz]

Wow, good example on how it should go/flow right now. Nice to see the bro combos playing! I didn't even know they (the Asian teams) were ready to give it a go - completely surprised (positively, of course!).

Nice pics, thanks for sharing!

[Titanic]

Gavin Badger better get used to his missus dominating the calls ... that's his lot for the foreseeable future.

Great stuff from both camps and excellent coverage from the media. Every international deserves recognition no matter what the standard.

[Coaster]

Great stuff, also notice that Srama is playing in the halves and kicking