The final round of the regular season. The last chance to qualify for finals.
While the Women in Rugby Round took place at McGillivray Oval, the men’s competition was battling it out for their place in the Finals series, with competition tight in the final stages. Round 16 of the Fortescue Men’s Premier Grade saw some rough weather as teams took to the field, with muddy jerseys and big match ups for the last time in the regular season.
In Conference A of the Fortescue Premier Grade, Nedlands suffered their first defeat of the season, with Cottesloe sneaking past the Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough Challenge Cup winners to secure a win. Despite the wet conditions at Sir Charles Court Reserve making the playing field more mud than grass, both sides pulled out some of their best performances, keeping the scores close throughout the match. Three penalty goals and two conversions saw James Taylor rack up the points for Cottesloe, alongside tries for Chris Saulala and Ethan Cayless, giving Cottesloe the opportunity to pull off an upset to the dominant side’s victorious streak. For Nedlands, three tries were put past the line in an incredible show of talent, but the penalty goals scored by Cottesloe were enough to keep the side at bay, leaving the final score Nedlands, 19, defeated by Cottesloe, 23. Also a battle for the RugbyWA Cup, the match saw Cottesloe win the Cup off Nedlands, securing themselves as the Cup Winners for 2025.
Tries for Nedlands were scored by Samuel McCormack (58’), Tama Anderson (73’) and Frank Bunce (78’), with two conversions from Matty Lansdown (58’, 73’).
Conference B saw a showstopper between Perth Bayswater and Southern Lions, with one-point separating the final score. With four tries for each side on the board, including one from returning community legend and Western Force star, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, it was one penalty goal by Southern Lions which gave them the victory, slotting their victory between the posts at Pat O’Hara Reserve. In a huge performance, Raniera Whakataka from Southern Lions scored two tries, aiding in the side’s victory, while Ethan Heuer from Perth Bayswater was instrumental in keeping the scores so close with his kicking prowess seeing three conversions. The final result saw Perth Bayswater, 26, defeated by Southern Lions, 27.
Tries for Perth Bayswater were scored by Zsen Falakoa (40’), Callum Browne (56’), Fines-Leleiwasa (65’) and Simione Buli (68’), with three conversions from Heuer (57’, 65’, 68’). For Southern Lions, tries were scored by Bradley Lacey, Peni Naqau and Whakataka (2), with one conversion from Liam McKinnon, and one conversion and a penalty goal from Joel Lamatoa.
The Fortescue Men’s Premier Grade will enter its Quarter Finals this weekend, kicking off the 2025 RugbyWA Finals Series. Teams 3 and 4 from Conference A, and Teams 7 and 8 from Conference B will go head-to-head for their place in the Semi Finals, before the Final Dance takes place on August 30, 2025.
For all up to date information on the 2025 Finals Series, visit the RugbyWA website.
Fortescue Men’s Premier Grade Round 16 Results
Nedlands (19) l. Cottesloe (23)
Wests Scarborough (82) d. Joondalup Brothers (5)
Perth Bayswater (26) l. Southern Lions (27)
Palmyra (67) d. Kalamunda (12)
Associates (10) d. UWA (5)
