Associates scored a surprise 30-25 win over Palmyra, making it to the Premier Grade semi-finals
Camera IconAssociates scored a surprise 30-25 win over Palmyra, making it to the Premier Grade semi-finals Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Rugby union: Palmyra too good for Nedlands in 23-12 win

Denise S. CahillWestern Suburbs Weekly

PALMYRA powered past Nedlands 23-12 at the Foreshore on Saturday afternoon, extending its lead at the top of the Premier Grade table.

In trying conditions for both sides, two tries either side of half time was enough for the premiership favourites, with Nedlands unable to capitalise in the second stanza.

Pally began the fixture with a strong breeze in its favour however it was the hosts who struck first through number 8 Lorcan Dow.

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Kauri Cudd broke through the defensive line of the visitors, with an offload to Terangi Fraser before Dow added the finishing touches to a terrific team try.

A string of penalties resulted in Palmyra answering immediately, with flyhalf Sam Jurusich nailing the conversion from long range to cut the margin to just two points.

The constant Pally pressure continued to take its toll with a penalty at the breakdown again allowing Jurusich to nail three points, giving his side a slender lead midway through the first half.

The visitor’s pack then went to work from a lineout with a rolling maul from outside the 22 pushing the Nedlands defence back, before hooker Shane Manu dotted the ball over the line to extend the advantage.

Jurusich then made it three penalty conversions for the half with an offside infringement seeing the lead built to 11 points at the midway point of the game.

Despite having the wind advantage to begin the second half, Nedlands could not convert its opportunities, with ball handling errors costing the home side dearly.

Palmyra was strong in defence and eventually rewarded, with fullback Manihera Eden cutting through the line of Nedlands before drawing the final defender and handing the ball off to Chris Miller, who finished in fine style across the line.

The Palmyra pack was dominant against the breeze with Mees Erasmus leading the charge with a number of storming runs, denying Nedlands a chance to get back into the fixture.

Nedlands was able to manage a consolation try, after a set play from a lineout saw the ball played down the right hand side, before Zach Makavilitogia dived over the line to restore respectability to the scoreboard.

Despite a late flurry from the home side it was not enough as Pally ran out 11-point victors, extending its lead at the top to seven points with three rounds to go in the regular season.

In other matches, Associates defeated Wanneroo 29-26, Cottesloe beat UWA 24-0, Kalamunda had a 27-24 win over Joondalup 24 and Wests Scarborough defeated Perth Bayswater 82-0.

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