BUFFALOES SPIRITED IN DEFEAT
Dewsbury Celtic (24) 54 v Bramley Buffaloes (6) 6
The Buffaloes difficult season continued in the humid heat of Crows Nest Park, Dewsbury, with Coach Chris Gardner hit by dropouts on the day of the game. Only 13 players arrived for the kick off and these were soon reduced to 11, following injuries to two players meaning the Buffaloes were two men short for three quarters of the game.
The valiant Buffaloes never gave up the fight and took the game to Celtic at every opportunity. Captain Benoit Rogers and evergreen utility player Graham Nash put their hands up time and time again to take the challenge to the home side.
It started poorly for the Buffaloes when in the first minute, Celtic Scrum Half Nicki Crabtree slipped over for the opening try of the afternoon, swiftly converting his own try.
Two minutes later Dewsbury centre Danny Crabtree scooted over for the second try of the afternoon, again converted by Nicki Crabtree, making the score 12-0 to Celtic.
Over the course of the next 15 minutes both teams took the game to each other, cancelling each others attacking threat out with some stout defence. During this period the Buffaloes lost both props, Craig Magson and Dave Parker to game and probably season ending injuries.
In the 19th minute Alex Walmsley scored in the top corner of the pitch following some scrambling Buffaloes defence, but quick Dewsbury hands left the Buffaloes short and the prop went over. Third successful conversion of the afternoon by Nicki Crabtree followed, making the score 18-0.
Three minutes later the Buffaloes went over for their only score of the afternoon, with a quick dart from Dummy Half by captain Benoit Rogers, converted by Jason Dodd. Score now 18-6.
In the 25th minute the Buffaloes were bringing the ball out of their own 20 metre area when the ball went to ground. Nobody went for the loose ball, and Eddie Kilroy picked up and sprinted over unopposed for Dewsbury’s fourth try of the afternoon, again converted by Nicki Crabtree, making the score 24-6.
The remaining period of the first half saw no score, despite the best efforts of both teams, some hard defence and lost ball.
The first action of the second half saw Celtic stalwart Danny Thomas sin binned for an indiscretion. Two minutes later following a break from a scrum, Celtic Fullback Pat Foulstone, nipped over for the first points of the second half. The try was converted by Nicki Crabtree, making the score 30-6.
In the 56th minutes, Celtic were in again following a dubious-looking Danny Thomas pass to winger Adam Egan, who raced away, try converted by Pat Foulstone.
A minute later Liam Walmsley was over for another try converted again by Pat Foulstone., making the score 42-6
In the 65 minute Danny Thomas scored following a Dewsbury attack down the Buffaloes right hand side, giving them a four-man overlap and a walk in for the try, again converted Pat Foulstone.
In the 71st minute Danny Thomas was again sin binned for a further indiscretion. Following a Buffaloes dropped ball, Celtic fullback Pat Foulstone sprinted 70 metres for an unopposed try, following which the referee abandoned the game following some abuse from the crowd. Once the perpetrator left the edge of the field the referee called the game back on, and Pat Foulstone coverted his own try, giving the final score of 54-6.
Both team continued to push themselves to the limits in the remaining 8 minutes, with stern defence and dropped ball.
Game Star: The Buffaloes thirteen for their efforts on the day, never giving up in the face of defeat.
Game Breaker: The introduction of Danny Thomas just before half time, where he injected his class and skill into the Celtic side, for the time he was on the field.
Dewsbury Celtic: 1) Pat Foulstone, 2) Mike Foulstone, 3) Danny Crabtree, 4) Jack Millington, 5) Adam Egan, 6) Josh West, 7) Nicki Crabtree, 8) Alex Walmsley, 9) Tom Perks, 10) Elliot Smith, 11) Liam Walmsley, 12) Eddie Kilroy, 13) Joe Diskin; Subs (All used) – 14) Danny Thomas, 15) Joe Waters, 16) Ryan Ginnelly, 17) Shane Tasker-Howard.
Tries: Nicki Crabtree (1), Danny Crabtree (3), Alex Walmsley (19), Eddie Kilroy (24), Pat Foulstone (46,72), Adam Egan (56), Liam Walmsley (57), Danny Thomas (65).
Goals: Nicki Crabtree 5/5, Pat Foulstone 4/4.
Bramley Buffaloes: 1) Sam Neave, 2) Steve Anderson, 3) Trevor West, 4) Benoit Rogers, 5) Allan Bins, 6) Jason Dodd, 7) Tim Mennell, 8) Dave Parker, 9) Ross Peel, 10) Craig Magson, 11) Ben Cousins, 12) Graham Nash, 13) Karl Wilson
Tries: Benoit Rogers (22)
Goals: Jason Dodd 1/1
Man Of the Match
Dewsbury Celtic: Nicki Crabtree
Buffaloes: Benoit Rogers.