Pindan Premier Grade Preview - Week 17

 

Round 17 is set to be a pivotal point for Cottesloe as they tackle the top-of-the-table Nedlands in a do-or-die match in the lead up to the 2012 final series.

 

Cottesloe currently holds third position on the Pindan Premier Grade ladder and must win the final two games to guarantee a finals berth – but Nedlands won’t make it easy for them.

 

The Gulls will be buoyed by the return of their captain, Jarrett Budworth, who missed the clash with Wanneroo to recover from a head injury sustained in the game against UWA. 

 

Cottesloe’s execution was lacking in their second half against the Roo Dogs last weekend and after leading 28-5 at half time, they found themselves down 31-28 with minutes remaining on the clock.  They scrambled a final try before the siren to regain the lead but will need to put in a more complete effort against Nedlands if they are to have any chance of toppling the competition leaders.

 

Defence will be key against Neddies, who have shown great strength in their attack throughout the season.

 

With fellow contenders UWA and Palmyra facing the lowly-placed Perth Bayswater and Kalamunda in the final round, a win this weekend is integral for Cottesloe to stay ahead of the chasing pack.

 

Nedlands have reigned over the competition since round one and look set to take out the minor premiership, provided they can register their 15^th victory when they host the Gulls on the annual Nedlands Ladies Day on Saturday.

 

Associates are hot on their heels but with a six-point buffer, Neddies will be quietly confident as they enter the finals series in pole position.

 

After a 47-19 drubbing of Wests Subiaco last weekend, Nedlands have regained their form after a couple of mid-season losses and are looking solid in the lead up to their 30^th straight finals campaign in the RugbyWA competition.

 

As it is Ladies Day, Nedlands will run out in a special blue and pink jersey and pink socks for the occasion with jerseys to be auctioned off and all proceeds will be donated to breast cancer research.

 

It’s a must-win game for Palmyra when they take on cellar-dwellers Kalamunda under lights at Tompkins Park tonight.

 

Kalamunda didn’t register a score when these sides last met and Palmyra will need to produce an even stronger performance to ensure they take home the competition points as well as give their percentage a much needed boost. 

 

Palmyra are on equal points with UWA but an inferior percentage has relegated them to fifth on the ladder and even if they come away with the victory they could still find themselves out of finals contention in September.

 

A lacklustre season has left Kalamunda at the bottom of the table and narrowly avoiding the wooden spoon title by one competition point.  They have nothing to lose when they travel to Tompkins Park on Friday and could dash Paly’s finals hopes in season 2012.

With neither side in the running for a finals berth, pride on the line when Wests Subiaco head south to take on Rockingham.

 

It will be Rockingham’s last match at Lark Hill in 2012 and they’ll be itching to finish the season on a high in front of their home crowd and relinquish the wooden spoon title.  The last time these sides clashed, Wests Subiaco piled on five tries to none and Rocky will need to be at their best to reverse the result.

 

Wests Subiaco started their 2012 campaign well but have slid through the back end of the season and they will be head into this clash looking to break a four-match losing streak.

 

Wests host Associates in the final game of the regular season next week in what is sure to be a tough match so they’ll be desperate to get a win over Rockingham this week to ensure they finish the season on a high.

Wanneroo are out of finals contention but could still play a major role in determining the make-up of the top four, should they produce a win over defending champions UWA this Saturday.

 

The Roo Dogs gave Cottesloe a fright in Round 16, making a blazing comeback in the second half, only to be beaten by four in the dying minutes.  Wanneroo are a very strong attacking side and have share the highest number of bonus points (14) with Associates and cannot be underestimated on Saturday.

 

UWA put the 25-7 Round Eight loss to Wanneroo behind them and will be confident they have the form to carry them through to another finals campaign.

 

Currently fourth, UWA are ahead of Palmyra on percentage only and desperately need the win to hold their place. A defeat will severely jeopardise their finals hopes, which would be a disappointing end for the reigning premiers.

 

Associates sit 11 points clear of the third-placed Cottesloe on the ladder and have second position well and truly sewn up for 2012.

 

Soaks can still claim the minor championship should they win their last two games and Nedlands suffer a loss in one of their final fixtures.

 

The last time these sides met, Associates took victory by just three points and will need to ensure they remain on their game when taking on the eighth-placed Perth Bayswater. 

 

Perth Bayswater shared the points with Rockingham in Round 16 with the sides playing out the first draw for the season.  They go into the match with nothing to lose, however, it remains a big challenge for the underdogs to topple the strong Swanbourne side.