Buffaloes fall at final hurdle
Andy & Devon Johnson
The Buffaloes arrived at Millennium Stadium (or Post Office Road, to us oldies!) aiming to clinch a clean sweep of the season’s trophies. They wanted to add one more victory with the minor premiership already secured as Division 3’s top team and the YML Trophy in hand. However, the lead-up to the game was marked by uncertainty about player availability, with some players committed to the West Leeds RU’s season opener and others unable to make the early 11 a.m. kick-off due to work obligations. Despite these challenges, the Buffaloes fielded a strong 17-man squad, though notably missing three of their top four try scorers for the season.
In the opening half-hour, the Buffaloes struggled to gain momentum, rarely getting possession as the referee penalised them frequently while seeming to overlook similar offences by Dodsworth, particularly in offside and high tackles. With a lopsided penalty count of 7-1, Dodsworth didn’t look a gift horse in the mouth, making the most of the favourable field position to score three tries in the 12th, 20th, and 23rd minutes, building a 14-point lead.
The Buffaloes pressed forward, pushing up the slope to break Dodsworth’s defence only to be thwarted legally, by solid tackles, or illegally. Dan Booth, in particular, was cynically halted by a nasty high tackle just as he looked poised to score from 10 meters out with only one defender in his path.
The Buffaloes finally found their rhythm in the 27th minute, executing a smooth, well-coordinated play across the field that created just enough space for Kieran Hudson to squeeze in at the corner, reducing the deficit to 4 – 14.
The Buffaloes continued to push aggressively in the final 10 minutes of the half, but they became the only side to receive a yellow card in what felt like an unjust call. Of all 26 players in the scuffle that broke out when a Buffaloes player was forcefully dragged into touch, Codey Downey was singled out for the penalty.
Half-time score: Buffaloes 4 – 14
The Buffaloes took to the field in the second half down to 12 players, giving Dodsworth an immediate advantage, which they capitalised on with a try in the 49th minute, extending their lead to 4 – 20. Despite the slope in their favour now, the Buffaloes faced a daunting task to make up the deficit. But an inspired substitution in the 60th minute saw Kylie Briggs being introduced into the fray, and what a difference it made.
The Buffaloes’ first try of the half came from Kieran Hudson, who once again managed to squeeze in by the corner flag. Connor McGill’s conversion attempt narrowly missed, bringing the score to 8 – 20. Soon after, Codey Downey put his name on the scoresheet with a lovely try after some skilful inter-passing along the touchline. The conversion again fell short, but the Buffaloes continued to close the gap, with the score now standing at 12 – 20.
Just as the Buffaloes’ comeback gained momentum, their line was breached as Dodsworth struck back. In their only push into Buffaloes’ territory during the final quarter, Dodsworth’s big, powerful prop forced his way over the line, making it 12 – 26.
Undeterred, the Buffaloes continued to show their true grit and resilience, with Kylie Briggs running the show and leading a spirited offensive effort. The Buffaloes came close to scoring twice more in the following 10 minutes, but both tries were denied similarly, with the touch judge’s flag going up just as they crossed over on the left-hand side.
Despite the pressure mounting as the clock ticked down, Kieran Hudson secured his hat-trick try in the corner, though the final conversion attempt went wide.
Final score: Buffaloes 16 – 26
While the Buffaloes fell short in this match, they have much to celebrate from their 2024 season, having claimed two out of three available trophies. Credit goes to every player who wore the Buffaloes jersey, as they finished with an impressive record of only three losses in 18 games. Enjoy the off-season, and we’ll see you back with the Buffaloes in 2025!
Buffaloes team:
1) Kieran McFarlane 2) Kieran Hudson) 3) Cody Downey 4) Dan Booth 5) Kasper Mroz 6) Connor McGill 7) Sam Neave 8) Jacob Oldroyd 9) Jack Boot 10) Louis Morrison 11) Tom Langton 12) Cameron McLachlan 13) Lewis Gaunt 14) Kyle Briggs) 15) Charlie McMurray 16) Michael Wright 17) Curtis Sidebottom
Buffaloes try scorers:
(Keiran Hudson 27, 62 & 77 min)
(Cody Downey 68 min)
Goal scorers:
No goals
