Buffaloes slow to warm up at Birstall Victoria but once they did, they ran in 10 tries to totally dominate
Andy & Devon Johnson
Unlike last week at Upton, the Buffaloes travelled with a full squad of 17 players for the return match against Birstall Victoria, scheduled for a rare 3:15 pm kick-off. However, the later start couldn’t have begun worse for the Buffaloes, as Birstall quickly exploited gaps in their defence to score two converted tries. For those who witnessed the Upton game, it was a frustrating case of déjà vu, as the Buffaloes found themselves trailing 12 – 0 within the first ten minutes.
Once the Buffaloes settled into the game, though, they took control, and from here on out, there was one-way traffic. The momentum shifted in the 13th minute when Jack Boot took the ball and weaved through the Birstall defence to jink in and score near the posts. With Lewis Gaunt successfully converting, the score was 12 – 6.
Just three minutes later, the Buffaloes levelled up the game when Sam Marshall showcased his strength and powered his way over out wide on the right. Lewis Gaunt hit a towering conversion to tie the score at 12 – 12.
In the 21st minute, the Buffaloes took the lead. Returning player Codey Downey showed his quick pace to sprint past the despairing Birstall defenders and dot the ball down over the line. Although Gaunt missed the conversion, the Buffaloes were now ahead at 16 – 12.
Despite some promising build-up play orchestrated by Kylie Briggs and Curtis Sidebottom, which included an exquisite flip-back pass just meters from the line, the Buffaloes couldn’t add to the scoreboard before half-time, leaving the score at 16 – 12.
Half-time score: Buffaloes 16 – 12.
The Buffaloes dominated the second half, as their forward pack overpowered Birstall’s defence. In the 47th minute, after some good approach play, the giant frame of new lad George Carpenter blasted through the would-be defenders from five meters out, scoring at the base of the posts. Lewis Gaunt slotted over the conversion, extending the lead to 22 – 12.
In the 53rd minute, Lewis Gaunt had a try of his own to celebrate after gathering the ball and racing 20 meters with Birstall players clinging to his back to score. He converted his own try, pushing the score to 28 – 12.
Just two minutes later, the Buffaloes struck again. This time, crowd favourite Tom Langton was on hand in the centre berth to cross the line five meters in from the touchline. Although Gaunt’s conversion attempt missed, the Buffaloes were firmly in control at 32 – 12.
In the 68th minute, Zane Ballantyne notched his first try of the afternoon with an energetic race to the line that Birstall just couldn’t compete in. Connor McGill fancied his chances at goal this time and put over a superb trademark conversion, making it 38 – 12. Ballantyne wasn’t done yet; just four minutes later, he pickpocketed Birstall’s fullback to score his second try. McGill put over a towering conversion, increasing the lead to 44 – 12.
In the 74th minute, Jack Boot, who had an outstanding match, sprinted in past an exhausted Birstall defence for his second try of the game. McGill converted, bringing the score to 50-12. The match was capped off when Zane Ballantyne completed his hat-trick, with another successful conversion by McGill, finalising the score at 56-12.
Full-time score: Buffaloes 56 – 12.
Despite the slow start, the Buffaloes’ performance ultimately impressed both the crowd and, more importantly, the coaches. While there are still areas to refine before our final game of the season against league leaders Dodworth, we’re confident the team can rally together and position us strongly heading into the playoff games.
Victoria: 1) Jack Burton, 2) Bailey Ellis, 3) Owen West, 4) Kane Ellis, 5) Callum West, 6) Oliver Tomlinson, 7) Harry Avis, 8) Matthew Ginnelly, 9) William Copley, 10) Zack Chatterton, 11) Colby Cox, 12) Cameron Stevens, 13) Joshua Taylor, Subs (all used); 14) Kyle Hardaker, 15) Joseph Frain, 16) Noah Ellis, 17) Ethan Ellis.
Buffaloes: 1) Codey Downey, 2) Kieran Hudson, 3) Daniel Booth, 4) Samuel Marshall, 5) Zane Ballantyne, 6) Connor McGill, 7) Sam Neave, 8) Jacob Oldroyd, 9) Jack Boot, 10) Louis Morrison, 11) Thomas Langton, 12) Bailey Harman, 13) Lewis Gaunt, Subs (all used); 14) George Carpenter, 15) Kyle Briggs, 16) Curtis Sidebottom, 17) Ben Wilkinson.
Tries: Boot (13, 72), Marshall (16), Downey (21), Carpenter (47), Gaunt (53), Langton (55), Ballantyne (68, 72, 76)
Goals: Gaunt x 4, McGill x 4