Palmyra have put some distance between themselves and the chasing pack, surging to a 35-27 win over second-placed Cottesloe to cement their status as Rugby WA Premier Grade favourites. The Melville-based side edged closer to back-to-back titles as they scored five tries in a row at Tompkins Park and held off a late Cottesloe flurry for their 10th win in 11 games this season. Kainoa Gudgeon gave the visitors an early lead with a try, but a penalty try up the other end levelled the scores, and Palmyra took the initiative.
Fraser Jones, Marcus Arrindell, Tuhoe Mahaki and captain Tyron Law all found the try-line to push the lead to 35-8 before late tries to Cottesloe’s Mayson Hill, Mathew Faoagali and Henry Mortimer reduced the margin. Nedlands jumped ahead of Associates in emphatic fashion, claiming a 66-19 bonus point win at Allen Park to move within two points of Cottesloe, with the visitors scoring 10 tries to three as Jack Curtis and Jacob McKellar scored doubles. Perth-Bayswater put distance between themselves and Wests Scarborough at the bottom of the top conference with a tight 20-18 victory at Pat O’Hara Reserve.
Simon Hrbek was vital with a try, two conversions and a penalty for the hosts, while Force fly-half Reesjan Pasitoa won the game with a 76th-minute penalty. UWA held off Kalamunda 38-36 at Hartfield Reserve, thanks in part to the boot of Caleb Young, who chipped in with four penalties. The hosts outscored the visitors — who had Western Force star Carlo Tiz.