Getting the Cobar Camels over a hump

The Cobar camels at a home game in 2023 - Peter Payne is back row, fourth from right in dark blue jacket. Photo contributed

Rugby Union

Reinvigorating the Cobar and District Rugby Union Football Club has become a passion for a group of locals, led by past player, Peter Payne.

The Cobar Camels Rugby Club was formed in 1958 but after many successful years, they have struggled to field a side in 2023, pulling out of the competition halfway through the season.

Now there’s a push by several ex-Ra-Ra’s to revive the fortunes of the Cobar Rugby Union Club

Ex-player, former publican of the Occidental Hotel and lawyer, Peter Payne said the 2023 season was disappointing after a great start.

“This year we had pulled out by the second round as we only had 13 committed players,” he said. “We started at a million miles an hour, and nearly beat Walgett first up and they were last year’s premiers. Plus, we had players on the bench.”

As Mr Payne said, “things got soggy in the middle” and the club pulled their side from the competition.

“It was the commitment to away games,” Mr Payne said. “We had around 13 who would travel and were a loyal group, but they got sick of being the only 13 blokes.

Read more in the printed edition of The Western Herald.

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