Rampant Buffaloes show their cup credentials as they throw Pirates overboard.
by Andy & Devon Johnson
Wow, what a difference a week can make! The atmosphere was electric on a cold but dry afternoon as the Buffaloes took on Scarborough in the YML Shield Cup round 1 game. The players had rallied together all week, resulting in over 40 players showing up to training, and a full team were ready to dominate on the field.
The game started with a bang, as Kieran Foster Matthews, in his triumphant return to the fold, gathered the ball from a Scarborough kick. Looking at the team in front of him, he put on an explosive burst of speed, leaving three Scarborough defenders in the dust before beating the full-back and scoring an incredible try within the first two minutes! Colin Cobley converted the try, bringing the score to 6-0 in favour of the Buffaloes.
But the Buffaloes were just getting started! Captain Brad Wilson took matters into his own hands, scooting through the defence and rounding two defenders to score another try just six minutes later at the side of the posts. Colin Cobley once again nailed the conversion. The score was now 12-0, and the Buffaloes were dominating the game.
In the 11th minute, Scarborough spilled the ball near their line under intense pressure created by the Buffaloes. Colin Cobley pounced on the opportunity, scoring a simple try and converting it himself. The score now stood at 18-0, and the Buffaloes were showing no signs of slowing down.
In the 22nd minute, Deisel Whalley joined the scoring frenzy, showing incredible skill to score in the corner after the Buffaloes again took advantage of a Scarborough mistake. The conversion attempt went wide, but the Buffaloes still had a commanding lead of 22-0.
In the 25th minute, it was the turn of Kacper Mroz as he bulldozed his way over the dispirited Scarborough centre, showcasing his incredible strength to score another try. The score now climbed to 26-0 in favour of the Buffaloes.
Scarborough hardly had a chance to take a breath before the tireless Bailey Harmon received a pass and went on an incredible run, beating several tacklers before dotting the ball down at the side of the posts. Connor McGill stepped up to convert the try, bringing the score to 32-0.
The Buffaloes weren’t satisfied with just six tries. Jack Boot showed incredible strength and determination to force his way over from 10 meters in the final minute of the half, unfortunately injuring himself in the process. Connor McGill added the extra points, bringing the half-time score to an unbelievable 38-0 in favour of the Buffaloes!
Half-time score: Buffaloes 38:0 Scarborough
With the same explosive energy they had shown in the first half, the Buffaloes wasted no time extending their already commanding lead. It took just five minutes for Aiden Byrani, a player who had briefly retired from the game, to become the eighth Buffalo to score with a thunderous run that turned back the clock. He charged towards the posts, leaving the Scarborough defenders in his wake, and scored a converted try. The score was now Buffaloes 44:0
Jamie Donnelly became the 9th Buffalo to score as he caught the ball on his own 20m line following the Scarborough kick-off. He burst past 3 would-be tacklers before racing clear for an electrifying 80m try! This was converted, bringing up the half-century with the scoreline Buffaloes 50:0.
In the 59th minute, Scarborough made the most of a very rare Buffaloes mistake near their own line to pounce on a dropped ball and score their first converted try. Buffaloes 50:6
Bramley regrouped and continued to relentlessly pressure the tiring Scarborough defence. In the 59th minute, Cameron McLachlan, who had been a standout player making strong runs and playing a tough defence, seized the opportunity to get a try of his own. With the ball in hand and a clear sight of the try line from 30 meters out, McLachlan summoned all his strength and charged forward, shrugging off defenders left and right before finally crashing over the line for a sensational try. Buffaloes 54:6
Jamie Donnelly was on fire, and he didn’t stop at just two tries. In the 64th minute, he gathered in a pass on the left wing, 50 meters out, and carved his way through the exhausted Scarborough tacklers for his second try of the afternoon, bringing the score to Bramley 58:6. But Jamie wasn’t done yet. Just minutes later, he again showed off his incredible speed and strength to break through and score his hat trick, bringing the score to Buffaloes 62:6.
In the 70th minute, the game got a little heated when Ben Wilkinson and a Scarborough centre got into a scuffle, and both were given yellow cards. Scarborough took advantage of the situation, taking a quick tap and scoring their second converted try. Buffaloes 62:12
The game’s final score came from a strong run by several of the Buffaloes, culminating in a try by Jack Boot that was converted by Kacper Mroz leaving the score at 68: 12.
Full-time score: Buffaloes 68:12 Scarborough
This was a compelling team performance, with several players in contention for the man of the match. Cameron McLachlan had a solid game in attack and defence, and Jamie Donnelly managed a hat trick. Still, they were all possibly shaded by Connor McGill, who was firm in attack and defence and organisation all afternoon. With the Easter weekend off to rest and recuperate, the Buffaloes will be ready to take on Batley Boys and hopefully continue their winning streak.
1) Jamie Donnelly, 2) Colin Cobley, 3) Dylan Murphy, 4) Jonny Filin, 5) Keiran Foster-Matthews, 6) Kacper Mroz, 7) Micky Wright, 8) Cameron McLachlan, 9) Brad Wilson, 10) Jacob Oldroyd, 11) Ben Wilkinson, 12) Bailey Harmon 13) Conner McGill, Subs (All Used); 14) Eithan McFarlane, 15) Dylan Maan, 17) Diesel Whalley, 18) Kylie Briggs, 19) Aidan Byriani, 20) Jack Boot, 21) Billy Butterworth, 22) Charlie McMurray.
Scorers
Tries – Foster-Matthews (2), Wilson (6), Cobley (11), Whalley (22), Mroz (25), Harmon (27), Boot (40, 76( Barayni (45), Donnelly (47, 64, 66), McLachlan (62).
Goals – Cobley x 3, McGill x 2, Mroz x3