Sport
27 June, 2025
Bulls lose tough encounter at Walgett
The Bogan Bulls were handed a reality check losing 24-14 on Saturday, June 21, against last year’s Western Plains premiers, the Walgett Rams.
Bulls coach Rob Kennedy saw the grand final re-match as a true test of where the previously undefeated Bulls are at.
Unfortunately, the Bulls were without six of their key players. These included throw-in specialist Jock Lawry, prop Tom Cleaver, gun PNG recruit Kanake Late, and tough campaigner Dapto Taylor.
Despite this, Nyngan started strongly with plenty of physicality and crossed for the first try early in the game to new South African recruit, Butch James, who was running strongly and proving a handful.
Walgett’s big forwards quickly upped the ante in defence, putting two men in every tackle which disrupted Nyngan’s attack and allowed the home side to get a roll on and score three quick tries, giving them a 17-7 half time lead.
Kennedy said Walgett’s class was obvious and Nyngan retreated into a shell, 15 minutes before half time.
“This is exactly what happened in last year’s grand final. Brendo Nelson and Westo Western tried their hearts out and the backs were rock solid but the tries coming straight through the middle with Walgett’s number 10 looking like he had the Coronavirus the way we dodged him!”
“We regrouped at half time and came out a different side, building pressure.
“The signs were good and we crossed out wide for a try by Wes Vali and we were back in the game, our backs’ defence was excellent.
“But again, with fatigue setting in, Walgett took advantage and crossed for a try through the middle to take the score to 24-14,” Kennedy added.
“We attacked several times in the second half only to lose our momentum with an error or penalty something we couldn’t overcome.”
Kennedy said despite the loss, there were plenty of positives to come out of the encounter including the return of “Gussy have-a-crack Currans” and “Grimace-Craigo Ticehurst’s jackaroo” playing well.
“Lachie Donnelly had his best game and was hard to stop, But Brendo Nelson was our best yet again.”
“What we did learn was if you only have eight players at training on Tuesday in the week before the biggest game of the year you are letting yourself and the club down, especially the eight that did turn up.”
“Keeping in mind Westo Western drives a 230-kilometre round trip twice a week for training and rarely misses. We aren’t fit enough and we aren’t good enough so we are destined for second or third if we don’t start turning up to training.”
“I could write a novel with the excuses but excuses don’t win grand finals!”
The three points were awarded to Henry Weston, two points to Will Boag, and a point each to Butch James and Jimmy Elias. Jimmy Elias was player’s player.
Tri Tag also go down in close one
The Bogan Bulls Tri Tag team were unlucky to lose 12-5 against Walgett, in a see-sawing encounter which kept the crowd entertained.
The Bulls only try was scored by Jemma Perko in the first half.
Some ball handling errors cost Nyngan in their attempts to get to their try line, and there was some confusion as to whether one of Walgett’s tries came from the same allegedly illegal dive manoeuvre for which Nyngan had been heavily penalised for the week prior.
The Nyngan side was down some key players including captain Molly Smith, but there were still plenty of positives to come from the game.
Meegan Beer was on point with her kicking game and fullback Lucy McLaughlin was strong under the high ball, and made many strong runs. Coach Kieran Smith said complimented his players on their attitude at both training and in the games.
“The girls are really enjoying themselves. They all want to be here. They turn up at training and they really have a crack,” he said.
Three points were awarded to Lucy McLaughlin, two to Rosie Ryan, one to Amy Motley, and Jemma Perko was player’s player.
On June 28 the Bogan Bulls have a home game against the tough sides from Coonamble.
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