Palmerston Crocs clean-sweep Swampdogs in dramatic Round 8 action
Palmerston has completed a clean sweep while Pirates paid tribute to 'Frenchie' with commanding victories in a dramatic Round 8 of Darwin Rugby Union action. See who top performerd here.
Round 8 of the Darwin Rugby Union senior competition delivered a full slate of drama, dominance and tight finishes across all grades.
Palmerston set the tone early with a commanding 34–14 A-grade win over the Swampdogs, marking their third victory of the season.
Their women picked up a forfeit result, and the B-grade Crocs ran rampant in a 54–14 romp, completing a clean sweep for the club and giving their supporters plenty to cheer about.
At University Oval, the Pirates rallied together in a heartfelt tribute to “Frenchie,” lifting across all grades.
Both A and B-grade sides posted strong, confident wins over Darwin, while the women’s clash proved the match of the round — an arm-wrestle that fittingly ended 17–17.
South Darwin experienced the full spectrum of results.
Their A-grade side impressed with a 36–19 win over the Cougars, only for the B-grade showdown to finish locked at 14-all. In the women’s fixture, however, the Cougars exploded with one of their best performances of the season, overpowering the Rabbitohs 55–7 to claim just their second win of the year.
TOP PLAYERS/POINT SCORERS OF ROUND 8
Charlotte Elcoate (Universiry, Women): The Pirate was immense for her side, scoring a much needed brace in the draw against reigning champs Darwin.
Larana Thomas (Casuarina, Women): Thee fullback was at the centre of all the action in her side’s monster win over the Rabbitohs, scoring a hat-trick for her efforts.
Laura Luchetti (Casuarina, Women): The Cougars captain balled out in the back line. She also scored a try and slotted four from the spot.
Aidan Buckley (University, B-grade): Buckley may have been wearing the 27, but he certainly wasn’t a bit player. The Pirate scored a double and kicked a double in another huge win for the Pirates.
Nasoni Rokobiau (South Darwin, B-grade): The Rabbitohs’ hooker scored both of his team’s five pointers in the 14-14 draw with Casuarina.
Robert Butcher/Stylianos Vrontos (University, A-grade): The captain and fullback were once more the play makers for the top of the table Pirates. Together they combined for 22 of their side’s 27 total points.
Daniele Yaya (South Darwin, A-grade): The scrum half found himself on the scoresheet with two meat pies.
Dallas Caulton (South Darwin, A-grade): The reigning premiers fullback scored a five pointer and kicked 3/6 from in front.
Jayden Salma (Palmerston, A-grade): Off the bench, Salma joined in on the try scoring action, snagging himself a double.
Ben Drayton (Palmerston, A-grade): The fly half also scored himself a brace in the 20 point victory over Swampdogs.
ROUND 7
Round 7 of the 2025 Darwin Rugby Union season delivered upsets, statement wins, and a few tough lessons across the grades.
At Freds Pass, the Casuarina Cougars finally found their roar — stunning the Swampdogs 34-21 to notch their first victory of the season.
It was a gritty, spirited performance that lit up the rural clash and gave the Cougars a long-awaited reward for weeks of hard work.
Unfortunately, the B-grade Cougars couldn’t front up, registering their fourth straight forfeit.
The Swampdogs, however, hit back in the A-grade fixture, powering to a 29-12 win — their second win of 2025 — showing there’s still plenty of fight in the Swamp.
Over at Rugby Park, it was all University Pirates once again, sweeping the round across all grades.
The Pirates women dismantled South Darwin 43-5 in a dominant display that vaulted them into second spot on the ladder, edging ahead of Palmerston.
The A-grade men were in cruise control, running in tries from everywhere to claim a 57-0 shutout, while the B-grade Pirates held off a determined South Darwin outfit 24-10.
Both men’s teams remain undefeated after seven rounds, their sails still full and steady atop the competition.
Meanwhile, the Darwin Dragons kept their fire burning hot.
The Dragons women produced a defensive masterclass to blank Palmerston Crocs 22-0, a statement win that shakes up the top of the table.
In B-grade, Palmerston dug deep to claim a gutsy 20-12 victory over the Dragons — a whole-team effort that keeps them sitting second, two points clear of Darwin.
But in the A-grade showdown, the Crocs’ luck ran out.
The Dragons were simply too strong, rolling to a 38-6 victory and holding Palmerston try-less while crossing six times themselves.
TOP PLAYERS/POINT SCORERS OF ROUND 7
Asiveli Rauga (University, A-grade): The ‘Ice Man’ was on another level Saturday night. The Fijian flyer was unstoppable out on the left edge. He scored two fast break tries and a chip and chase in the first plus a solo effort for a first half quad. He then scored his fifth of the night halfway through the second before being shuffled around in the back due to the departure of fullback Stylianos Vrontos.
Velma Tsang (Casuarina): The Cougar snagged herself a brace in the 13 point victory over the Swampdogs out of the backline.
Mere Rasaku (University, Women): For the third consecutive game in a row, Rasaku crossed the paint for three five pointers, taking her season tally to 12 from six games.
Erica Stevenson (University, Women): The front rower had her best day at the office this season with a barnstorming hat-trick over the Rabbitohs.
Brodie Morcom (Swampdogs, A-grade): The fly half crossed the try line twice, producing a crucial double in a tough, physical clash to help secure the victory over Casuarina.
Luan Oberholzer (Darwin, U17 Boys): The captain ran rampant in the centres. A major contributor, he slotted 3/3 from the spot and scored one try.
Iani Grundmann(Palmerston, U17 Girls): The Croc had a whale of a time against the Swampdogs, scoring a double and kicking a conversion in the 29-0 victory.
Mark Gillam (Swampdogs, A-grade): The captain made the switch from the front row to flanker, combining strength in the breakdown with smart ball-carrying and solid defence to deliver a standout all-round performance.
Mariama Little (Swampdogs, Women): The teenager did everything in her power to try and get her team the win for her club’s Ladies Day, with a best on performance. Little not only scored a hat-trick, but also added the extras – scoring all of her team’s 21 points.
Declan Rogerson (Darwin, U17 Boys): The second rower found himself as a key pillar of the Dragons attack, scoring a brace in the 21-21 draw.
Zoe Kurnoth (Darwin, Women): Another number 8 who had a solid day out, the Dragon was in the thick of the action all game, and scored a double for her efforts.
Zavier Mitchell (Swampdogs, U17 Boys): The Swampies fly half certainly had his kicking shoes on, making 1/2from in front as well as slotting three penalty goals.
Round 6
Labelled the NTRU Heritage Round in honour of the 50-year celebrations, Round 6 of the Darwin Rugby Union competition is in the books.
It was a strong outing for the Darwin Dragons, who swept the South Darwin Rabbitohs across all grades.
In B-grade and Women’s clashes, the Dragons won 31–19 and 39–0 respectively.
But it was the A-grade clash that delivered the most drama.
Darwin scraped home by the skin of their teeth in a 20–19 thriller.
The decisive moment came from a brilliant scrum five metres out from Souths’ try line, where the Dragons pounced on a loose feed from the Rabbitohs’ halfback.
The ball spilt out the back and into the waiting hands of Owen Potter, who scooped it up and crashed over the line.
Elsewhere, University also completed a clean sweep in their matchup against the Swampdogs.
All three wins came by convincing margins — the Women triumphed 63–5, B-grade prevailed 24–5 to claim the Wally Cup, and A-grade dominated 62–0.
Palmerston likewise managed a whitewash against Casuarina.
Their A-grade side pulled off an impressive 33–19 victory to notch their second win of the season, lifting them to fourth on the ladder and above Casuarina.
The Women continued their hot run of form with a fourth consecutive win, 33–7, while the B-grade team recorded a 28–0 result after the Cougars forfeited for the third straight week.
TOP PLAYERS/POINT SCORERS OF ROUND 6
Stylianos Vrontos (University, A-grade): The multi-code talent was back to his point scoring ways against the Swampdogs, snagging himself a hat-trick and five successful conversions.
Matthew Barker (Palmerston, A-grade): The larrikin led the charge in a terrific victory over the Cougars. The front-rower scored two meat pies, one in each half.
Hayden Austine (Palmerston, A-grade): The boot of the new scrum-half came up clutch for the Crocs, kicking a near perfect 4/5 from the tee.
Dallas Caulton (South Darwin, A-grade): The fullback continued to be the Rabbitohs’ most dangerous player for yet another week, scoring two of his side’s three five pointers, as well as kicking two from the spot.
Owen Potter (Darwin, A-grade): The blindside channelled his inner wizardry against the defending champions, crossing the paint three times. His third was the best of the lot, as he picked up the loose ball off the back of an inspired counter scrum on the Souths’ 5m.
Reece Calkin (Darwin, B-grade): The Dragons fly half was in the thick of the action on Saturday. Calkin scored two tries and kicked two conversions.
Mere Rasaku (University, Women): Becoming a regular this season on the try scorers tally, the number 8 crossed for a second consecutive hat-trick.
Paige McCourt (University, Women): The second Pirate to record a triple against the Swampdogs – the scrumhalf had her best outing of the season.
Lucy Aigea (Palmerston, Women): The speedy and elusive back scored a brace in the 33-7 win over Casuarina.
Round 5
TOP PLAYERS/POINT SCORERS OF ROUND 5
Mere Rasaku (University, Women): The Pirate continued her hot run of try-scoring with a hat-trick against the inform Crocs.
Lasaro Qorovakarua (South Darwin, B-grade): The ringleader in the Rabbitohs’ 63-0 mauling of the Swampdogs, the backrower scored five meat pies.
Asiveli Rauga (University, A-grade): The ‘Ice Man’ scored a hat-trick for the Pirates in a 57-10 victory over Palmerston.
Samuela Rasaku (Darwin, U17): The teenager was electric out the back, scoring two tries and kicking two conversions.
Dallas Caulton (South Darwin, A-grade): With his kicking boots well and truly on, Caulton slotted eight from the spot, and scored a try for good measure.
Fredrick Ralulu (South Darwin, A-grade): The Rabbitohs’ number 8 snagged three tries against the Swampies.
Brodie Morcom (Swampdogs, A-grade): In the thick of it all night, the fullback popped up in most plays. He capped off his efforts with two tries and a conversion.
Round 4
The Palmerston Crocs finally broke through for their first A-grade win of the season, edging out reigning premiers South Darwin 38–34 in a thriller.
The Darwin Dragons flexed their muscle with a dominant 59–21 victory over the Swampdogs, while the University Pirates were clinical in a 44–7 rout of Casuarina.
In B-grade, University shut-out the Cougars 28–0 to cap off a rough weekend for Casuarina, as the Swampdogs also took care of Darwin 36–10, as Palmerston downed reigning champs South Darwin 17–0.
The Crocs women completed the club’s clean sweep with a massive 40–0 win over Souths, while the Pirates celebrated Ladies Day in style, overpowering Casuarina 27–14, while Darwin secured a forfeit victory over the Swampdogs.
TOP PLAYERS/POINT SCORERS OF ROUND 4
Luan Oberholzer (Darwin, U17 Boys): The captain and fly half was on song from the spot, converting 5/7 as well as crossing for a five pointer himself.
Dayne Tarau & Sireli Mualevu (Darwin, U17 Boys): The duo both scored a brace in the Dragons’ 45-21 victory over the Swampdogs.
Hiria Brooking-Petelo (Palmerston, Women): The Crocs fill-in fullback was on hers toes all game, snagging herself a brace in the big victory.
Victoria Alley (Palmerston, Women): Ever-reliable, Alley was at it again in another convincing victory for the Crocs. She kicked five from in front and scored a try.
Natalia Grant (University, Women): Putting together an inspired performance on her club’s Ladies Day, the captain scored two tries and kicked one from the spot in the critical victory.
Mere Rasaku (University, Women): The other Pirate to show up on Ladies Day, the back-rower also grabbed a double.
Stacie Campbell (Swampdogs, B-grade): Campbell was a driving force in the Swampies 26 point victory over the Dragons, scoring a brace from the second-row.
Eligh Pomroy (Swampdogs, B-grade): The fullback was electric at the back. He recorded a try and two conversions for his efforts.
Asiveli Rauga (University, A-grade): The ‘Ice Man’ had a field day against the Cougars, scoring a hat-trick in the dominating victory.
Owen Potter (Darwin, A-grade): Darwin’s number 8 was ripping through his work against the Swampdogs, and scored two tries.
Round 3
Round 3 of the DRU competition delivered more nailbiting results and standout individual performances across the board.
Palmerston secured a double, with its women demolishing the Swampdogs 83-0 and the B-grade side edging the Swampies 29-22. However, their A-grade outfit went down 30-14, handing the Swampdogs their first win of the season.
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The Dragons women dispatched the Pirates in convincing fashion, 34-5, to remain unbeaten and retain top spot on the ladder with a perfect three-from-three record.
University claimed wins in both grades, taking the B-grade 12-7 and the A-grade 29-27.
Elsewhere, Souths women got the job done against the Cougars 25-10, while Casuarina edged Souths 17-15 in a thrilling B-grade grand final rematch while Souths’ A-grade side bounced back with a 24-8 victory.
TOP PLAYERS/POINT SCORERS OF ROUND 3
Lucy Aigea (Palmerston, Women): The Croc crossed the paint for a triple in the comprehensive victory over the Swampies.
Dailene Doyle (Palmerston, Women): Not to be outdone, the captain also joined in on the point scoring action bagging a hat-trick.
Victoria Alley (Palmerston, Women): The backrower had a field day in front of the uprights, converting 9/13 from the tee as well as scoring a meat pie herself – totalling 27.7 per cent of her side’s total points.
Jacinda Summers (Darwin, Women): The defending champions fly half had her best game of the season marshalling her side around the park. Summers scored a try for her efforts and also made two conversions.
Ayla Murfitt (Darwin, Women): The veteran led from the front all game long with big carries and defensive efforts.
Abraham Van Niekerk (Casuarina, B-grade): It was the boot of the half that ended up being the determining factor in the Cougars grand final redemption victory, a perfect 2/2 from the spot as well as a penalty goal.
Liam Houlihan (South Darwin, B-grade): In a losing effort the Rabbitoh still managed to snag a brace.
Robbie Butcher (University, A-grade): The wily veteran was at his vintage best on Saturday. Back at fly-half, the co-captain had his fingerprints on almost everything. He scored a brace, kicked ¾ and slotted a penalty goal.
Jake Fox (Casuarina, A-grade): While he didn’t get his name on the scoresheet, Fox’s work out of the back was courageous.
Setefano Lemuel Cakaunivalu (South Darwin, A-grade): South’s young back was on fire at the weekend. The son of a gun crossed for a five pointer and kicked two from the spot in the rebound victory.
ROUND 2
Round 2 of the DRU championship competition is in the books and there were plenty of individuals who stood tall for their clubs.
University Pirates ruled the seas in the seniors competition, sweeping South Darwin across all three grades.
The Pirates exacted revenge in the grand final rematch, downing Souths by a 25 point margin while the women put their opponents to the sword in a 52-12 result.
The Dragons rebounded in style with a dominant 43-0 victory over Palmerston in A-grade while the B-grade and Women also pulled off victories, 24-0 and 25-7 respectively.
As for the Swampdogs, it was a weekend of mixed fortune and close encounters.
The women secured their first win of the campaign with a gritty win over the Cougars while the B-grade and A-grade outfits both suffered defeats.
TOP PLAYERS/POINT SCORERS OF ROUND 2
Luan Oberholzer (Darwin, U17 Boys): The centre was an absolute menace at the weekend, tearing the Crocs’ defensive line to shreds. Oberholzer crossed the paint four times and kicked 5/7 from the spot.
Ruby Preston (Swampdogs, U17 Girls): Preston was one of a handful who cashed in against Palmerston. The Swampdog scored a hat-trick in her side’s 62–5 rout.
Laura Luchetti (Casuarina, Women): The fly half had a typical showing, in the thick of the action all game long. Luchetti scored a brace and converted one from the spot.
Ellie Hannaford & Mariama Little (Swampdogs, Women): Hannaford and Little, building on solid defence, steered the Swampdogs to their first win of the season. The duo scored 21 of the team’s 26 points — Hannaford with a try and two conversions, Little with two tries and a conversion — in a four-point victory over the Cougars.
Paige McCourt (University, Women): The crafty scrum-half scored a try in both halves and had her fingerprint all over the Pirates’ attacking success.
Tyla Kingdon (University, Women): Like McCourt, Kingdon was in the thick of the action at the back, snagging a brace in the convincing victory.
Mawgan Keats (Darwin, Women): Playing in the back row, Keats put her body on the line all game long and was inspirational in the win.
Kaveni Gonewai (South Darwin, B-grade): Possessing the hottest of hands at the weekend, the centre was a one-man scoring machine. Gonewai crossed the paint four times to help his team down the reigning premiers by 10 points.
Kaylem Greenwood (Palmerston, B-grade): The back made a big impression in his first hitout for the Crocs. In a losing outfit Greenwood never gave up on a play and looks to be a player to watch this season.
Trey Crowley (Casuarina, A-grade): It was the boot of Crowley that delivered victory in a gnarly clash against the Swampdogs, kicking 3/3 from the spot and making two penalty goals to seal the 27–25 win.
Christopher Nurse (Casuarina, A-grade): Leading from the front, the captain was excellent in the back row and gave each involvement full effort.
Pete McDermott (Darwin, A-grade): As well as being the architect in the halves, McDermott scored a ludicrous try late in the game, chipping and chasing out of the ruck from halfway, down the right flank, catching out the Palmerston back line, before regathering and diving over the line with two minutes on the clock.
ROUND 1
Depending on who you ask, the 2025 Darwin Rugby Union season either kicked off in perfect fashion, or with a nightmare start.
South Darwin’s opening weekend was a mixed bag.
South’s were forced to forfeit its Women’s fixture against Darwin due to low player numbers, handing the Dragons a 28-0 walkover.
The reigning A-grade men’s champions steadied the ship, edging past the Dragons in a tight 17-12 contest.
For the Swampdogs, it was a triumphant return in one sense, as the club fielded three senior teams for the first time in more than five years.
However, the celebrations ended there with University Pirates ruthlessly sweeping the slate.
The men dished out a 53-5 defeat in A-grade, a 48-0 shutout in B-grade, and the 66-7 thrashing in the Women’s competition.
Elsewhere, Casuarina and Palmerston split the honours.
The Crocs secured wins in the Women’s and B-grade clashes, while the Cougars dominated the A-grade showdown, winning in a 36-10 scoreline.
TOP PLAYERS/POINT SCORERS OF ROUND 1
Victoria Alley (Palmerston, Women): The Crocs vice-captain barely missed a beat at the weekend. Alley slotted home 7/7 from the spot, and was elite in the centres.
Dailene Doyle (Palmerston, Women): Palmerston’s captain and Alley’s partner-in-crime in the centres, Doyle snagged two tries of her own in the 49-0 rout of the Cougars.
Paige McCourt (University, Women): The Pirates crafty scrum-half was at the centre of the action in her side’s massive win at the weekend. McCourt crossed for one five pointer and set up a handful.
Natalia Grant (University, Women): Like McCourt, the fly-half was also in the thick of the action at the weekend, and slotted 8/10 from the tee.
Rhys Venturin (University, B-grade): Another University fly half who had a solid day at the office. While he didn’t cross the paint, he contributed by kicking four goals from the spot.
Manu Carter (Palmerston, B-grade): The open side regularly popped up at the right time for the Crocs, scoring two tries in the win.
Jayden Salma (Palmerston, B-grade): A more conventional scorer for the Crocs, the winger crossed for a try of his own in the second and converted three from the spot.
Kanae Gimini (South Darwin, A-grade): The 2024-25 premiership winger was the difference maker in the five point victory over Darwin, crossing for a brace.
Ben Dorahy (University, A-grade): University’s fullback was one of eight different try scorers in his side’s victory over the Swampdogs, Dorahy crossing for back-to-back five pointers.
Aidan Buckley (University, A-grade): The Pirates new fly-half stood up to the challenge in his debut, also kicking four from the spot as a confidence booster.
James Cardwell (Casuarina, A-grade): The only player to bag a hat-trick in the opening round, the lock scored a try in the first and two in the second half.
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