RugbyWA Premier Grade: Associates and Cottesloe keep pace with league-leaders Palmyra

Associates and Cottesloe kept pace with Premier Grade leaders Palmyra at the top of the ladder with six rounds to go, with the pair both overcoming strong challenges to win on the weekend.

With Palmyra enjoying the weekend off with a bye, the two western suburbs clubs moved to within five points of the league leaders.

Nedlands leapt into the top four with a big win over Joondalup Brothers, while Southern Lions’ post-season hopes took a blow after they fell to defeat against Wanneroo.

Associates held off bottom-placed Wests Scarborough in a titanic 41-38 struggle at Allen Park as they survived three tries in the last 11 minutes from the visitors to stay in second spot.

Cottesloe were involved in a similarly-high-scoring affair with Perth Bayswater, prevailing 38-35 at Harvey Field.

After the hosts jumped out to an early 14-3 lead, the visitors worked their way back into the contest and managed to take the lead, before late tries to Ethan Cayless and Kainoa Gudgeon secured the win.

Nedlands scored seven tries to three in their 31-point victory over Joondalup as they jumped above UWA on the ladder after their 45-10 loss to Kalamunda, who scored three tries in each half to seal a comprehensive win.

Nine points adrift of UWA are the sixth-placed Southern Lions, who lost ground on the top four after falling to a 30-24 defeat to Wanneroo.

The pick of round 11’s games this coming weekend is Nedlands’ clash with Cottesloe at Sir Charles Court Reserve, while it will be top-vs-bottom at Bennett Park when Wests host Palmyra.