The boots are being dusted off, the strapping tape bought in bulk, months of pre-season coming to an end, it’s time for club rugby!
Club Corner returns in 2023, with fans and players alike excited for the year this season will bring them. With the World Cup on the horizon in France, players will be motivated to put their names forward for higher honours, and clubs will be battling it out for their own slice of club history!
The season got underway last week with a thrilling opening round over in Western Australia, and this week the Hospital Challenge Cup returns for the opening round of the season, with fans in Brisbane excited to see if Wests can defend their title from their ever encroaching competitors!
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FORTESCUE PREMIER GRADE - ROUND TWO
Following in similar vein to the promising start the Western Force have had in Super Rugby, the Fortescue Premier Grade kicked off in emphatic style last weekend. With a revised premier grade competition of eleven teams and a twenty-two round regular season, there will be no shortage of rugby in clubland WA!
Round One saw several big statements made, starting with UWA putting in a commanding performance to knock off the premiers Wests in a thrilling grand final rematch at the Library. Kalamunda saw off a spirited Southern Lions, Wanneroo got up over Associates, Perth Bayswater won in a thriller over Joondalup Brothers, and Cottesloe fired a massive warning shot to the rest of the competition, dispatching Nedlands.
This weekend, UWA will look to continue their start when they face Wanneroo, Palmyra will start their campaign against Perth Bayswater, and Cottesloe will welcome Kalamunda to Harvey Field.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Nedlands vs Wests Scarborough (Live on Stan Sport)
One of the classic rivalries of the Fortescue Premier Grade, both teams will be looking to make a statement after being on the receiving end of big losses against Cottesloe and UWA, respectively. Wests will likely fancy their chances to restart their title defence, taking some confidence from a better second half last week. Nedlands are a different kettle of fish at home, however, and have shown they only need one or two good performances to set themselves for a solid season!
Other Fixtures
Associates - BYE
UWA v Wanneroo (YouTube Live Stream)
Southern Lions v Joondalup
Perth Bayswater v Palmyra
Cottesloe v Kalamunda
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Rising Player
There are few things more beautiful than props running at full tilt, and Charles Connolly from UWA had a blinder in their win over Wests. While everyone remembers his full tilt try that saw him step and outpace Force loose forward Kane Koteka, he also had a solid game at set piece in the scrum, proving instrumental in their win.
QUEENSLAND PREMIER GRADE - ROUND ONE
Clubland will be buzzing this weekend in Brisbane as the Hospital Challenge Cup returns in 2023! After an enthralling 2022 season, fans will enjoy not just the return of the men’s competition, but also the kicking off of the Women’s competition concurrently.
Wests will be the team to beat, following their fulfilling of years of promise when they claimed the Cup last year. They will be out to make a statement however, following their loss to Sydney University in the annual Australian Club Championship clash earlier this month.
Many teams will be looking to challenge them, while others will be using this opportunity to put tough seasons behind them and deliver improved results.
MATCH OF THE ROUND - Wests vs Bond University
It’s the contenders vs one of the big rising challengers to kick off the round, as Wests head to Sci-Fleet Stadium to face the Bullsharks. Bond Uni have had an exciting pre-season, with their women's team winning in inaugural Women’s Australian Club Championship fixture earlier this month, defeating Gordon 29-26.
Adding to the improved performance of the men’s side in the last few seasons, and the club as a whole would have good reason to believe they can claim their first Hospital Cup, and there would be no better place to start than defeating the current title holders. Wests will be desperate to defend this title however: they are the current Cup holders for a reason, and they will be hard to challenge.
Other Fixtures
Brothers - BYE
UQ v GPS
Sunnybank v Easts
Souths v Norths
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Rising Player
This weekend in the QPR Women’s competition, keep an eye out for young Bullshark winger Dianne Waight. A classy finisher and a dangerous weapon in space, Dianne picked up a hat-trick of tries in their sides win over Gordon earlier this month. Keep up this form and you may see her in the Super W soon!
Enjoy your club rugby this weekend wherever you are, and welcome to the 2023 season. She’s going to be a beauty!
