There were some serious shakeups around the country over the weekend with top teams swapping spots on the ladder and others claiming their coveted State Cups.
DARWIN PREMIER RUGBY
The Dragons have claimed back to back premierships in the 2020 Darwin Premier Rugby competition following a nail-biting performance.
The yellow and black side cemented a 17-15 win over Casuarina Cougars during overtime with Nigel Maher kicking a penalty goal.
COOPERS PREMIER GRADE
Round eight saw a top-of-the-table clash between Old Collegians and Brighton who were competing for the Bob Burgess Cup. After a few close calls, Brighton managed to snatch it winning 34-27.
Match of the round was a tough battle with Onkaparinga taking home a 39-25 win against Southern Suburbs.
Elizabeth clocked up their first win of the season against Adelaide University 35-26, whilst Burnside thrashed Port Adelaide 65-7 and Woodville enjoyed a comfortable 38-12 win against Barossa.
In the women’s divisions Burnside defeated Port Adelaide 77-10, Onkaparinga triumphed Southern Suburbs 62-10 and Woodville cruised home winning 26-0 over Barossa.
This weekends' match of the round is between Southern Suburbs and Burnside at Clarence Gardens from 3:40pm ASCT and will be streamed live via Rugby Xplorer.
FORTESCUE RESCUE PREMIER GRADE
Last Saturday’s results could have huge implications come finals following some massive upsets in round seven of the Fortescue Premier Grade.
Ninth placed Perth Bayswater had their best match of the season thusfar beating fourth placed Nedlands by a single point. It’s a heavy blow for the usually dominant ‘Neddies’ side with the second half of their season packed with top tier fixtures.
Wanneroo easily got over Southern Lions in the match of the round. Former RugbyWA Senior Academy athlete and current Western Force signee Grason Makara was the clear standout, bagging himself a hattrick in the 33-point victory.
Cottesloe fullback Jack McDermott also secured himself three tries in a 56-0 victory over the Coastal Cavaliers while ARKs went down to Wests Scarborough 5-29 in what was a tough day for the southern clubs.
In other contests Palmyra got up over UWA by 21 points and Associates emerged as the biggest contenders for the 2020 premiership delivering Joondalup their first loss of the season in a 38-13 victory. ‘Soaks’ club legend Hugh Norcross managed to score a try in a special game for the fullback and now joins an elite group of WA Rugby players with 150 Premier Grade appearances.
Looking ahead, Associates will face historic rivals UWA in match of the round down at McGillivray Oval which will be livestreamed from 3:30pm AWST on the RugbyWA website, YouTube page and through Rugby Xplorer.
JOHN I DENT CUP
While there were only two matchups last Saturday in the John I Dent Cup there was certainly no lack of action with Vikings and Wests taking the treats.
In a top-of-the-table clash Tuggeranong star Isaac Henry stole the show with a cracking try and the winning penalty goal after the hooter to beat the Uni-Norths Owls 26-25.
Wests on the other hand were dominant against Queanbeyan despite shipping a red card just 15 minutes into the game. The final score from Jamison enclosed 30-14 to the Lions.
The Gungahlin Eagles vs Royals game was unfortunately postponed until this weekend however on the plus side Marco Caputo's side will welcome back Wallabies great Matt Giteau to where his stellar career started, in ACT clubland.
That matchup will be livestreamed on Saturday from 3.05pm AEST on Brumbies Facebook & Bar TV.
SHUTE SHIELD
Fans were on the edge of their seats when students from Sydney University conceded two late tries and came agonisingly close to winning against Southern Districts 32-31.
The match was made extra special with Uni donning electric pink socks to support The Banksia Project which supports mental health initiatives.
On other grounds Gordon recorded their first win over Manly in 12 years, taking the Marlins down 26-3.
Norths thumped Hunter Wildfires 50-10, Eastwood claimed a 57-14 win over Two Blues, Randwick stole the show over Penrith winning 59-3 and Warringah beat West Harbour 28-14.
Next weekend the Wildfires and Gordon match will be in the spotlight with the game kicking off at 3:10pm AEST which can be watched LIVE and FREE on 7TWO or download the 7PLUS app.
TASMANIA
Devonport continue to dominate in the premiership division following another win over University.
The rivalry between Taroona and Harlequins also continues to be fierce after Taroona this time took home the victory winning 22-10.
Hobart Lions also scrapped through with a win over Glenorchy 10-7.
In the Championship division, Launceston took the points over Burnie 17-0 whilst Taroona held off Eastern Suburbs 10-5.
In the women’s division there was a battle for the Haywood/Proctor Plate with Tamar Valley Vixons taking a clean sweep defeating Burnie 3 games to nil.
This Saturday will see a top-of-the table clash between Devonport and Taroona at 2:00pm AEST at Don Recreation Oval.
HOSPITAL CHALLENGE CUP
Round 3 of the Hospital Challenge Cup was action packed as the clubs began playing for points towards the finals standings.
Last year’s top four were in action against each other, with Brothers hosting GPS, whilst Easts travelled to St Lucia to take on reigning premiers University of Queensland in match of the round.
At Yoku Road the Gallopers outscored Brothers three-tries-to-two, claiming a 26-13 win.
At St Lucia, it was a tighter affair with both UQ and Easts scoring four tries a piece. The boot of halfback Eli Pilz proved the difference for the Tigers with four successful conversions and a penalty delivering Easts a 31-24 win over the 2019 Hospital Challenge Cup Holders.
While The Red Heavies had young Downlands product Mac Grealy on debut at fullback who crossed for a brace of tries, their forward pack couldn’t quell the attacking weapon that was the Easts’ scrum, succumbing to two yellow cards for scrum infringements. A try from former Wallabies Captain Ben Mowen running from the back of the scrum secured the win for Easts.
Sunnybank’s Tom Lucas also kicked his side to victory over Souths, slotting three penalties to deliver the Dragons their first win of the season in a low scoring 14-13 south-side derby.
