Rugby returned from a week off last weekend with close scores and surprise performances.
ANZAC Round was a showcase of talent across the rugby community, with teams gathering together to pay their respects to servicemen and women who have served and died for their country, championing the spirit of the ANZACs.
At Perth Bayswater, the club hosted its fourth annual ANZAC celebration, in collaboration with the Bassendean RSL, to honour their community members who are part of the services. For the home side, the day also marked their first win of the 2025 Fortescue Premier Grade season, defeating Wests Scarborough 17-7.
In the close match-up, both Bayswater and Wests Scarborough put up a strong fight, with only one try being scored in the first half. For the home team, this first-half try made all the difference, putting them on the front foot as they went into the second half, where a second try and a penalty secured the win. Tries for Perth Bayswater were scored by Filimone Muavou (23’) and Faamanu Siaosi Kalolo (52’), with two conversions (23’, 52’) and a penalty conversion (74’) completed by Ethan Heuer. The try for Wests Scarborough was completed by Niko Manaena (48’), with the conversion from Lloyd Smith (48’).
Down at UWA Sports Park, a surprising result saw Associates just scrape past the home side to secure their win, 12-19. Despite two yellow cards keeping them on their toes, the 2024 Premiers only just managed to squeeze a try and conversion past UWA in order to take the points, with the home side putting up a strong fight.
Tries for Associates were scored by Nick Burgess, Sam Faoagali and Lachlan Phillions, with two conversions from Ian Prior. Tries for UWA were scored by Keaton Kawana (13’) and Zach Oosthuizen (23’), with one conversion from Harri Collier (13’).
In the Championship Grade, there were close scores across the board, with the competition already proving to be tight amongst the six teams.
Down in Dunsborough, Perth Irish held up a good fight up against the home side despite the travel, with only two points separating the final score. Looking to be a powerhouse side in 2025, the 26-24 win by the Dunsborough-Busselton Dungbeetles sees the side have their second win of the season. Tries for Dunsborough-Busselton were scored by Toby Mead (2) and Eparama Ratu (2), with three conversions from Dan Watt. Tries for Perth Irish were scored by Ezra Mcaleenan (2) and Peter Doyle, with three conversions and one penalty conversion from Tom Glynn.
An early top-of-the-table clash in Rockingham saw Mandurah Pirates defeat the home side by just three points. Despite a dominating performance from Mandurah in the first half seeing the side score three tries, Rockingham put up a good fight to hold the side of completely in the second half, before scoring two tries and conversions themselves in a two-minute period. Tries for Mandurah Pirates were scored by Ashib Leota (12’, 33’) and Michael Tilden (24’), with one conversion from Joshua Kennedy (12’). Tries for Rockingham were scored by Luke Matanisiga (67’) and Josese Tamani (69’), with two conversions from Matthew Griffiths (67’, 69’).
Round 4 of the Senior Men’s competition will play this coming weekend, alongside the commencement of the Senior Women and Junior competitions, kicking off with Junior Girls on Friday.
Fortescue Premier Grade – Round 3 Results
Cottesloe (50) d. Wanneroo (24)
Kalamunda (39) d. Joondalup Brothers (19)
Perth Bayswater (17) d. Wests Scarborough (7)
UWA (12) l. Associates (19)
Southern Lions (22) l. Palmyra (34)
