Palmyra v Kalamunda Friday Night Game

Night time club rugby has to be the way to go in the future. Last night at Pally was a window to the future of the game locally.

Two great teams in both first and second grades battling it out, with officials from most other clubs observing and taking notes, and the combatants giving their all in contests thet went down to the wire.

Don't ask me the final scores, I know Pally won both games by 10 to 15 points, but the atmosphere and intensity were unbelievable, as was the crowd which I would estimate to be about 1000 - 1500 people.

Both games were played fiercely and fairly, and in good spirit, and neither sides deserved to lose.

Palmyra's first grade pack was awesome, the biggest set of forwards I have ever seen in local rugby, and their domination of scrums, lineouts and second, third and fourth phase ball retention, and beyond, was inspiring.

Kala had their fancy pod pattern of attack and defence in place, but it was destroyed by the brutal power and ferocity of Palmyra, and in the end they were forced to return to basic ball retention and ball distribution skills, which did no better for them in the face of the onslaught, but at least restricted Palmyra's opportunities to drive through between the chasms between the pods, which left the centre field undefended.

I enjoyed the night's contests immensely and full credit to referee John Hill, who kept tight control throughout the Premier fixture.

So Fulv, how does that work, I take it that the rest of the Grades play today?
Would the extra evenings bar takings etc cover the cost of opening twice each weekend?

Yes, all other grades play this afternoon.
Most of the firsts and seconds and quite a number of supporters turn up to watch the lower grades and colts, and it becomes a more casual afternoon of Rugby.

From past experience the take from the bar from Friday, which is condensed into three hours or so, is only marginally more than on the Saturday, which is over five hours on the main pitch close to the bar. Overall trade is about 50% more than if the games were all played on the one afternoon.

As our club has permanent casual staff and is open for functions in any event, it only really means an extra two or so staff members are required for the sports bar.

The canteen also does well on both days, with people coming straight from work on Friday, and everyone wanting something again on the long Saturday afternoon.

Sounds good :thumbsup:

sounds like a great night rocky had one last year and went very well would like to know if any teams would like to change to a night game this year if possible.

Round 5
Premier Grade


Rockingham 16 v Wanneroo 61 Lark Hil
Perth Bayswater 11 v UWA 21 Pat O'Hara
Palmyra 23 v Kalamunda 5 Tompkins Park
Cottesloe 30 v Nedlands 27 Harvey Field
Associates 34 v Wests Subiaco 17 Allen Park

Ladder after Round 5
Team Played won Lost Points
Cottesloe----5 5 0 23
Nedlands-----5 4 1 20
Kalamunda---5 4 1 18
Palmyra------5 3 1 16
Wanneroo----5 2 3 12
Associates---5 2 2 12
UWA---------5 2 3 8
Wests Sub---5 1 4 6
Rocking------5 1 4 5
Perth --------5 0 5 2


Round 7 Fixtures

Home Team v Away Team Location Time
Wests Subiaco v Rockingham Rosalie 15:30
Nedlands v UWA Sir Charles Court Reserve / Field 1 15:30
Perth Bayswater v Palmyra Pat O'Hara 15:30
Wanneroo v Associates Kingsway / Field 1 15:30
Kalamunda v Cottesloe Hartfield / Field 1 15:30

What is going on at Kala? I counted 1 or 2 regular first graders in the foward pack, where were all the big mongrels that smashed Wanneroo the week before? Injured? Sydney? And thier backs were just aimless, not the Bulls team we are acustomed to seeing. Paly backs were equally aimless but thier giant pack were outstanding, dominating with thier pick and drive old school bayswater style play, scrum was impressive also, but it did look like they were playing a pack of school boys. I'd probably give the lineouts to Kala though. Players of the match no8 Paly and no2 Kala
Also Great night at the club, Ladies night was awesome,

Looks as if Wanneroo is trying to steady the boat. I would not be surprised if they end up in the top 4 :whatever:

Premiers
Rockingham 16 v Wanneroo 61

Reserve
Rockingham 5 v Wanneroo 53

3rds
Bye

4th
Bye

U/20
Joondalup 12 v Wanneroo 29

U/18
Southern Lions 7 v Wanneroo 27

It was very interesting to see Stephano Hunt and Josh tatupu run out for SOuthern Districts against Randwick on Saturday. Southern districts have a very wealthy benefactor (currently working out a deal with Quade Cooper to stay at the reds) who has brought in a number of fringe S14 players including Sitaleki Timani, Hunt, Tatupu and Dan Palmer while inspiring some top notch Sydney club players like Josh Camgee to join them.

Tatupu did pretty well before being replace by Hunt, who was quiet but tried hard to get involved. Timani was awesome in the first half and they smashed the Randwick scrum. Districts flogged them in the end and are undeafeated.

Good to see some Force boys playing well in a tough comp, but sad to see the local WA comp missing out on some talented players.

However the Force B team (Warringah) are rubbish this year and lost to Penrith. Pek and Haig would be better off staying in Perth after the S14.