Round 1 of the Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough Challenge Cup has kicked off with a bang, with big wins across the board.
The preseason competition has returned with vigor in 2025, with the Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough Challenge Cup setting up the Fortescue Premier Grade to be an interesting battle.
All eyes were on 2024 Premier Grade victors, Associates, this weekend, as they came up against Nedlands in a repeat of their 2024 Semi-Final. With a huge new line-up of players, Nedlands were deadly, smashing the Premiers 68-24, in a surprise upset.
Former Melbourne Rebels scrumhalf, Ryan Louwrens, made his mark on the Western Australian competition, scoring four tries, with competition newcomer Tama Anderson scoring three. Tries were also scored by Layken Tua, Cameron Edge and Manase Taufa. 2024 PG Hampshire and RugbyWA Top Point Scorer winner, Matty Lansdown completed 7 conversions throughout the game, with converting 2.
For Associates, tries were scored by Riki Wylie and Nick Johns, as well as club debutants, Taine Lagan and Sam Faoagali. Two conversions were completed by Premier Grade legend, Ian Prior.
2024 Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough Challenge Cup champions, Kalamunda, reminded the competition why they can’t be underestimated, with a 24-point victory over UWA at McGillivray Oval. With a final score of 14-38, Kalamunda saw an exception performance in their first outing of 2025.
For the winning side, tries were scored by Evan Jordan (23’), Henare Houkamau (36’), Tevyn Anitelea (48’), Jack Weir (52’), Dane Sawers (68’) and Ihaia-Lee Kamizona-Heke (71’). Four conversions were completed by Braydon Forrest.
For UWA, tries were scored by Tom Hollis and Oscar Anderson. Two conversions were completed by Caleb Young.
Across the grounds, Palmyra saw a 10-47 victory over Perth Bayswater at Pat O’Hara Reserve, with both Potu Leavasa and Albert Alcock scoring two tries for the side. Other tries for Palmyra were scored by Hayden Cooper, Pisi Leilua and Manihera Eden, alongside five conversions from Jack Grooby and one from Rhys Morgan.
Both Cottesloe and Wanneroo saw 31-5 victories over Wests Scarborough and Joondalup Brothers at home. Tries for Wanneroo were scored by Hayden Whitmee-Lloyd, Rickie Harte, Thomas Crofts, Andrew King and Manase Mohuanga, with Whitmee-Lloyd completing one conversion, and Crofts the additional two. For Cottesloe, Jacob Mounsey scored two tries and completed one conversion, with Lowayde van Niekerk, Phoenix Hunt and Jacob Waikari-Jones each scoring a try, and two conversions from Conor Murphy.
The Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough Challenge Cup will continue on Saturday, March 22, 2025, with Round 2.
Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough Challenge Cup Round 1 Results
Wanneroo (31) d. Joondalup Brothers (5)
UWA (14) l. Kalamunda (38)
Nedlands (68) d. Associates (24)
Perth Bayswater (10) l. Palmyra (47)
Cottesloe (31) d. Wests Scarborough (5)
Rockingham (25) d. Mandurah (0)
ARKS (0) l. Southern Lions (28)
