Buffaloes power forwards towards cup semifinal in high scoring encounter against local rivals Guisley Rangers
Andy & Devon Johnson
After the excitement of the Grand National had subsided, we were treated to our second fixture of the day, the Buffaloes A team cup match against local rivals Guiseley, which had been rescheduled.
The pack showcased a blend of old and familiar faces as well as several promising newcomers donning the Buffaloes jersey.
Guisley wasted no time making their mark, seizing an opportunity in the 4th minute as they intercepted a Buffaloes pass near their own line, swiftly converting it into a long-range try. The scoreboard read 0-6 in their favour. However, the Buffaloes responded tenaciously, with Liam Lether breaking through Guisley’s defence to score their first try in the 10th minute. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful, making the score now Buffaloes 4 – 6.
In the 15th minute, Guisley extended their lead with another well-executed try, pushing the score to Buffaloes 4 – 12.
However, it was at this pivotal moment that Cam Leeming literally took the game by the scruff of the neck, aided and abetted by Kyle Briggs. Leeming’s first remarkable try unfolded in the 22nd minute and was a joy to watch. Rolling back the years, he bulldozed his way through half of Guisley’s team from a remarkable distance of 30 meters, demonstrating both power and agility to touch down under the posts. Tom Jenkins’ successful conversion narrowed the gap to Buffaloes 10 – 12.
Leeming’s influence continued to shape the game, as he orchestrated another attack from a scrum in the 26th minute. With several Guisley defenders trailing behind, Leeming crossed the line just 10 meters from the posts, although the subsequent conversion attempt fell short. This effort saw the Buffaloes reclaim the lead at Buffaloes 14 – 12.
The Buffaloes’ momentum surged with a well-crafted try in the 38th minute, courtesy of Kieran McFarlane, who displayed real grit and determination throughout both games of the doubleheader. Jenkins’ successful conversion extended the Buffaloes’ advantage to Buffaloes 20 – 12, rounding off an exhilarating first half of play.
Half Time score: Buffaloes 20 -12
As the second half kicked off amidst relentless rainfall, both teams admirably maintained their high level of skill despite the challenging conditions. Guiseley managed to notch a penalty from a favourable position in front of the posts, but the Buffaloes swiftly retaliated, led once again by the influential Cam Leeming. Leeming’s incisive play set up a stellar opportunity for Kieran McFarlane, who capitalised with a try near the posts. Tom Jenkins successfully converted, pushing the Buffaloes’ lead to 26-14.
The Buffaloes continued to assert their dominance, with Liam Lether bagging his second try of the match, elevating the scoreline to Buffaloes 30 – 14.
In the 58th minute, Kyle Briggs joined the scoring fray, capping off his impressive performance with a well-deserved try. Jenkins’ accurate conversion extended the Buffaloes’ lead to 36-14.
Despite Guiseley’s spirited efforts, they managed to breach the Buffaloes’ defence twice in quick succession, scoring tries in the 63rd and 68th minutes. However, this rally only fuelled Leeming’s determination, as he returned to the field to complete his hat-trick with a try in the 70th minute, solidifying the Buffaloes’ advantage at 40-24.
The Buffaloes faced a setback when Andy Boot, a stalwart of the team, was shown a red card by the referee, reducing them to 12 men. Nevertheless, they remained resolute in their attacking endeavours, culminating in a try for Ben Blanchard in the dying moments of the match. Blanchard’s display of nimble footwork saw him touch down just inches from the corner flag, sealing the victory for the Buffaloes with a final scoreline of 44-24.
Final score: Buffaloes 44 -24
Buffaloes: 1) Jordan Wilson, 2) Ben Blanchard, 3) Zane Ballantyne, 4) Liam Lether, 5) Jarvis Barker, 6) Kieran McFarlane, 7) Liam Barnsley, 8) Lewis Young, 9) Tom Jenkins, 10) Elliot Carter, 11) Jordan Wegg, 12) Omar Aziz, 13) Cam Leeming, Subs (all used); 14) Andy Boot, 15) James Clark, 16) Darren Todd, 17) Kyle Briggs,
Try scorers: Liam Lether (10, 55), Cam Leeming (22, 26, 70), Kieran McFarlane (38, 50), Kyle Briggs (58), Ben Blanchard (86)
Goal scorers: Jenkins x 4.