With the Souths 4th grade making it 2 from 2 against Curtin, it was the 3rd grade who took the field looking not only to keep the momentum going from the previous week but also to right the wrong of the 1st fixture against this club. A close match that day, closer than in previous years, saw Souths just lose out to truly their bogey team.

Matches against Curtin had historically been high quality and intense affairs and although the quality was still there, this meeting had a strangely down beat feel. Players on both sides competed well but the crowd didn’t seem to want to get involved and share in the contest. Inexplicable infringements galore at scrum time didn’t do anything to warm the crowd or allow either side to show off their talents. It would take a little bit of magic to open up this game, and so the spell book was opened by Caleb Lamatoa. Good running from the set-up Souths in the Curtin 22. Ball was passed to Lamatoa, who dummied, shimmed and danced through the defence to score under the posts. Curtin replied with a penalty as did Ray Nell with a good attempt of his own. before the half petered out. 10-3 to Souths

The 2nd half of the game began with key changes which added a bit of spark. Curtin added some exciting runners as did Souths. Remaining tight throughout the half, the standard had improved though with ferocious tackles and delicious attacks making a game of it. The infringements continued at scrum time, putting Souths on the back foot. Their defence though was excellent, with player of the day Yuri Eti, making his comeback game after an horrific injury against the same team earlier in the year, leading from the front and playing the classic hookers role – full of niggle, guile and heart. As the half wore on, possession remained with Curtin but toothless they remained as knock-ons and misplaced passes were in abundance. It was left to that man Kori though who broke the deadlock, making it 4 scores in 4 games. A typically dominating run saw him ground for a further 5-pointer, converted by Nell. The final nail in the coffin for Curtin and a moment of jubilation for Souths as a club, continuing the grade double they had started over Arks the week before.

This week Mandurah make their first visit to the Success Sporting Complex.