Saturday 23rd June saw all 5 teams head down to the Foreshore to play our near neighbours Nedlands, with the weather being strong winds with heavy squally showers. Colts kicked off on Field 1 against Nedlands Gold who were a considerable number of places above Wests on the ladder and played with the strong breeze in the first half. Wests had clear territory and possession dominance throughout the game and went on to record a gutsy win 20 points to nil. Top performances from Keith Bradley, Peter Powderly, Dan Corsbie, Rhys King, Frank Barker, Sam Cogin and Liam O'Connor. 3rds kicked off on Field 2 at the same time as Colts taking on a Nedlands side that had beaten them by 10 points in the first round and who had former State first five Brad Wilkinson playing for them. After going down 0-3 to an early penalty, Wests were hot on attack in the Nedlands 22 when they spilled the ball and Nedlands countered and ran the length of the field to score under the posts, 10 - 0 to Nedlands. The half finished with Nedlands leading 10-6 after Paul Connelly kicked two penalties. The second half had Wests playing into the wind and Nedlands kicked another penalty before the ball was onloaded to Tristan Abbot on the wing for Wests where he ran almost 75 metres outsprinting the opposition to score under the posts making it 13-13 with 15 minutes to play. Nedlands scored another penalty and then with Wests looking good and on attack, two successive lineout throws not finding their target from Wests throw ins saw Nedlands surge down field and score taking the final score to Nedlands 23 Wests 13. 4ths followed on from 3rds, playing a combined Nedlands 4th and 5ths as Nedlands 5ths had a bye, so it was going to be a tough ask. Nedlands ran out winners 31 points to 15, so it was a good effort by 4ths but just that little bit too much to ask. 2nd Grade took on the previously unbeaten Nedlands team after 9 games, who had a number of former first grade players in their ranks. Wests were determined to inflict their first loss for the season and played magnificent team rugby to win by 21 points to 10, scoring 3 tries to 1. Top performances by Ephraim Stephens, Matt O'Brien, Hayden Hamilton who scored 2 tries, Doobs, Greg Plimmer who scored the final try to put the result beyond doubt, Regan Harray, Robbie Keen, Marshall Wells, Mike Ratcliffe, whilst the front row of Irish, Matt and Nathan held their own, with Joji coming on as sub just after half time and leading from the front. Top win guys, there is no reason you can't go through the second round undefeated. 1sts Grade kicked off with all Wests supporters hoping they would follow on from where 2nds left off. Unfortunately it wasn't to be as Nedlands seemed to be far fitter and more committed to chasing the ball. Nedlands started with the wind at their backs and used it wisely kicking into the bottom corner pinning Wests down in their 22. Half time saw Nedlands leading 24 points to 5, and with Wests having the wind at their backs didn't follow what Nedlands had done and use it to pin them back, as the kicking game was poor, whilst as we took the ball up and tried to run it out we turned it over and Nedlands countered and scored. The final score being Nedlands 45 Wests 5. Good performance by Chris Miles who tackled his heart out whilst the forwards went ok but the backs didn't fire at all. Next week is Perth Bayswater at home and is a must win, so a big effort is needed as we can still make the four.