Buffaloes back on the paddock at a sunny Warrel’s
The Buffaloes returned home for their first game since 2019 and had two teams on show. The newly formed A team was led on the field by Bramley favourite Craig Boot with many of Craig’s successful junior side wearing the amber and black for the first time. This was followed by the Bramley YML division 1 side with many familiar faces from the past.
Buffaloes A v Birstall Victoria
Andy and Devon Johnson
The first match up featured a very young Buffaloes team who were up against a far more experienced side in Birstall Victoria side with a fair number of players from Morley RU. Unlike most pre-match banter everyone was talking not about the teams but about meeting the strict Government protocols required to get the matches underway.
The game started with Bramley’s kick off and both sides, somewhat ring rusty from their enforced break, traded several lost balls. With 5mins gone the Buffaloes spilled the ball close to their try line which was eagerly snatched up by the visitors who went over for their first converted try : Buffaloes 0:6 Birstall
The young Buffaloes side looked a little nervous but ably led by Craig with some spirited tackling and strong runs by prop Courage they levelled the score with Mr Boot himself rolling back the years as he strode over near the posts for a converted try on 15 mins Buffaloes level 6:6.
This spurred on the Birstall side who carved out 2 unconverted tries of their own whilst the Buffaloes were reduced to 12 men as Connor McGill (playing for the A team) showed a little too much aggression and was sent to the sin bin. Although the Buffaloes went in 6:14 down at half time this was a good first half performance.
In the second half the Birstall side looked to use their kicking experience and gained territory straight from the kick off when the ball went dead. This lead to Birstall scoring a converted try in the 41st min. Buffaloes 6:20. The following 39 minutes saw the youthful Buffaloes side gain in confidence with some excellent forceful tackling and the Birstall side were restricted to just 2 more tries.
Final score Buffaloes 6 : Birstall 30.
Although a young Buffaloes side tasted defeat in their first game they showed great promise and ability and the coaches agreed it was a great effort with much more to come during the 2021 season. Let’s hope Craig doesn’t hurt too much tomorrow morning!
1) Liam Lether, 2) Cameron McGill, 3) Billy Butterworth, 4) Daniel Mitchell, 5) Henry Sedgwick, 6) Kacper Mroz, 7) Samuel Worley, 8) Benjamin Adams, 9) Thomas Jenkins, 10) Courage Mkuhlani, 11) Jacob Oldroyd, 12) Joe Sykes, 13) Craig Boot, Subs (All Used); 14) Thomas Barraclough, 15) Connor Booth, 16) Callum Greaves, 17) Jo Oldroyd, 18) Connor McGill, 19) Kieran McFarlane, 20) Ryan Jones
Try: Boot
Goal: McGill, Connor