With just three rounds left of the regular season for 2024, it’s anyone’s game as the opportunity to make the finals keeps teams on their toes and fighting hard.
The Fortescue Men’s Premier Grade is kicking off its fourteenth round on Saturday, with Palmyra sitting at the top of Conference A, and UWA at the top of Conference B.
It’s a big weekend for UWA this weekend as they fight to keep that top spot in Conference B for their chance to play off in the finals and move to the top conference for the 2025 season.
Coming up against Wanneroo, UWA will be looking for the points to keep them ahead of Southern Lions, who are closing in on their points difference. UWA’s win against the side last weekend has given them some breathing room, however, they’ll be looking to push ahead even further.
In their 34-24 win last weekend, tries were scored by Tommy Fifita Tovo (67’) as well as a hat trick from Carlo Tizzano (9’, 37’, 46’). Caleb Young was responsible for holding the side’s lead, with four conversions (9’, 37’, 46’, 67’) and two penalties (30’, 76’). For Southern Lions, tries were scored by Kameli Tacikalou Naisiroki, Wessel Van Dijk, Saimoni Qaranivalu and Raikadroka Rafaele, with two conversions from Joel Lamatoa.
“The game against Southern Lions was a tough battle,” UWA Coach, David Freeman said. “They play for the full 80 minutes with bags of flair.”
“As we saw on the weekend, you cannot switch off as they have an uncanny knack of going back-to-back with tries. Last time out they put sixty plus points on us, so we had a big focus on defence this week, which was pleasing to see an uplift in that area.”
Freeman shared that this week’s clash against Wanneroo will be a challenge for UWA, acknowledging their 7-67 loss to the side in the Shield Final of the Rendezvous Scarborough Challenge Cup to be indicative of Wanneroo’s strength.
“The Roodogs [Wanneroo] are a very good side who beat us convincingly last time out, so we are expecting another physical battle this weekend.”
“We are expecting Wanneroo to put some significant physical pressure on us and challenge us in the contact area and at set piece,” Freeman said.
“They have a fantastic coach up there with Sam Rarasea and he will have them firing, so I'd expect the UWA boys to front up physically and look to dominate in that area.”
Wanneroo are coming off a loss as they head into this Saturday’s clash with UWA, with a tight game against Joondalup Brothers finishing 32-27. In an incredible second-half performance, tries for Wanneroo were scored by Jacob Witaker (49’), Andrew King (50’), AJ Preketes (56’) and Luke Ale (60’). Two conversions (50’, 57’) and a penalty (10’) were completed for the side by Hayden Whitmee-Lloyd. For Joondalup, tries were scored by Jacob Mounsey (4’), Sioeli Vaka (8’), Iaone Valentino (18’) and Ford Hemi (39’), with three conversions (4’, 8’, 18’) and two penalties (33’, 73’) from Keillen Cullen.
Wanneroo are set to meet UWA at Kingsway Sports Complex this Saturday at 3:30PM. The match is set to stream live on Stan.
The Championship Grade is set to enter Round 13 this weekend, with second-on-the-ladder ARKS facing last year’s Premiers, Bunbury Barbarians, at home at Harrisdale Pavillion. Coming off a win against Rockingham, ARKS will be chasing the few points that keep them behind Mandurah Pirates Blue on the table.
Facing Rockingham last weekend, ARKS saw a 26-10 victory, with tries from Josese Tamani (2), Naca Koroi and Luke Matanisiga. Conversions for the side were completed by Joeli Ratuki and Troy Laurent (2). From Rockingham, a try was scored by Vian van Baalen (25’), with a conversion (35’) and penalty (27’) completed by Chase Kahotea.
“We were very happy with the win on Saturday,” ARKS Head Coach, Ben Ockenden, shared. “You can’t take Rockingham lightly, as they can play some good rugby.”
“As this competition is very tight, we must bring the best version of ourselves, and turn up to training and the game with the right mindset, ready to make it hard for the opposition to win.”
It’s this attitude the side will be bringing into their clash with Bunbury, knowing the challenge presented to them coming up against the side.
“This week will be a very physical game and be very closely fought,” Ockenden said.
“Our forwards will need to step up to the challenge and match them at the contact area, and with our backs continuing to grow and gel together, they should be a handful.”
The team is continuing to grow from strength to strength, Ockenden shared, and is keeping a positive mindset as they move forward.
“We all have things to work on as we are a developing team with a hunger to grow and be better from week to week.
“We have a real positive group at ARKS, both on and off the field. It’s the whole club’s support that is our biggest strength, and the players have real pride in representing everyone involved at ARKS.”
The weekend also marks a big weekend for the club, with Roughan Kiel set to play his 150th game for ARKS, which Ockenden sites as a huge achievement.
“He works very hard around the club wherever there is a need, and I am sure he will be leading from the front with a big game,” Ockenden said.
“We are all with you mate, enjoy the day.”
ARKS are set to take on Bunbury Barbarians this Saturday at Harrisdale Pavillion. The game is set to be streamed live on Rugby Xplorer, with kick off at 3:00PM.
Fortescue Men’s Premier Grade Round 14 Fixtures
Nedlands v. Palmyra @ Sir Charles Court Reserve, 3:30PM
Kalamunda v. Joondalup Brothers @ Hartfield Reserve, 3:30PM
Perth Bayswater v. Cottesloe @ Pat O’Hara Reserve, 3:30PM
Wests Scarborough v. Associates @ Bennett Park, 3:30PM
Wanneroo v. UWA @ Kingsway Sports Complex, 3:30PM *Streaming live on Stan
Championship Grade Round 13 Fixtures
Mandurah Pirates Blue v. Kwinana Wolves @ Meadow Springs Sporting Facility, 1:45PM
Mandurah Pirates White v. Perth Irish Wolfhounds @ Meadow Springs Sporting Facility, 3:00PM
ARKS v. Bunbury Barbarians @ Harrisdale Pavillion, 3:00PM *Streaming live on Rugby Xplorer
Dunsborough & Busselton Dungbeetles v. Curtin University @ Barnard Park, 3:00PM
Rockingham v. Perth Irish @ Lark Hill Sporting Complex, 6:00PM
