support in their Western Plains match at Nyngan on Saturday. ▪ Photo contributed
Cobar’s Rugby Union Camels travelled to Nyngan (with five reserves) on Saturday keen to provide an improved showing against the high-flying undefeated Nyngan Bogan Bulls.
In the first round of the 2026 Western Plains Zone Competition back in April, Nyngan piled on a score of more than 100+ unanswered points against the Camels.
The Bulls started out at a frenetic pace utilising their pace out wide, clearly anticipating an early capitulation from the young team they had blown away at the Ailsa Fitzsimmons Memorial Oval some months earlier.
The Camels’ defence however held firm.
Tight-head prop for Cobar, Uaita Fili Lotomau (“Bruno”), then took on the Bulls’ defensive line with a couple of impressive charges inspiring fellow prop Jordan Sipendi, blind-side breakaway Jayden Paul and number eight Benny Griffiths.
Then the unthinkable! Capitalising on Cobar’s improved ball retention, halfback Kody Martin fired the ball out to Fidelis Ah Sam at five-eight who attracted more than his fair share of Nyngan defenders.
That popularity allowed new centre, Riley Porter, to slide through a hole and to send his centre mate, Chris Crotty, galloping towards the tryline; and score he did.
Kody Martin failed to convert but Cobar led the Bogans 5-0 after five minutes.
Apart from the lineout, the Cobar forwards were functioning; the scrum was tight, the tackling was ferocious, the cleanout controlled and effective and possession was maintained.
The two “little giants” of the Camels pack, hooker Marsh Rewha and flanker Mitch Dunne, tackled themselves to a standstill (finally after 80 minutes) and who knows what their tackle counts were.
The two tall men in the second row, Lachie Mitchell and Ben Tovale, picked off the scraps and looked to take the ball up to the beleaguered and bewildered Bulls.
One frustrated Bogan was heard to yell at teammates, “We’re better than this shit”!
Highly amused Cobar supporters did not really care towards whom the comment was directed, they were just enjoying the moments.
Not sure that Nyngan were; they racked up four yellow cards before the final siren.
But with lineout dominance, the sheer pace of the backline and a call defying all logic by the referee to red card Cobar strike weapon, Ah Sam, Nyngan by halftime had restored their ascendancy over the Cobar challenge to lead 21-5.
The Camels were down, but they certainly were not out.
Reduced set piece ball hurt the Camels who were forced to defend for most of the second half.
The Camels’ replacement tight forwards, Matt Bolam and Napoleon Sipendi, were masterful, Crotty’s cover defence was outstanding as was a spectacular try-saver in the dying minutes of the game by Griffiths who turned a victory salute by a Nyngan tearaway into a dislocated shoulder just inches short of the tryline.
Mikey Uiva at fullback is an exceptional talent and what a valuable footballer is Graham Manuai with his utility ability to play anywhere, anytime and well.
Winger/centre Fraser Toropo had a sound game both in attack and defence as did Porter and Martin.
Even though the final score was 42-5 in Nyngan’s favour, the overall improvement of the Cobar team was acknowledged and the talking point of the Nyngan Coach, players and supporters.
But the clear ‘Man of the Match’ and overwhelming choice as Players’ Player was diminutive open-side breakaway Mitch Dunne.
In a sustained 80-minute effort, he clearly relished in chopping down Nyngan’s tall timber and hitting the ball up against players twice his size with unwavering desperation.
All of Cobar’s Camels deserved best player points for their sharpened efficiency and enhanced commitment; on the field this time and not just in the boat race (which the Camels won) or on the bus trip home.
However, front-rower Jordan Sipendi certainly earned his three points, fullback Mikey Uiva and Chris Crotty stoic in the centres shared the two points while relentless competitors hooker Marsh Rewha and lock Ben Tovale shared one.
The Camels have a bye this weekend and will host Warren at home next Saturday for Round 9 of the competition—contributed
