The competition is tight as the Fortescue Premier Grade splits into Conference A and Conference B for the remainder of the 2025 season.
Following the structure that was introduced for the first time in 2024, Round 12 marked the beginning of the Conference split, based on the ladder results from the 2024 competition. This structure aims to provide a way for more teams to be involved in the RugbyWA Finals Series, and to stir greater competition between the sides as they fight to keep their place in Conference A, or rise from Conference B.
In Conference A, Cottesloe faced Palmyra at home, in a tough battle between second and third on the ladder. In a huge matchup between the powerhouse sides, Palmyra emerged victorious, with a try and a penalty goal separating the sides. Kento Nakai was pivotal in Palmyra’s success, scoring two tries in four minutes to push the side ahead of a dominant home team, helping the side to secure their ninth victory, and push Cottesloe out of the second place-position. The final score saw Palmyra, 30, defeat Cottesloe, 22.
Tries for Palmyra were scored by Nakai (27’, 31’), in addition to Braden Stewart (12’) and Leighton Short (80’), with a conversion and penalty goal each for Matt Mckenzie and Rhys Morgan. For Cottesloe, tries were scored by Mathew Faoagali, Chris Saulala and Nathaniel Gallagher, with two conversions and one penalty goal from James Taylor.
In Conference B, Wanneroo put on a showcase of their growing talent, defeating home side Joondalup Brothers 21-48. Holding strong at the top of the Conference B ladder, Wanneroo has been a strong performer in 2025, with this weekend marking their sixth win of the season. Luke Ale proved to be a scoring machine, with two tries, five conversions and one penalty scored for Wanneroo, alongside Jordan Grattan, who put two past the line in two minutes, helping to secure their side’s 27-point victory.
Tries for Wanneroo were scored by Ale (12’, 57’), Grattan (17’, 19’), Riley Rae, Thomas Croft (22’) and Rickie Harte (35’), with Ale completing five conversions (12’, 19’, 23’, 35’, 57’) and one penalty goal. For Joondalup Brothers, tries were scored by Jayden Kini (30’) and Grant Innes (51’), in addition to one penalty try (40’). Conversions were completed by Hunter Cowan (31’, 52’).
In the Championship Grade, a showdown took place between Perth Irish at home and Mandurah Pirates. With two strong sides going head-to-head and a 100th cap for Perth Irish’s Diarmuid O’Connor playing out, the battle was a fiery match-up and a great show of community talent and sportsmanship. Despite their constant pushback against a dominant Mandurah pack, Perth Irish came off second best to the Pirates, with a final score of 14-31.
Tries for Mandurah Pirates were scored by Mackey Davis, Seru Tuivuna (3’, 27’), and Ashib Leota (9’), with one conversion (9’) and three penalty goals from Clay Wainohu-Wesche. For Perth Irishm tries were scored by Mark Conway and John O’Connell, with two conversions from Liam Hennessy.
Round 13 will kick off this weekend, with Wanneroo v. Perth Bayswater in the Fortescue Men’s Premier Grade streaming live on Stan.
Fortescue Men’s Premier Grade Round 12 Results
Nedlands (26) d. UWA (0)
Cottesloe (22) l. Palmyra (30)
Perth Bayswater (27) l. Wests Scarborough (32)
Joondalup Brothers (21) l. Wanneroo (48)
Kalamunda (10) l. Associates (45)
