The Cobar Rugby Union Camels hosted the first competition game for 2026 against 2025 Western Plains Zone competition runners-up Nyngan Bulls on Friday night under lights at the Ailsa Fitzsimmons Memorial Oval.
After failing to field a Camels side in 2025, Cobar had 21 players ready for action at kick off on Friday.
After limited preparation and, in the absence of coach Taufao Taufao for the opening game, the Camels were always going to find the going tough against an experienced and finals hardened group.
The Bulls’ addition of four Papuan imports, anxious to impress, made the Camels’ task that much more difficult.
The Camels held their own early in the game and were excellent in defence.
But from time to time they failed to maintain the defensive line right across the field and that is where the Bulls attacked.
The super slick and very fit Nyngan backline had plenty of pace.
The Nyngan forwards also did plenty of ground work to carefully set up the platform for their backs to take advantage of any space they were given out wide.
And any error on Cobar’s part was summarily punished by the sheer pace of the Nyngan outside backs.
Cobar had no answer to that speed or the superior technique of the Bogan Bulls who ran out winners 55-0.
But the scoreline does not reflect the efforts the Camels put in.
Cobar had the most success with their pick and drive efforts up through the centre however there were always keen Nyngan defenders looking to steal the ball at every opportunity.
There were many highlights for the Camels: tight head prop Jordan Sipendi, Open-side flanker Mitch Dunne and hooker Marsh Rewha tackled themselves to a stand still while number eight, Benny Griffiths, along with Lachy Mitchell reveled in the hurt.
The Cobar backs too were solid in defence with Kody Ford and Lochy Ford prominent while some of Kai Taylor’s cover defence on the Nyngan Papuan lightening bolts was exhilarating to watch!
Five-eight Kody Martin tried to rally the Camels but Nyngan were just too good all round.
The visitors kept calling all the shots and never let Cobar into the game.
They starved the Camels of possession all game (and if you haven’t got the ball, you can’t score any points). The Camels were forced to play reactive rugby and were given no opportunity to execute any set plays.
The Camels’ Best and Fairest points would have gone to many on Friday but Tahlis Schofield, in his first competition rugby union game, claimed three, hooker Marsh Rewha certainly earned his two whilst the “rocket missile” Kai Taylor took one for a sustained all round performance.
This Saturday the Camels travel to Warren to take on the Pumas in Round 2.—contributed
