0
By RugbyWA Media
Contributors: Josh Zimmerman
Nedlands sounded their loudest warning yet that they’re the team to beat in this season’s KWIK Premier Grade competition with a 64 – 13 thrashing of UWA in the major semi-final at Hartfield Park on Saturday afternoon.
Neddies finished 21 points clear at the top of the ladder to claim the minor premiership and reinforced their championship credentials as they moved straight into the Grand Final in a fortnight with a merciless display.
UWA hadn’t played in a final for more than two decades and the occasion, as well as a determined Nedlands side, clearly overwhelmed them as the Royal Blues ran in 10 tries.
Uni struggled to hold on to the ball as Nedlands applied the blowtorch to every touch and raced out to 26 – 6 lead at half time.
The pain continued in the second 40 as Neddies cleared their bench and the reserves punished a UWA side that looked a shadow of the team that finished second in the regular season.
Neddies coach Tony Ball had the luxury of resting players in the lead-up to the finals and the strategy worked brilliantly as a fit and fresh squad raised the bar to a level not yet seen in the KWIK Premier Grade competition this season.
UWA must now look to regroup ahead of a preliminary final next weekend against the winner of Sunday's clash between Cottesloe and Associates. That game will kick off at 4.00pm at Pat O’Hara Reserve in Morley and provide plenty of fireworks as the traditional rivals fight for their survival.
A full match report with coaches comments will be posted as soon as possible.
Results
Major Semi-Finals: KWIK Premier Grade: Nedlands 64 bt UWA 13. Reserve Grade: Palmyra 31 bt Nedlands 19. U20: Wanneroo 23 bt Cottesloe 20. U18 Div 1: UWA 33 bt Perth Bayswater 22. U18 Div 2: Mandurah 22 bt Cottesloe 0. 3rd Grade Black: Nedlands 13 bt Southern Lions 10. 4th Grade Black: Nedlands 20 bt UWA 7. 3rd Grade Gold: Joondalup 45 bt Mandurah 10. 4th Grade Gold: Joondalup 12 bt Nedlands 7. 4th Grade Blue: Associates 36 bt Curtin Uni 5. Women’s: Perth Bayswater 9 bt Wanneroo 0.
Minor semi-finals: 3rd Grade Gold: Curtin Uni 13 bt ARKs 0. 4th Grade Gold: Curtin Uni 41 bt Mandurah 10. 4th Grade Blue: Cottesloe 31 bt Joondalup Blue 6. Women’s: Cott/UWA 22 bt Kalamunda 10.
Matches to come
Pat O’Hara Reserve (Morley) – Sunday, 21 August
Field 1 – Minor Semis
U20s: UWA v Associates (kick off 12.30pm)
Reserve Grade: Cottesloe v Associates (kick-off 2.10pm)
Premier Grade: Cottesloe v Associates (kick off 4.00pm)
Field 2 – Minor Semis
4th Grade Black: Rockingham v Wests Subiaco (kick-off 11.00am)
3rd Grade Black: Palmyra v Cotesloe (kick-off 12.30pm)
U18s Div 2: ARKs v Palmyra (kick-off 2.10pm)
U18s Div 1: Wests Subiaco v Wanneroo (kick-off 3.30pm)
http://www.westernforce.com.au/NewsE...0/Default.aspx