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By RugbyWA Media
Contributors: Josh Zimmerman
It has become a race in three for the two remaining spots in the KWIK Premier Grade Finals with Cottesloe, Wests Subiaco and Associates still all in contention to join Nedlands and UWA in the playoffs.
With just one round remaining the competition remain extremly tight. For Palmyra and Wanneroo though, their post-season desires have been snuffed out.
Top of the table Neddies ended Paly’s finals aspirations by coming from behind to secure a 32 – 18 bonus point victory at the Foreshore while Wests Subiaco had a narrow two point win (21 - 19) to extinguish Wanneroo’s faint hopes.
Cott’s hot form continued winning their seventh in a row, this time at the expense of UWA (34 – 24) while Soaks too drew on their big game experience to dispatch a desperate Perth Bayswater by 13 points.
Wests failure to secure a bonus point may cost them with both Cottesloe and Associates getting the maximum five points from their matches and now have a buffer, albeit just a solitary point, heading into the final week of fixtures.
Nedlands though remain the team to catch after continuing their unbeaten run at home this season.
Palmyra threw everything at the Royal Blues and went into the break with a commanding lead only to be reined in by a stunning second half display from the minor Premiers.
It was deja-vu for Paly who once again dominated proceedings early only to be held scoreless in the second half as Neddies erased a 15 point deficit and then run away to win by 14.
“We had total dominance in the first half but we needed another ten points to show for it,” said Palmyra Coach John Taylor.
“We got nervous and made mistakes.
“We knew that Nedlands would come back and we just couldn't hold them off.
“They had a bigger bench than us, (scrum half) Nathan Roberts came on and gave them a lot more direction and they certainly upped their intensity in the second half which is what Nedlands is known for.
“Today's result was a fair reflection of the way that Nedlands played, they're a good side.”
Palmyra applied the early pressure and was rewarded for their territorial advantage with a straight forward shot at goal in the third minute which Rory Hutton duly converted.
Shortly afterwards Hutton had a chance to extend Palmyra's lead when a Neddies' tackler was penalised for failing to roll away but his attempt shaved the wrong side of the upright.
In the 12th minute inside centre Mike Denton tied things up when Nedlands finally managed to work their way into Palmyra's half and the visitors were penalised for having their hands in the ruck.
James Stannard immediately struck back putting Paly back in to the lead when he nailed a drop goal from 30m out in front.
A couple of minutes later a perfectly executed cut out pass from Stannard stretched the defence and allowed Ra Wilson to draw the last defender to the sideline before throwing a pass back inside to Jonny Altson who crashed over for the first try of the game.
In the 30th minute Palmyra hooker Nathan Fotuali'i appeared to dive over for his side's second try but a consultation between referee and touch judge revealed a double movement resulting instead in a Nedlands penalty.
Palmyra remained on the attack and after a number of close phases in Neddies' 22 the ball was sent wide and outside centre Scott Bowley found a small gap to dot down for the score.
Stannard assumed the kicking duties and converted from near the side line to stretch Paly's lead to 15.
On the stroke of half time Nedlands sent an ominous warning when number eight Ritchie Naylor burst through the line and went on a barrelling run before dragging his tackler over in the corner.
Denton missed the conversion but Palmyra's lead at the break was cut to ten.
Nedlands got off to as strong start in the second half and it didn't take long for Naylor to dive over for his second try after latching on to a loose ball in Paly's 22.
Denton nailed the straight forward conversion and from there Nedlands didn't look back.
Wave after wave of attack was launched and it wasn't long before the minor Premiers scored their third try, this time to replacement scrumhalf Nathan Roberts who took a penalty quickly and dashed over for the score.
Denton converted the try and Neddies led for the first time in the game.
Nedlands completed the turnaround and secured a bonus point victory in the 78th minute when flanker Dan Bailey intercepted a Palmyra pass and crossed untouched as the visitors desperately tried to score a long range try to keep their season alive.
“I thought Paly were really good in the first half,” said Nedlands Coach Tony Ball.
“They came at us and threw everything at us and physically we were a little bit stunned.
“Second half we were much more organised, Nathan Roberts made a big difference to our organisation.
“We also started securing our ball at the breakdown a lot better which gave our backs a bit more space and helped out our kicking game.”
“From the start of the year I think that they're one of the best teams that we've come up against so I'm happy that we won't be playing them in the finals.”
At the other end of the table Kalamunda will take the wooden spoon this year after Rockingham inflicted a 29 – 17 victory over the Bulls at Lark Hill. Rocky's efforts have seen them climb to eighth.
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