Nedlands can take great pride in its 75th anniversary season after taking out the rare Club Championship and Healthway Champion Club double for the first time since 2002. Neddies has won the Club Championship for four years in a row and the Champion Club award, which includes the results from the Juniors, demonstrates the club’s depth from the Under-6s through to the 1st Grade team. Of course, Nedlands also finished the 2009 season with the Steve Fink Award for Perth’s best Junior club, while star Neddies 1st Grade centre Zane Houia was voted the most improved player in the PG Hampshire awards.

Unfortunately Neddies was unable to add to that haul of silverware in the Grand Finals played at Cottesloe on Saturday and ME Stadium on Sunday.

The Shamwaris had perhaps the toughest task in the competition coming up against Mitch Hardy’s University all-stars in 4th Grade Gold. But the boys put in a highly creditable performance before finally going down 18-5. The Shamwaris have been a revelation this season and deserve a big rap for the way they have represented the club. And they easily win the award for the best supporters.

The Nomads had an unbeaten record going into the 4th Grade Black Grand Final but their match against Wests was always going to be a close one. And that proved to be the case as Wests played a more controlled game in the swirly conditions to emerge with a 15-10 victory. For Neddies, Piccolo Black and Peter Blackburn scored tries, while Dan Cockburn was a stand-out in the forwards.

That match was followed by the 3rd Grade Gold showdown between the Rattlesnakes and the Mandurah Pirates. With the scores locked at 3-3 - after The Brat had kicked a penalty for the Royal Blues – the game looked to be headed for extra time. However, in a cruel conclusion, a linesman’s report delivered the Pirates the 3 points needed to clinch the match 6-3. For Neddies, none worked harder than forward Marty Scoon.

Things didn’t get any better on Sunday when the 2nd Grade took on Associates at ME Stadium. Neddies held a handy 15-5 lead at the break but a penalty try awarded to Soaks triggered a flood of points which saw Associates ultimately take the match 24-20. Joe “Peanut” Ritchie was almost a hero for Neddies when he bullocked over the line late in the game, but unfortunately the try was disallowed.

However, it’s not all over for the year with the annual end of season dinner and presentation evening to be held at Jo Jo’s restaurant on Friday night. Some tickets are still available from team managers or by contacting Freda Black on 0433 568 444.