With one round remaining in the Rugby WA Fortescue Premier Grade, Associates have leap frogged Cottesloe to reach the top of the rankings after a mammoth 127-3 victory over the Coastal Cavaliers at Allen Park.
The win marked a special day for Associates who celebrated ‘Islander Day’ festivities in honour of the strong Polynesian contingent down at their club which set the scene for a vibrant atmosphere throughout the afternoon.
As Associates piled on the points from the opening whistle it would have been easy to mistake the score line for a cricket score, as the home side’s attack ran rampant.
Holding firm in the early stages, the Cavaliers maintained healthy periods of possession but were unable to nail down the hostile Associates backline who asked tough questions of the visitor’s defence.
The chemistry of the Associates midfield pairing Christian Vainerere and Tevita Sifa proved to be an imposing factor as the duo shared five tries between themselves while carving holes like a hot knife through butter.
Wingers Facundo Aguirre and Ross Palframan covered the scoresheet, running in four tries each while club stalwart Alex Rovira pitched in for two tries of his own.
Behind the scenes the Associates forward pack were prodigious in their work ethic, putting the ball on a silver platter for their backline to attack.
Associates also held on to the allusive Rugby WA Cup which they will have to defend once more this season as they travel south to Success to play the Southern Lions next Saturday.
Looking at the table ‘Soaks’ will need to secure a bonus point win to give them the best opportunity for a Premier Grade minor premiership and a semi-finals home hosting on Saturday October 3.
Around the grounds Wests Scarborough held on in a close encounter to sneak past Nedlands 24-17 on the Nedlands Foreshore which now puts them in the hot seat to take the last spot in the top four.
Cottesloe succumbed to their second loss of the season falling by five points against Joondalup while UWA made their mark with a gritty 26-17 win over Kalamunda at McGillivray Oval.
From here on in all roads lead to the grand final as the top four sides Associates, Cottesloe, Palmyra and Wests Scarborough all do battle for the premiership if all sides can win their respective games this weekend.
RESULT
Associates 127
Tries: Aguirre 4, Godwin, Ingram, Manukia, Palframan 4, Rovira 2, Sauni, Sifa 2, Tafili, Vainerere 3, Webster
Cons: Ingram 2, Lewis, Rovira 2, Sauni 6
Coastal Cavaliers 3
Pens: Cortland
