Last year’s wooden spooners, the Cobar Camels, narrowly went down to the 2022 Western Plains Rugby Union Premiers Walgett, 22-29, on Saturday in what spectators, including many past players present, described as the best and most entertaining game of rugby seen at the Ailsa Fitzsimmons Memorial Oval in a decade.
The Camels were led out by captain and co-coach Kody Martin. The Cobar XV included four experienced Fijians who have committed to help build a stronger and more competitive Camels squad for 2023.
The Walgett Rams’ initial body language indicated they only had to turn up to serve up their traditional flogging to the Camels but they appeared perplexed after Cobar raced to an early 12-0 lead.
The Fijian connection clicked early with centres Kameli Rockotuiloma (Kameli) and Vetaia Saqasere (Vetaia) combining to send winger Dave Johnson racing towards the corner.
With the cover defence looming, he passed back inside to five eight Will Peckham who touched down for an unconverted try.
Soon after, Kameli broke the Walgett defensive line again and popped the ball to fullback Marika Tuilau (Marika) who outpaced the Walgett cover to streak away to score.
Johnson nailed the conversion.
Walgett’s early swagger was gone.
Too many penalties conceded by Cobar allowed the Rams to take back control with their structured style and Walgett then scored a converted try under the posts.
That try stung the Camels into counterattack and winger Ben Griffiths was unlucky not to score off a perfect kick and chase effort.
That put Cobar on the attack and on the following set play, number eight Jayden Harvey reached over the line to touch down.
At half time the scoreline was 17-7 in favour of the Camels.
The fourth Fijian, Waisea Kaliseiwaqa Bale (Waisea) took his place in the forwards, but it was experienced tight head prop Mark Aumua who showed the way with his brutal and punishing tackling for Cobar to take control of the rucks and close out the well-drilled Walgett forwards for long periods.
Walgett was a much more disciplined side in the second half.
It was clear the Rams were to play the second half to their strengths—structured play, ball retention and to take advantage of any penalties.
Walgett scored first to trail 14-17 after sustaining constant pressure against the Camels who predictably gave away too many penalties
But the Camels continued to dish out the punishment to the Rams sitting them on their backsides and driving them backwards with some ferocious hits.
Aumua continued to lead and open side flanker Jacob Ryan also weighed in as did the entire pack, and at centre, Veni Taumololo, cut down every attack the Rams’ backline had to offer with some thunderous hits.
The Walgett forwards eventually found a way to the try line to lead 17-19 but the Marika “magic” was again unleashed, continuing a polished display of running rugby, as he touched down to regain the lead for the Camels 22-19.
Cobar continued the attack and a crosskick by halfback Kody Martin almost resulted in a try.
Late in the game, too many penalties against Cobar and a lack of match fitness saw Walgett score twice to seal the game win for the visitors.
The Camels Best & Fairest points were earned by: Mitch Dunne (3), Marika Tuilau (2), Jayden Harvey and Will Peckham (1 each).
The Bactrians Ladies team is going through a rebuilding phase and are currently looking for more players.
They put up a fight on Saturday against their Walgett opposition, the Premiers from 2022, but were beaten 18 tries to one.
Antionette Burns (3), Charlee Davis-Banks (2) and Brianna Watson (1) shared Best & Fairest points.—contributed
