The Bogan Bulls travelled to Bourke on Saturday to bring home a win against their traditional arch rivals the Rams. 

The win was a much-needed morale booster after the previous week’s loss to Walgett. 

Followers of the Western Plains competition will be aware that the Walgett Rams have been perennial bridesmaids - making it to numerous grand finals but always coming away with second place. In travelling to Nyngan two weeks ago the Walgett players were keen to stamp their names on 2015 and they did this with a solid 26-5 win over the Bogan Bulls. 

The Bulls have a strong team but are missing many of their more experienced players due to injury and retirement. 

Nonetheless the Bulls did well to hold off the rampaging Rams whilst still managing to post points against the visitors.

So the trip to Bourke was always going to be crucial for the Bulls in maintaining their momentum in this year’s competition. 

Bourke is extremely hostile territory for  the Nyngan team and the side was again short on numbers due to work commitments and injury. 

Missing their monster forward pack the Bulls struggled for field position early on, finding themselves on the back foot in their own territory and fighting for field position. 

The Bourke team posted early points for a 12-0 lead and thought the game was theirs for the taking.

The Bulls soaked up wave after wave of Bourke attack and muscled their way back into the game. 

Forwards Cam Nicholls, Brendon Landrigan and Tom Cleaver started to take apart their opposing forwards with Dom Kennedy causing considerable damage to the morale of anyone who tried to take him on. 

Mick Charlton and newcomer Ty Robson are adding some serious weight and experience to the forwards and were instrumental in turning the tide, creating holes for Will Thorncraft and Jimmy Elias to score doubles, with Jonathon Thurston sealing the match with a length-of-the-field try and a final score of 29-22.

The season doesn’t get any easier for the Bulls as they travel to Warren this Friday evening to take on the Warren Pumas under lights. 

While always a friendly game the Pumas narrowly missed out on the premiership last year when the Bogan Bulls scored a penalty goal on the final whistle. 

The Pumas still believe they deserve the title and will be looking to prove their dominance in their first hit-up against the Bulls this weekend. 

There will be teams in both grades which will make for an exceptional night of rugby. 

Take a short trip down the highway after work on Friday to support the Bogan Bulls in what may be their toughest match this season.