Pindan Premier Grade Preview - Week 13

 

UWA squares off against Wests Subiaco in this week’s Pindan Premier Grade match of the round as the race for the top four intensifies.

 

With Nedlands (52 points) and Associates (46) starting to clear of the field with six matches remaining, the competition for the remaining two places is fierce.

 

Saturday’s match featuring the fourth-placed UWA and third-placed Wests (both 36 points) will go some way to determining the make-up of the finals, with Cottesloe (36) and Palmyra (35) also still very much in contention.

 

Both UWA and Wests Subiaco secured comfortable wins last weekend, with the students cruising home by 24 points over Rockingham and Wests having Perth Bayswater’s measure to the tune of 32-17.

 

With just two points separating the side’s in their Round 4 match-up, University coach Steve McFarland said he expected another tight tussle this weekend.

 

“It’s a new week, new preparation and a new opponent,” he said. “This is an important game for both teams in the context of the season and we have had some close encounters with Wests over the last few seasons.

 

“They have some exciting and dangerous runners in the backs, who, if given opportunity, can cause damage.

 

“Their forward pack is mobile and they have some effective ball carriers. In particular, their back row is very good.”

 

After consecutive bonus point wins in the past fortnight, Wests Subiaco coach Steve Montgomery said his team has been provided with some momentum going into this week’s match.   

 

“Uni have already beaten us this season and we are on level points, so this week’s clash will be a great game of rugby,” he said. “Steve’s a real tactical and technical coach so we will expect to be tested in every element of the game.”

 

 

After serving Nedlands their first loss of the season last weekend, Associates are sitting tight in second spot on the ladder and will be looking to continue their winning streak against Rockingham.

 

A second half surge has seen Soaks establish themselves as the competition’s form side, having won seven of their past eight matches, including their last six straight. Last weekend’s come-from-behind 25-23 win over Neddies ensured that the Swanbourne club have now beaten each team currently within the top four.

 

Unfortunately the news hasn’t been as bright for Rockingham, who went down to UWA last week, 44-20. However, their form at home has often belied their lowly rank on the competition table, having claimed a 27-15 win over Wanneroo a fortnight ago, as well as picking and pushing finals contender Cottesloe and league-leading Nedlands in their ventures to Port Kennedy.

 

 

Nedlands will be looking to rebound from last weekend’s first loss of the season when they tackle Palmyra.

 

Neddies squandered a 23-3 lead last weekend against Associates, going down 25-23, and coach Tony Ball will be ensuring his side doesn’t repeat that performance should they find themselves in a similar position this week.

 

Palmyra has been one of the Jackal-and-Hyde teams of this year’s competition – able to knock off competition front-runners one week while slipping to sides below them the next.

 

Last weekend’s two point win over Wanneroo helped erase memories of the previous round’s 42-18 hiding at the hands of Cottesloe.

 

With Paly just one point outside the top four, they will need a strong showing against the competition’s top side to demonstrate their premiership credentials for 2012.

 

 

After a slim two-point loss to Palmyra last weekend, it is make-or-break time for Wanneroo, who now sit 10 points adrift of the Pindan Premier Grade finals contenders.

 

Their last encounter in May against Saturday’s opponents was a forgettable one for the Roodogs, with the visitors providing Kalamunda with their sole victory of the season.

 

Kalamunda will be eager to improve on the past fortnight, that has seen them bleed 91 points against Cottesloe and Wests Subiaco.

 

 

Fifth-placed Cottesloe will be seeking a win over Perth Bayswater this weekend to maintain their place amongst the finals contenders.

 

The seaside club will soon to enter a season-defining period of the season when they front three of the teams above them in the next four weeks.

 

Meanwhile, Perth Bayswater will be looking to respond to last weekend’s 32-17 loss to0 Wests Subiaco.

 

While finals are out of the question for Perth this season, they have the potential to upset the play-offs apple cart in the final six rounds, while distancing themselves from the bottom of the Pindan Premier Grade ladder.