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Cottesloe has moved to outright lead in the KWIK Premier Grade following a 26-19 victory against arch rivals Nedlands in an enthralling top of the table encounter on the foreshore.
In perfect conditions and in front of a healthy Ladies Day crowd of more than 1000 the reigning champions flexed their muscle to record successive wins this season against their closest title contenders and have all but sewn-up the minor premiership.
The Seagulls needed a miraculous second half revival to secure the win in round five but this time they opened the scoring and were never headed. Nedlands kept the match tight but couldn't consistently find their way through a resolute Cott defence with Ryan Hodson at openside flank particularly influential for the visitors.
After some stuttering performances of late Cottesloe lifted when it counted most and have shown they're again the team to beat with the finals just five weeks away.
"Our defence today was excellent however our aggression at the breakdown was what lead us to being dominant in that area," Cottesloe Coach Ian Fowler said following the match.
"I could tell the attitude was right by how hard our players worked off the ball."
At Rosalie Park the debut of Emirates Western Force back Scott Staniforth for Associates helped them to a 35-15 win against Wests-Subiaco. It was the first match Staniforth has played since injuring his neck against the Lions in Johannesburg two months ago and he came through the full 80 minutes unscathed.
Rounding out the other games, Wanneroo continued their good form of late, and kept their slim finals hopes alive with a 32-8 win against Rockingham while UWA held on for a 20-17 win over Perth-Bayswater. Kalamunda edged closer to a coveted top four berth with a 37-17 win over third placed Palmyra.
KWIK Transport and Crane Hire
KWIK Premier Grade: Wanneroo 32 bt Rockingham 8, UWA 20 bt Perth Bayswater 17, Kalamunda 37 bt Palmyra 17, Cottesloe 26 bt Nedlands 19, Associates 35 bt Wests Subiaco 15
Reserve: Wanneroo 69 bt Rockingham 8, Perth Bayswater 43 bt UWA 24, Kalamunda 12 bt Palmyra 8, Nedlands 50 bt Cottesloe 10, Associates 21 bt Wests Subiaco 10
U20: Nedlands 9 bt Cottesloe 5, Wests Subiaco 19 drew Associates 19, UWA 23 bt Kalamunda 15
U20 Div 2: Wanneroo 68 bt Curtin Uni 0, Palmyra 25 bt Joondalup 0
U18: Wanneroo 39 bt Southern Lions 0, Mandurah 18 bt Perth Bayswater 7, Palmyra 24 bt Kalamunda 3, Wests Subiaco 17 drew Associates 17
3rd Grade Black: UWA 22 bt Perth Bayswater 19, Kalamunda 24 bt Palmyra 18, Nedlands 39 bt Cottesloe 17, Wests Subiaco 17 bt Associates 7
3rd Grade Gold: Curtin Uni 20 bt Southern Lions 10, Bunbury 10 bt Joondalup 7
4th Grade Black: UWA 22 bt Perth Bayswater 0, Kalamunda 36 bt Palmyra 0, Nedlands 50 bt Cottesloe 5, Wests Subiaco 29 bt Associates 0
4th Grade Gold: Southern Lions 12 bt Curtin Uni 0, Joondalup 18 bt Bunbury 1
4th Grade Blue: Cottesloe 31 bt Nedlands 12, Midland 7 bt Rockingham 0
Women's: Cottesloe 21 bt Wanneroo 10
By Rick Boyd | RugbyWA