Senior Rugby was back this weekend, with the Women’s Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough Challenge Cup kicking off, alongside big wins in the Fortescue Premier Grade.
Competition was hot this weekend, with some close match ups and big wins across the Fortescue Premier Grade.
Wanneroo is proving to be a team to keep an eye on in 2025, with huge improvement from their 2024 season. Coming up against a powerful Southern Lions lineup, there were only three points between the sides, with Wanneroo coming off second best, but still proving they aren’t the same team that finished bottom of the ladder last season. With a score of 27-30, both sides have started the season strong.
Tries for Wanneroo were from Jordan Grattan (2), Grason Makara, Thomas Crofts, who also completed one conversion, and Josateki Lalagavesi. Tries from Southern Lions were by Brandon Televave, Peni Naqau, Aiden McDonald and Yohan Kehlhoffner, with two conversions and two penalties completed by Edward Turagava.
The Wanneroo v. Southern Lions game can be rewatched on Stan, with the match live streamed on Saturday.
Across the city at Hartfield Park, Kalamunda defeated Wests Scarborough 24-20, in a close game with only conversions to hold the lead. Coming off a loss in Round 1, Kalamunda were searching for their first win of the season, having started off strong in the preseason Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough Challenge Cup. For Wests, they entered the matchup after a solid win against Joondalup in Round 1, and looking to keep their season on a positive streak. A tight back-and-forth between the sides saw Kalamunda score at the 80-minute mark, walking away with their first win of the season.
Tries for Kalamunda were scored by Tevyn Anitelea (12’), Joshua Tepania (28’), Henare Houkamau (77’) and Stanley Norman (80’). Conversions for the side were completed by Braydon Forrest (13’, 29’). Tries for Wests Scarborough were scored by Niko Manaena (34’), William Browne (44’) and Jonah Placid (48’, 78’).
With all eyes still on Nedlands as they continue to dominate the 2025 season, Perth Bayswater held up their own, finishing the game 17-53. Despite their continual powerhouse performance, Bayswater held Nedlands back from complete annihilation, slipping two tries, two conversions and a penalty past the side, whilst maintaining strong defence throughout the game.
Tries for Perth Bayswater were scored by Harry Binnion (78’) and Ethan Heuer (25’), who also completed two conversions (25’, 78’) and one penalty (4’). For Nedlands, tries were scored by Dante Santos (5’), Chis Raymond (10’, 13’), Samuel McCormack (38’, 47’), Callum Gosse (39’), Hamish Dawson (70’), Othaniel Vaevae (78’) and Tupou Kaufononga (79’). Conversions for the side were scored by Matty Lansdown (10’, 70’, 78’, 79’).
The Women’s Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough Challenge Cup kicked off this weekend, with Cottesloe taking on Southern Lions, and Wanneroo against Wests Scarborough. The meeting marks the commencement of the Cup for the first time in the Women’s competition.
2024 Premiers Wanneroo proved they are, once again, the team to beat, squashing Wests Scarborough 46-0. With their powerhouse Western Force stars out of the play, Wests Scarborough struggled under the dominance of Wanneroo, stacked with up-and-coming high performers. Tries for Wanneroo were scored by Zion Taurima, Taylor Waterson (2), Munashe Juliet Kudzunga, Makaea Monk, in addition to a hat trick from Majesty Pomare. Conversions were completed by Ai Dickson and Shianna Templeton (2).
At Harvey Field, newcomers Southern Lions suffered a 66-12 loss to home side, Cottesloe Shegulls, in their first outing for 2025. Cottesloe put away 12 tries against the Lionesses, in addition to three conversions, proving they're not a team to miss this season, after finishing at fifth on the ladder in 2024. Southern Lions held their own in their first Premier Grade match up since 2022, with two tries from Leokadia Tairea and Manaia Thomas and one conversion from Katie McLaren.
Kalamunda and UWA will see their first game of the Women’s Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough Challenge Cup when they meet this Thursday at 7PM at Hartfield Reserve.
Fortescue Premier Grade – Round 2 Results
Wanneroo (27) l. Southern Lions (30)
Kalamunda (24) d. Wests Scarborough (20)
Joondalup Brothers (19) l. Associates (59)
Palmyra (44) d. UWA (7)
Perth Bayswater (17) l. Nedlands (53)
