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Melville Times sports preview: Palmyra Rugby Union Club back in finals action

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Josh ZimmermanMelville Gazette

Palmyra Rugby Union Club

Palmyra returns to Premier Grade finals action for the first time since 2013 after finishing third on the ladder.

Lying in wait is traditional Perth rugby powerhouse Nedlands who host the game at The Foreshore on Sunday afternoon.

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The Palms downed Neddies 20-7 in the last meeting between these sides five weeks ago; but that match was played at Tompkins Park and in a torrential downpour that favoured Pally’s intimidating forward pack.

Sunday’s forecast is for a clear and sunny day and so the backlines of both teams will likely have far more influence in this encounter.

Both sides have run in more than 40 points for three consecutive weeks and in perfect rugby conditions, this game could well turn into a shootout.

Melville City Hockey Club

The Melville City men return to Morris Buzzacott Reserve to take on Fremantle Hockey Club in a clash that will have a significant bearing on the makeup of the State Hockey League finals series.

Sixth-placed Fremantle is desperate to force its way into a finals position while Melville is equally determined to solidify its hold on third-place with just two home and away rounds remaining.

The hosts have won four in a row and will enter as favourites but mindful of the fact they were beaten 4-3 by the same opposition in the opening round of the competition back in April.

After falling 4-1 to Victoria Park last weekend the women must bounce back quickly against CT Pirates to return to finals contention.

Sixth on the ladder with four rounds to play, Melville will likely have to win out to sneak into the playoffs.

Melville City Football Club

Melville City hosts Swan United as it attempts to consolidate its spot in the top half of the table.

Mark Lucas is set to return from suspension, although coach Gavin Brown will be sweating over the fitness of Cameron McLaren and Adam Mangion, who suffered injuries during last weekend’s victory over Curtin University.

Swan United sits just below Melville in fifth and won the corresponding round six fixture at the Swan Italian Club 3 – 1.

Melville Rams Football Club

The Rams square off with Collegians at Dalkeith Oval in the final round of the West Australian Amateur Football League but appear destined for relegation regardless of the result.

After losing to Wembley 26.12 (168) to 9.7 (61) last weekend, Melville is ninth on the ladder with the worst percentage in the B-Grade competition.

Although just four points behind eighth-placed Wanneroo, the Rams would need a monumental win coupled with a heavy Wanneroo loss to climb out of the relegation zone.

Collegians beat Melville by 22 points the last time these sides met back in round nine.