Here's a quick recap of all the action that went down over the weekend.
HOSPITAL CUP
The past weekend saw the return of the Hospital Challenge Cup with clubs around Brisbane enjoying their first taste of Rugby since March. In the match of the round between GPS and Wests, all eyes were on the GPS’ water-boy with former Queensland Reds centre Samu Kerevi keeping the Gallopers hydrated as they secured a 59-45 win over the Bulldogs.
Easts claimed the Bunter Bowl with a 51-24 win over Sunnybank, University of Queensland ran in seven tries for a 39-20 win over Norths and Souths impressed in an upset 30-14 win over Brothers.
A little further north, the Sunshine Coast competition return to play with a 2019 Grand Final rematch in which reigning premiers Caloundra Lighthouses secured a narrow 7-5 win over the University of the Sunshine Coast.
Round two of the Hospital Challenge Cup will be streamed LIVE through the Rugby Xplorer App and fixtures can be found on the QLD Premier Rugby Facebook page.
SHUTE SHIELD
Round three of the Shute Shield was packed with gritty battles and tight scores. In match of the round Northern Suburbs secured their third straight win for the season against Manly. Despite both sides claiming three tries, it was Angus Sinclair’s’ boot that pushed the Shoremen to victory, contributing 13 points from two penalties plus a drop goal and two conversions.
Warringah notched their first win after a nail-biting finish against Eastern Suburbs. With the scores even on 28 a piece, Harley Attwater kicked the winning penalty to finish 31-28. Southern Districts also claimed a tough win against the Emus whilst Luke Nadurutalo scored Penrith’s first try in two years after the bell, to end 14-29 to the Rebels.
Despite a 0-0 scoreboard at half-time, Randwick ran away with a 0-42 win against the home team Two Blues. Sydney University and Eastwood both secured big wins again Hunter (10-59) and West Harbour (42-10) to put them third and sixth on the ladder respectively.
This Saturday 2020 favourites Gordon, led by Coach Darren Coleman, will host his former premiership winning side Warringah at Chatswood Oval for round 4s’ match of the round at 3:00pm AEST. The game can be watched LIVE & FREE on 7TWO or download the 7PLUS app.
Round four will also see Eastern Suburbs host Eastwood at Woollahra Oval whilst Manly take on the Hunter Wildfires and Southern Districts will welcome the Two Blues to fortress Forshaw. Sydney Uni will go head-to-head with Penrith and West Harbour who are looking for their first win of the season will take on ladder leaders Randwick. All games kick-off at 3pm AEST.
Fortescue Premier Grade
This weekend saw the Joondalup Brothers emerge as serious contenders for the 2020 season after upsetting 2019 Grand Finalists Nedlands to retain the RugbyWA Cup.
Returning outside centre Kade Pearce starred in the match, slotting into the back line to assist former Force fullback Clay Uyen and Captain Shledon Tarawa seal the win and leap-frog Joondalup to second place on the Premier Grade ladder.
The Brothers and Cottesloe are now the only two teams who remain undefeated after UWA suffered their first lost to ‘The Gulls’ at Harvey Field. Perth Bayswater’s hard work over the off-season is now paying off following a dominant win over Curtin which now places them seventh on the ladder. The Numbat’s number eight Faamanu Kalolo was the obvious standout in the 52-point win.
Associates also claimed a 22-27 victory against Palmyra whilst Southern Lions rolled over rivals ARKs in a 45-0 drumming at Success Sportsplex. Finally Wests Scarborough have now notched up two wins beating Wanneroo 21-34 thanks to some impressive kicking from Fly-Half Walter Koteka.
Next weekend will see the whole of WA Senior Rugby have its first ‘Belt Up’ round of the year with all games dedicated to the road safety message of wearing a seatbelt. Palmyra will host match of the round against the Coastal Cavaliers at 3:30pm AWST which will be live streamed on https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCN2DngXyiQsV1wgjnguEK1g and the Rugby Xplorer App.
DARWIN PREMIER RUGBY
Round 10 of Premier Rugby up north saw the Cougars claim a tight 29-27 win over South Darwin Rabbitohs at Rugby Park.
Pirates and Palmerston hosted a special R U OK? round which raised funds for mental health each time a try was scored and equated to a healthy figure after Uni thrashed Palmerston 100-10.
Next weekend the NT will be the first state in the country to host the Semi Finals with Uni Pirates taking on the Darwin Dragons at 5:30pm ACST at Rugby Park followed by the Casuarina Cougars and South Darwin at 7:30pm ACST.
JOHN I DENT CUP
The Uni-North Owls continue to set the early pace in the John I Dent Cup after coming away from Saturday's match of the round tussle against the Queanbeyan Whites with a 35-0 win.
Around the grounds Gungalin Eagles’ led for much of the game but couldn't hold out against Tuggies with Jake Simeon crossing for the winner after the hooter and claiming a 22-00 win at Nicholls Enclosed.
Royals struggled continue after Adam Butt's Wests turned the Champions over 24-22 at Phillip Oval. This Saturday the Owls take on the Gungahlin Eagles in match of the round at 3:00pm AEST at ANU North Oval which will be streamed LIVE through Rugby Xplorer and the John I Dent Cup Facebook page.
COOPERS PREMIER GRADE
Round six of the Coopers Premier Grade saw a heated match of the round with underdogs Onkaparinga claiming a 30-15 victory over Old Collegians.
In other games, Adelaide University stole the show with a 32-12 win over Barossa, Burnside stomped Woodville 62-17, Port Adelaide claimed a 48-13 win over a struggling Elizabeth team and in a tighter game Brighton came home with the chocolates over Southern Suburbs 46-19.
In the women’s competition Onkaparinga defeated Old Collegians 65-20, Brighton beat Southern Suburbs 36-5, Adelaide University had a convincing win over Barossa 66-12 and Burnside claimed a 40-15 win over Woodville with Burnsides’ Bonnie Meredith scoring the first try in the Women’s Calcutta.
This week’s match of round is between Port Adelaide and Woodville at 3:30pm ACST which will be streamed live via the SA Rugby Union Facebook page and the Rugby Xplorer App.
TASMANIA
Round two of Premiership Rugby saw a Grand Final rematch where the Devonport Bulls continue to have the wood over Tasmanian Rugby Union rivals Harlequins.
The Bulls were far too strong for their opponents and secured a 48-0 thumping at Rugby Park on Saturday.
