The Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough Challenge Cup will kick off this weekend for its second year, seeing Fortescue Premier Grade and Championship Grade teams go head-to-head.
Round 1 of the annual preseason competition, the Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough Challenge Cup, will kick off this Saturday, with fourteen teams competing from across the Fortescue Premier Grade and Championship Grade.
Launched in 2024, the competition was launched to facilitate greater interaction and competition between the grades, as well as provide the clubs an opportunity to have more games and preparation time throughout the season.
“RugbyWA is looking forward to seeing the Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough Challenge Cup kick off once again,” RugbyWA CEO, Simon Taylor, shared.
“The preseason tournament gives both Premier Grade and Championship Grade teams the opportunity to start their seasons strong, taking on the best in the state. We’re looking forward to seeing what matchups and upsets emerge, and to see all our clubs continue to achieve the outstanding, championing the spirit of our union.”
The knockout style tournament guarantees three matches for the competing fourteen teams, as they battle for the chance to win the Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough Challenge Cup, Shield, Plate or Bowl.
The inaugural 2024 Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough Challenge Cup saw a plethora of interesting matchups, competition upsets and new rivalries formed, as clubs from the Premier Grade and Championship Grade come against each other for the first time.
Kalamunda’s historic win over Associates at HBF Park marked the side as the inaugural victors of the Challenge Cup. After their upset victory in 2024, Kalamunda is looking forward to heading back into the pre-season competition in 2025.
“The guys can't wait to get on the field and play some rugby,” Kalamunda Head Coach, Callum Payne, shared.
"We have spent the preseason bedding in our systems and the best way to test them is against quality opposition. With a few new and returning players we are looking forward to building some combinations throughout the Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough Challenge Cup while also getting a couple of new faces involved.”
In the first Round of the knockout tournament, Kalamunda will be coming up against UWA, who they beat in an upset to qualify for the Fortescue Premier Grade Semi-Finals in August of 2024. Despite the return of an old challenger, the 2024 Winners are feeling positive.
“The guys have been putting in the work on field and we are happy where we are at,” Payne said. “We know that every round is another lift in intensity though and our focus is on making sure we continue to improve weekly.”
The competition’s return sparks a big opportunity for the Premier Grade and Championship competitions, allowing for some early action to gauge their strengths ahead of the regular season. For Kalamunda, it also holds a bit extra weight, with the target of the previous victors being placed on their shoulders.
“Last year, we were obviously happy with our results through the first three rounds,” Payne remarked.
“The challenge for us this year is to make sure that we carry that form into Premier Grade and start the season well. Traditionally pre-season games have been a mixed bag, so to have a competition with a bit more meaning to it has been great for getting that intensity in early.”
As for if we should expect the side to take out the title for a second year?
“Improvement and growth are critical at this time of year. If we get that piece of the puzzle right, we should be in a position to take the opportunities early.”
Kalamunda aren’t the only side with a big match up set for Round 1 – ARKS will see themselves come against Premier Grade side, Southern Lions, for the first time.
Ready to hold their own against Premier Grade competitors, ARKS are entering the competition off the back of two victories in 2024, with both the Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough Challenge Cup – Bowl Final, and as the Premiers of the Championship Grade. For Southern Lions, the side is looking for their chance at redemption, having finished 2024 second last on the Fortescue Premier Grade ladder.
The Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough Challenge Cup will kick off this Saturday, with 7 games taking place throughout Perth. The preseason tournament will run for three rounds, with teams fighting for their chance to win the Challenge Cup, Shield, Plate and Bowl.
The inaugural Women’s Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough Challenge Cup will kick off in April.
Round 1 – Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough Challenge Cup
Wanneroo Districts v. Joondalup Brothers – Kingsway Regional Sports Facility, 1PM
UWA v. Kalamunda Districts – UWA Sports Park, 1PM
ARKS v. Southern Lions – Harrisdale Pavillion, 1PM
Nedlands v. Associates – Sir Charles Court Reserve, 1PM
Perth Bayswater v. Palmyra – Pat O’Hara Reserve, 3:30PM
Cottesloe v. Wests Scarborough – Harvey Field, 3:30PM
