The Fortescue Premier Grade is set to enter its second last round of the regular season this weekend, as teams seek to make the finals line up.
Top-of-the-ladder Palmyra will come up against Wests Scarborough at home this weekend, following their first draw of the season against Nedlands.
Wests are sitting in sixth place on Conference A’s ladder and are looking for a win to push them ahead to stay in the conference for 2025. In Round 14, the side was defeated 17-39 by Associates at home, with a try (58’), two conversions (42’, 58’) and a penalty (14’) for Kauri Tipene-Grace, in addition to a try from Jackson Bridges (42’). For Associates, tries were scored by Cristiano Tizzano, Kainoa Lloyd, Basi Malesu, Riki Wylie and Justin Landman, who also completed four conversions and two penalties.
“We are very frustrated to not get a win,” Wests’ Head Coach, Scott Batters shared. “We were in the game for long periods of the match but just gave up too many easy points to a well-drilled Associates team.”
Despite the loss, Batters said that the side is learning from their mistakes as they enter Round 15.
“Although not quite getting the results we are after we continue to work hard as a squad, there have been a few positives to come out of the last few rounds so our main focus is to see out the rest of the season as strong as possible.”
“It's the biggest challenge in the comp to play Palmyra at home. They have been the benchmark side for the last 2 years. They are always a physical team; they like to play an expansive brand of rugby and have strong squad depth.”
In Palmyra’s battle with Nedlands, a tight match saw the top two sides end in a 23-23 draw at Sir Charles Court Reserve. Tries for visitors, Palmyra, were scored by Hayze Nepia (25’), Rewita Biddle (52’) and Tyron Law (65’), with Jack Grooby completing two penalties (6’, 37’) and a conversion (25’) for the side. From Nedlands, tries were scored by Tait Wylie (32’) and James Petherick (43’, 49’), with a conversion (49’), penalty (57’) and drop goal (74’) from Matty Lansdown.
Coming out of the match, Palmyra Head Coach Darren Reed shared that both he and the team are feeling disappointed with the result.
“I think we let some crucial opportunities slip against a very good Nedlands team,” Reed said.
“That was probably the best game of club rugby this year between the current two top ranked sides. And fair play to them, they had some really good moments at crucial times of the game. But we can potentially lock up a Minor Premiership this weekend, and Wests are no pushover. So, focus needs to shift to that.”
Coming into the match up with Wests, Reed said he’s looking for more accuracy in the areas the side was weak in against Nedlands.
“[Our biggest challenge will be] Tidying up the areas we were poor in last week, keeping guys mentally fresh and motivated.”
“Wests are a proud club with smart coaches and good players. They'll be coming full boar to cause an upset.”
Adaptability is the team’s stronghold as they enter Round 15, as they inch closer to the finals.
“I think we are pretty unique in that we have a base game model we work from, but we can adapt pretty quickly and easily to what's in front of us on any given weekend,” Reed said.
“If we think a tighter, more kick heavy approach is needed, we are comfortable with that. But if it's a hard deck on a sunny day, we can shift gears to a more ‘run first’ approach.”
Palmyra are set to meet Wests Scarborough this weekend at Tompkins Park, with kick off at 3:30PM.
In Conference B of the Fortescue Men’s Premier Grade, Southern Lions are set to take on Kalamunda at home after a bye last weekend.
The last time the two sides met in Round 6, Kalamunda defeated Southern Lions, 20-13.
Heading into Round 15, Kalamunda is coming off a tight win over Joondalup Brothers, finishing 33-30 at home. Tries for Kalamunda were scored by Adriu Duvuduvuduvukula (24’), Te Aroa Koiatu (71’), Auega Seumanutafa (76’) and two others (8’, 62’), with two conversions from Te Aroa Koiatu (7’, 72’) and two more from Evan Jordan (9’, 25’). From Joondalup Brothers, tries were scored by Cameron Ross (15’, 36’) and Marley Pearce (29’, 80’), with two conversions (15’, 80’) and two penalties (20’, 56’) from Keillen Cullen.
With Kalamunda looking to back up their Round 6 win, the Southern Lions will be pushing hard against them as they look for a win to close the points gap between themselves and UWA, just a place ahead of them at the top of Conference B.
Kalamunda’s win over Joondalup sees them just one point behind Wanneroo in Conference B, and fighting to finish the season strong after a rocky start.
Southern Lions v. Kalamunda will play at Success Regional Sporting Facility this weekend, with kick off at 3:30PM.
Round 13 proved to be a tough week for both ARKS and Bunbury Barbarians, with ARKS just scraping through with a win at Harrisdale Pavillion.
In a stellar performance from both sides, ARKS clinched the win over the former Premiers at home, pushing themselves to second on the Championship Grade ladder, just below Mandurah Pirates.
Tries for ARKS against Bunbury were scored by Samuel Simeon, Joseva Senavanua, Copy Chapman-Manuel (50’), Roughan Kiel (60’) and Adriu Manulevu (75’). Four conversions and one penalty were completed by Troy Laurent for the side. For Bunbury, tries were scored by Kavekini Cakaunitabua (3), Jone Tove and Seru Tuivuna, with five conversions from Aidan Hanna.
This weekend, ARKS will face Perth Irish Wolfhounds, whilst Bunbury Barbarians play Perth Irish’s other Championship side at Centenary Park. Both Perth Irish sides are coming off losses, with the Wolfhounds finishing 28-0 against Mandurah Pirates White, and Perth Irish coming off second-best to Rockingham, 27-10.
Heading into Round 14, ARKS will be looking for a win to put themselves closer to Mandurah Pirates Blue, who are sitting at the top of the Championship Grade ladder.
Wolfhounds v. ARKS will kick off at 1:45PM, and Perth Irish v. Bunbury Barbarians at 3:00PM at Centenary Park.
Fortescue Men’s Premier Grade Round 15 Fixtures
Cottesloe v. Nedlands @ Harvey Field, 3:30PM
Palmyra v. Wests Scarborough @ Tompkins Park, 3:30PM
Associates v. Perth Bayswater @ Allen Park, 3:30PM
UWA v. Joondalup Brother @ McGillivray Oval, 3:30PM
Southern Lions v. Kalamunda @ Success Regional Sporting Facility, 3:30PM *Steaming live on Stan
Championship Grade Round 14 Fixtures
Perth Irish Wolfhounds v. ARKS @ Centenary Park, 1:45PM
Mandurah Pirates Blue v. Dunsborough & Busselton Dungbeetles @ Meadow Springs Sporting Facility, 3:00PM
Kwinana Wolves v. Mandurah Pirates White @ Wellard Oval, 3:00PM
Perth Irish v. Bunbury Barbarians @ Centenary Park, 3:00OM
Curtin Uni v. Rockingham @ Edinburgh Oval, 3:00PM
