KWIK Premier Grade - Week 12 Preview

[Darren]

By RugbyWA Media
Contributors: Josh Zimmerman

Associates v Nedlands
Allen Park at 3.30pm
First round: Nedlands 59 - 21 Associates

Nedlands needed a try in the last minute to get over a very spirited University 36 - 34 at The Foreshore on Saturday and must now travel to Allen Park to take on the unpredictable Associates who re-ignited their finals hopes with a 36 - 27 win over Wanneroo.

Neddies were made to work for the win on the weekend but once again showed their class to close out a tight one and the five competition points they picked up have extended their lead at the top of the ladder to 13 points.

Associates' bonus point win against the Roo Dogs saw them jump up to sixth on the ladder and the Swanbourne side is now mathematically only one game away from a spot in the top four.

Soaks Coach Ryan Parkin said last week that his side was only playing in patches and needed to put together more complete performances – Associates turned up and played for one half against Wanneroo which was enough for the win but will need to stick around for the full 80 if they are to have any chance against Neddies.

Kalamunda vs University
Hartfield Park at 3.30pm
First round: University 18 - 21 Kalamunda

A heartbreaking two point loss to Nedlands last week will no doubt be burning inside the University players and Kalamunda will need to be extra wary this weekend.

The Bulls drew 27 - 27 against Perth Bayswater last weekend and will no doubt be hoping to build on that performance as they return to play in front of a passionate home crowd.

Uni promised great things in 2011 when it won the Bankwest Pre-season Cup and the students are now starting to deliver. Their wins have been impressive while their losses have all been by narrow margins (seven points or less).

While Kalamunda are still propping up the table they should be discounted in any match. The Bulls are a proud side and a win over a finals contender would be a great fillip for their continued hard work.

Wanneroo vs Perth Bayswater
Kingsway at 3.30pm
First round: Perth Bayswater 11 - 16 Wanneroo

Wanneroo took 40 minutes to wake up and start playing rugby on the weekend in their game against Associates and despite a strong fight back in the second half were unable to pick up a bonus point meaning they remain fifth on the ladder.

Perth Bayswater collected two points out of their draw with Kalamunda dropped to seventh on the log and need a quick boost to keep them in sight of the top four.

The Roo Dogs will be disappointed with the way their four game winning streak ended, especially as the timing of their loss prevented them from breaking in to the top four for the first time this year. Wanneroo’s tendency to let teams get out to a lead before finding their best form was costly last weekend, and will be an achillies heel for them against the best sides in the competition. Coach Elwee Prinsloo is determined to find a way to snap his side out of that habit and Perth Bayswater will need to be on guard.

The first meeting between these sides was a closely contested affair with Wanneroo coming from behind to steal the win in the closing stages.

Cottesloe vs Wests Subiaco
Harvey Field at 3.30pm
First round: Wests Subiaco 26 - 20 Cottesloe

Wests Subiaco edged fellow top four side Palmyra last weekend to hold onto third while Cottesloe tasted victory for the first time since round five after they beat Rockingham 25 - 16 in a tough away fixture.

Wests have established themselves as a real threat this year winning the second highest number of games (seven) in the competition. They have been a little bit inconsistent of late however winning only two of four.

While Emirates Western Force back James O'Connor gave Cott a considerable lift last weekend as they ended a frustrating sequence of matches, just how they’ll back it up without the Wallabies utility will be interesting.

The Seagulls are eighth and must keep winning if they’re going to have any hope of making finals and this weekend’s match against a genuine title contender will be a great litmus test for them.

Palmyra vs Rockingham
Tompkins Park at 3.30pm
First round: Rockingham 0 - 13 Palmyra

Both these sides are coming off disappointing losses in round 11 and will be looking to rebound this weekend.

Palmyra is hanging on to fourth spot by a thread and will be keen to put some distance between themselves and the likes of Wanneroo, Associates and Perth Bayswater. Paly have played well at times this year but at some stage will need to string together more than two consecutive wins if they are to be sure of a top four finish in a very competitive season.

Rockingham was obviously fired up for their round 11 clash with Cottesloe but fell just short. They’ll need to keep that fire burning for their trip to Tompkins Park on Saturday. In ninth, Rocky are two and a half games away from the top four and must treat every game as a final from here on out if they are to make an appearance in the post season.

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[Engage!]

Any truth in the rumours that Wanneroo have opened their wallets and snared a prominent 1st grade player from Soaks! Was the deal done during or after the game last weekend?

[Hansie]

2 Saffas I am told.......

[ella10]

All true. Hansie you should know they were unhappy as you guys were chasing them as well they said!lol - They were unhappy not being provided with work and therefor struggling to pay rent etc. They spoke to one of their good Saffa mates who is playing wing for us and thats how contact was made. We actually spoke to them a while before we played them but they only decided 2 days after the game after they met in person with their coach. No financial benefit apart from assisting them with accommodation and some work and assisting them to do the right thing and pay Soakes back for an airfare even though there were no written agreements or contracts between the parties. They spend most Sundays around some saffa players from Wanneroo going to Church and bbq's so that's where they want to be. I suppose they would have thought about possibly staying at Soakes if they haven't received the abusive text messages from another player attacking their religion and them personally. It is bad to see players moving in mid season but if they are not happy and he is struggling because of broken promises I can't see why they should remain at the club unhappy and be a lost for the game - especially if the club had an opportunity to fix it. Even the Soakes people where they stay offered them to remain there as they thought the the way things were dealt with was wrong and a bit nasty from a Soakes supporter's point of view. I spoke to the Soakes captain myself to clear the air and he understood but understandably he was still disappointed. After all the same happened with Ammon that played for us last year and was on a gentlemen's agreement also for this year that was approached by Soakes and now plays there. We dealt with it like adults and still respect him as a players and a mate. Thats rugby in Perth for you. Lasty I can assure you there were no $$$ used to attract them to Wanneroo just as mentioned the normal things that most clubs offer new players.

[ella10]

For the record the text messages were not send by the Soakes captain (Hobbsie)

I think this issue is best left alone as it is sorted by both clubs and the last thing we want is this to turn into a hear say issue by misinformed individuals.

[Hansie]

Good to hear Roo dogs side. Yes, we had been in touch for the past year with them and in fact were asked if we could sponsor them. We could not promise jobs, and when we heard they were keen to move from Soaks a couple of weeks back, we were asked again if we could get them jobs. We declined.

Soaks did indicate they should have looked after the boys better.

There was some scuttlebutt saying you had offered coin and a path to EWF, also good to see you will re-imburse airfares...that's how our comp should operate clubs doing the right thing.

[Darkness]

Live by the Sword Die by the Sword!

The life of a mercenary.

[Engage!]

Great Spin - Ella 10

Don't think we are all naive as to the workings of club rugby in Perth. I have it on good authority that players are regularly approached; the evidence is there, won't use this website to name. If Soaks botched then that is their business- looks like we all need to watch our rosters- remember, what goes around comes around.