It was a stellar weekend for the Mandurah Pirates with both their A and B-grade sides claiming huge wins on the eve of the Pindan Championship finals.
The victories were monumental for the Pirates, with their B-grade team securing the minor premiership having lost just one match for the season and their A-graders nailing down their spot in second.
The B-grade’s win came on the back of a dominant performance against a finals-bound Arks outfit.
A slow start from Mandurah let the opposition score the first points, but the squad came together and fought back, pushing to gain the lead.
From there, Mandurah was able to put their foot down and motor ahead for a 40-24 victory.
The win locks down the Pirates’ perch on top of the ladder in what has been a dominant season, in which they averaged five tries for every try scored against them.
A-grade’s win came a little more hard-fought, with Arks drawing first blood on a penalty goal.
Mandurah fought back soon after and replied with a try, allowing them to hold the lead for the remainder of the game.
But that didn’t stop Arks fighting for every inch. In the end, it was an extraordinary performance by Martin Kendrick that buoyed Mandurah to a thrilling 24-22 win.
The victory sees the Pirates end the year in second, with both the A and B-grade teams set to play semi finals next week.
B-grade will take on Arks in a rematch of the round just gone, kicking off at Success Field at 12pm on Saturday, August 12.
The A-grade will take on Rockingham at Harrisdale, with the start scheduled for 1.30pm, Sunday, August 13.
In a coup for local rugby, the grand finals for each grade will be held at Meadow Springs Sporting Complex on Oakmont Avenue in a fortnight.
If both of Mandurah’s sides win their semi finals they will enjoy home field advantage in the grand final.