Saturday 18th April, saw Wests host both Cottesloe and Joondalup for the opening round of the Season. Under 18’s were first to start off the schedule of games however they won by default from Cottesloe, so recorded a 25-0 win. Under 20’s also played Cottesloe on Field 1 and after a slow start where the game was fairly even for the first 15 or so minutes, Wests ended up taking control and won 55-14. Try scorers for Wests were Nick McLennan, Matt Tau, Ben Heenan, Michael Parker (2), Sam Roberts, Tane Edwards and Sheldon Tarawa (2) who also kicked 5 conversions. Player of the day was Nick Kehoe. 3rd Grade played Joondalup on Field 2 and held their own for 90% of the game and led 15-14 with around 8 minutes to go, but some poor tackling let in 3 tries in those last 8 minutes and Joondalup won 31-15. Scorers for Wests were Tristan Abbott and Richard Hyde, whilst Dan Broughton kicked a penalty and a conversion. Player of the day was Yoshihito Ooka. 4ths follow on from 3rds also playing Joondalup and came away with a good win 21-12. Try scorers for Wests were Daikyu Kajimura, Steve Freeman and Gary Jowett who also kicked 3 conversions. Player of the day was Daikyu Kajimura. 2nds took on Cottesloe on Field 1 and Cott. Raced out to a 12-0 lead, however Wests came back and won 23-17. Try scorers for Wests were Simon Demergue, who also was Player of the Day and Matt O’Brien, whilst Craig Barrett kicked a penalty and a conversion and Peter Powderly kicked 2 penalties and a conversion. A good win for 2nds. 1sts also played Cottesloe and started with a very young side with the front row all below 23 years of age and 4 of the backs ages ranging from 18 to 21. Cotts experience told and they took out the game 51-3. Whilst it was not a flogging there is room for a lot of improvement and having had only one pre season game probably did not help Wests cause. The Club Head & 1st Grade Coach Wayne Gibson’s mission is to give young players in the Club and any from other Clubs who are not getting a fair go at their Club due to imports, the opportunity to play 1st Grade. This mission is strongly backed by the Committee and Wests are looking at a three year program, as we know this development will not happen overnight. Next week we are all at Allen Park to play Associates, all games will be played Sunday 26th April due to Anzac Day being on the Saturday.