The Rendezvous Challenge Cup will kick off its inaugural tournament this weekend.
As RugbyWA’s new senior tournament, the Rendezvous Scarborough Challenge Cup aims to facilitate interaction and competition between grades, providing the opportunity for more club games and events throughout the season.
The playoff between Perth Irish and Arks last weekend saw Arks take the coveted place in the first round of the Rendezvous Scarborough Challenge Cup, with a 29-15 win. They will be taking on Nedlands this coming weekend at Harrisdale Pavillion.
Round 1 of the tournament, playing on March 23, will see some interesting matchups between Premier Grade and Championship Grade teams, such as Rockingham v. UWA, and Mandurah Pirates v. Cottesloe.
UWA will find themselves at Lark Hill Sporting Complex, where they kick off their Rendezvous Scarborough Challenge Cup against Rockingham. Last season saw both clubs finish 3rd in their respective grades and will prove to be a fierce competition.
Rockingham President, Manaia Mutu, is looking forward to the challenge of their Championship Grade team going up against UWA.
“If UWA send a strong team, then the obvious challenges of the game speed & their organisation may be key factors in our performance.
“We may be able to cope given it's a first outing for both clubs, but for sure it'll be a good test to see where we're at.”
In terms of Rockingham’s strengths going into this new competition, Mutu says the team is shaping up slowly, building towards their regular season.
“Some early games bring out new strengths where there's new personnel, so we'll look at that throughout the competition, and that will give us more focus for the ensuing Championship competition!”
Mandurah Pirates will also be taking up competition with a Premier Grade team, travelling up to Harvey Field to face off against Cottesloe.
“Our Seniors have been training for the last 4 weeks or so, and numbers have been encouraging,” Mandurah’s Senior President, Bevan Williams said.
“There has definitely been an added edge to training since the announcement of the Challenge Cup.”
The Mandurah team is strong, Williams reported, and are looking to cause an upset in this new tournament.
“I believe we will be strong across the field. One of our strengths over the last couple of seasons is consistency. We have most of our players back from last year and with the addition of a few new faces, we are excited for the season ahead.
“There is no pressure on us. We are a Championship team and are not expected to beat a team like Cottesloe, however, with the greatest of respect, we will be coming to cause an upset and blow the Challenge Cup wide open!”
The club and players are looking forward to this new challenge, and the opportunity for a new competition.
“We believe the Challenge Cup is a great concept. Rugby in WA has been crying out for some change, something to freshen things up.
“For any Championship Club with ambitions to be part of the Premiership in the future the Rendezvous Scarborough Challenge Cup provides an opportunity to gauge where you are as a club, and witness firsthand the level that is required.”
Other must-watch matchups will see Championship Grade Premier’s Bunbury Barbarians taking on Associates at Leschenault Leisure Centre in Bunbury, and Southern Lions taking on Kwinana Wolves in Success.
Round 1 will commence on March 23, 2024, with one match a round streaming live on YouTube. To view the competition fixtures, visit wa.rugby/competitions/rendezvous-scarborough-challenge-cup.
RugbyWA’s Rendezvous Scarborough Challenge Cup Round 1 Fixtures – March 23, 2024
Rockingham v. UWA @ Lark Hill Sporting Complex*
Perth Bayswater v. Kalamunda @ Pat O’Hara Reserve Field 1
Joondalup v. Palmyra @ HBF Arena
Cottesloe v. Mandurah Pirates @ Harvey Field
Wanneroo v. Wests Scarborough @ Kingsway Sports Complex
Bunbury Barbarians v. Associates @ Leschenault Leisure Centre
Southern Lions v. Kwinana Wolves @ Southern Lions Field 1
Arks v. Nedlands @ Harrisdale Pavillion
