New Look Buffaloes Too Good For Steelers
by Andy Coldrick
Hull Dockers Steelers 24 (18) v Bramley Buffaloes 34 (18)
Bramley Buffaloes, under the guidance of new coach Steve Langton, produced a highly encouraging all round team display to defeat Hull Dockers Steelers away 24-34 in the opening game of their YML Division 5 campaign on Saturday.
After a 12 month hiatus the Buffaloes returned to the YML, albeit in Division 5, with a new coach and a completely new team, so under the circumstances this was an even more impressive performance against a much fancied Hull Dockers team.
The only familiar names to Buffaloes supporters were long standing forward Dave Parker, Tom Langton who plaved a number of games in 2011 and 2012 and Ross Peel who had played a handful of games in 2011.
On a cool but bright afternoon the Steelers kicked off and the Buffaloes completed their first set with no alarms and a good deep kick. Steelers drew first blood on 2 minutes when after taking a quick penalty scrum half Suddaby exposed a huge game in the middle of a static Buffaloes defence and raced half the length of the field to score a far too east try. Despite this setback the Buffaloes continued to dominate field position, however good defence by the Steelers kept the Buffaloes out. On 12 minutes Steelers doubled their lead when they shipped the ball wide left and with players in support crossed for another easy try, 12-0. Influential Buffaloes stand-off Connor McGill got the Buffaloes fight-back underway on 18 minutes when his delicate kick close to the line was not deal with and full back Tom White pounced to score, McGill added a good conversion. Immediately from the re-start the Buffaloes struck again when another short kick was snaffled up close to the line by Aiden Baranyi, another confident conversion tied the scores after 21 minutes. The Buffaloes were now playing with more confidence as all the forwards ran strong and the backs were also making good metres against a retreating Steelers team that could not get theirs hands on the ball. After excellent work from Daniel Baranyi which drew a penalty 30m out, Dave Jennings got Buffaloes third try in 8 minutes when he proved just too big and strong for the Steelers right side defence, a well-deserved try. McGill added another god conversion. Bramley could not add any more points in the first half which closed with the Steelers again going down the Buffaloes right hand side and scoring a score levelling try on the half-time whistle, 18-18.
The second half saw a more settled, controlled game in that the Buffaloes dominated the game and field position for the first 30 minutes. In that time they ran in three tries, two of which were converted between 43 and 62 minutes. All three tries well worked and finished by Tom White, Daniel Baranyi and Cameron McLachlan respectively. Bramley worked hard throughout the half as confidence and communication between the team grew. For large parts of the game the Buffaloes out-enthused the Steelers in all aspects of the game, strong aggressive tackling, good line speed and determined running.
The last 10 minutes of the game saw the Steelers eventually get some meaningful possession and field position, a late try on 74 minutes was merely a consolation as good Buffaloes defence ensured no further late dramas.
So this was a hugely encouraging display for all concerned with this great club. Special mention to Steve Langton for getting a team on the pitch, well organised and with no little skill. All the players deserve a special mention, but on this occasion I feel to pick out individual players would be unfair as they all contributed to an excellent ’team’ display. Well done guys!
Next week the team are away at Moldgreen, Huddersfield, 2.30pm kick-off.
Bramley Buffaloes – 1) Tom White, 2) Joe Mathers, 3) Sam Wilson, 4) Aiden Baranyi, 5) Charlie McMurray, 6) Connor McGill, 7) Daniel Baranyi, 8) Dave Parker, 9) Cameron McLachlan, 10) Dave Jennings, 11) Tom Langton, 12) Danny Steel, 13) Ross Peel, Subs; 14) Brook Flynn, 15) Adam Oliver, 18) Dave Wright, 17) Tom Jenkins
Tries – White (18), Baranyi (A) (21), Jennings (26), Wilson (43), Baranyi (D) (47), McLachlan (62),
Goals – McGill (5/6)