Buffaloes demolish Birstall in an 11-try romp in the West Leeds sun.
Andy & Devon Johnson
The Buffaloes were almost at full strength for their division 3 encounter with Birstall Victoria and took full advantage of the conditions as the sun shone. For the second consecutive week, the Buffaloes fielded one of their strongest sides, with Bryn Perrot making his season debut.
It took just 5 minutes for the Buffaloes to open the scoring, with Ben Perrot flying over the line after supporting a lovely break. However, the conversion from close range went wide, leaving the score at 4 – 0.
The Buffaloes then faltered, failing to secure the kick-off and committing several high tackles in their subsequent defence. Birstall capitalised on these mistakes, scoring under the posts after four consecutive sets in the 10th minute, bringing the score to 4 – 6.
Just five minutes later, the Buffaloes regained the lead. Sam Marshall displayed strength and determination, breaking through multiple tackles to score the second try for the Buffaloes. The conversion was missed, making the score 8 – 6.
Five minutes after that, the Buffaloes opposite winger, Keiran Hudson, finished a flowing move for the first of his three tries. The conversion went wide again, bringing the score to 12 – 6.
Three more tries followed at nearly five-minute intervals. At the 25-minute mark, the first was scored by Connor McGill, who also converted his own try, extending the lead to 18 – 6.
In the 27th minute, Bryn Perrot scored his second try after supporting a long-range break, with McGill adding the extras to make it 24 – 6.
At the 35-minute mark, the Buffaloes logged their sixth try, a second for Keiran Hudson, who was too strong to be stopped by the tiring Birstall defenders. With Connor McGill’s shoes in pieces, Omar Al-Rawi stepped up to take the conversion. Unfortunately, he missed, resulting in a score of 28 – 6.
Half-time score: Buffaloes 28 – 6
The Buffaloes continued their dominance in the second half. In the 45th minute, Cam Leeming powered over by the posts after receiving a lovely inside pass. Omar Al-Rawi missed the conversion, making the score 32 – 6.
The Buffaloes made several substitutions but maintained their control, being held up over the line three times within five minutes. In the 50th minute, Bailey Harmon was on hand to collect and dot the ball over the line, with Kaspar Mroz converting, bringing the score to 38 – 6.
In the 60th minute, Sam Marshall scored his second try of the afternoon, with an almost carbon copy of his first-half effort. Kaspar Mroz added the extras, extending the lead to 44 – 6.
Five minutes later, Sam Neave, who had made inroads into the Birstall defence all afternoon, scored the Buffaloes’ tenth try. The conversion, taken by Kacper Mroz, went wide, making it 48 – 6.
The final try for the Buffaloes came moments before the whistle blew for full-time when Keiran Hudson completed his hat trick by forcing his way over the line. This brought the final score to 52 – 6 in favour of the Buffaloes.
Final score: Buffaloes 52 – 6
Buffaloes:1) Omar Al-Rawi, 2) Jamie Donnelly, 4) Keiran Hudson, 3) Bryn Perrott, 5) Sam Marshall, 6) Connor McGill, 7) Sam Neave, 8) Jacob Oldroyd, 9) Jack Boot, 10) Cameron McLachlan, 11) Tom Langton, 12) Lewis Gaunt, 13) Cam Leeming, Subs (All Used); 14) Bailey Harman 15) Brad Wilson 16) Kasper Mroz 17) Charlie McMurray.
Tries: Perrott (5 & 27), Marshall (15 & 60), McGill (25), Hudson (20, 30 & 80), Leeming (44), Harman (50), Neave (65).
Goals: McGill x 2, Mroz x 2.