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Two rounds left, six clubs still in with a chance in tight run home for RugbyWA premier grade play-offs

Nick TaylorThe West Australian
UWA and Perth-Bayswater are both in the mix for a RugbyWA premiership.
Camera IconUWA and Perth-Bayswater are both in the mix for a RugbyWA premiership. Credit: True Spirit Photography/True Spirit Photography

The RugbyWA division one premiership title is going down to the wire with six clubs still in the running for four play-off spots.

Top-placed UWA with 60 points and Wests Scarborough, three points behind, are almost guaranteed of making the semi-finals with two games remaining.

But only five points separate the four chasing sides with Nedlands on 51, one point ahead of Perth-Bayswater and Associates.

Even reigning premiers Cottesloe, sixth on 46 points and chasing their fourth consecutive title, cannot be ruled out.

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Associates, in the hunt despite a slow start to the season when they went four rounds without a win, are at Wests on Saturday.

Associates coach Sape Misa has lost a couple of players with injury from his young side including Western Force flanker Tim Anstee who was moved to the Swanbourne-based side by the Super club from Wanneroo for the finals.

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“It took us a while to find our mojo. We had a massive playbook in the beginning but I made the plan a little simpler so the boys can react faster,” Misa said.

“We have been playing catch-up but the boys are more understanding of what we want to do.”

In their last seven games Associates have not opted to kick a penalty.

“The boys backed themselves to score tries,” Misa said.

“It’s a young team slowly learning about scoreboard pressure but we’re at the pointy end now and we have to take points when they are available.”

Cottesloe are at home to Perth-Bayswater and Nedlands travel to UWA in the other games.

The premier grade split the top six into a division one play off after 13 rounds with the seven other clubs playing off for the division two title.

Division two sides have four rounds left with the top two going straight to the grand final.

Palmyra look to be on their way to the minor premiership after a convincing 40-13 win over second-placed Wanneroo stretched their lead to 10 points but the Roo Dogs cannot afford to stumble against third-placed Southern Lions at Kingsway.

Meanwhile Nedlands won the Colts premiership with an 18-12 grand final win over Perth-Bayswater at The Foreshore.

Nedlands, RugbyWA Colts 2022 premiers, go on the system please
Camera IconNedlands are the 2022 Rugby WA colts premiers. Credit: Josh Cochrane Photography/Josh Cochrane Photography
Nedlands, RugbyWA Colts 2022 premiers, go on the system please
Camera IconNedlands beat Perth-Bayswater in the final. Credit: Josh Cochrane Photography/Josh Cochrane Photography

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