Buffaloes Outpace Illingworth with Seven-Try Blitz to Secure Trophy League 1 Victory
Reported by Andy and Devon Johnson
The Buffaloes stepped onto the field at West Leeds with a solid mix of youthful energy and seasoned experience. Despite being hit by a few last-minute withdrawals, the team was boosted by the welcome return of Simon Marnick and Karl Wilson, who brought added depth to the bench and reinforced the forward pack.
The opening stages of the match were cautious, as both teams tried to work out their opponents’ strengths and vulnerabilities. However, it quickly became apparent that the Buffaloes had the sharper back-line, ready to capitalize if given enough possession.
The opening try came in the 15th minute, the result of well-executed support play that exploited a weakness on Illingworth’s left-hand side. The Buffaloes worked the ball across the field into the hands of Tom Langton who went storming through the would-be-cover to score 10 meters wide of the posts. Kacper Mroz added the extras, putting the Buffaloes ahead 6 – 0.
By the 25th minute, the Buffaloes extended their lead. Sam Marshall surged down the right-hand side, proving too much for the Illingworth defenders to handle as he crossed the line. The conversion attempt went right over the top of the post but was not awarded. Score: 10 – 0.
A weak pass from Illingworth along their attacking line was mishandled and knocked on, resulting in a Buffaloes scrum deep in their opponent’s half. Initially, the Buffs looked to exploit Illingworth’s vulnerable left wing once again, but the defence held firm. Switching tactics, the Buffaloes began to hammer the middle with the forwards edging the Buffs closer and closer to the line. In the 35th minute, the ball found its way to Jack Boot, who twisted and wrestled his way through the defence with a tackler clinging on, eventually slamming the ball down over the line just left of the posts. Mroz slotted the conversion to take the Buffaloes to a commanding 16 – 0 lead.
Simon and Karl both made appearances in the final ten minutes of the half, making impactful carries and pushing the Buffs close to the line, though Illingworth’s defence held out and prevented them from adding to the score.
Half time: Buffaloes 16 – 0 Illingworth.
Illingworth came out strongly after the break, and in the 45th minute their man of the match, number 12, powered over from close range to get his side on the board. The successful conversion narrowed the score to 16 – 6.
For the next ten minutes, Illingworth dominated possession and applied sustained pressure, testing the Buffaloes’ defensive resolve. However, the momentum shifted dramatically in the 55th minute when Sam Marshall launched a blistering counterattack from deep inside his own half – 80 meters from the line. He beat man after man weaving through multiple defenders and seemed certain to score, only to be hauled down agonisingly close to the line by a determined Illingworth winger. Thankfully, Sam managed a quick offload over the top to Kasper Mroz, who was on hand to gather and touch down for an unconverted try. The Buffaloes extended their lead to 20 – 6.
Just five minutes later, the Buffaloes added to their tally with a moment of real quality. A well-worked attacking move ended with a beautifully judged cross-field kick, landing perfectly in the hands of center Marcus White. He rounded the Illingworth cover to dot the ball down alongside the posts. Despite the missed conversion, the Buffaloes were firmly in control at 24–6.
In the 65th minute, the Buffaloes crossed for their sixth try of the afternoon. A scrum deep in Illingworth’s half gave them excellent field position. Sharp, rapid passing along the back line stretched the defence, creating space on Illingworth’s left side. A long, missile pass found winger Ben Blanchard, who finished with confidence, diving over in the corner. The conversion attempt drifted wide, but the Buffaloes had extended their lead to 28 – 6.
Illingworth managed to squeeze in for their second try, showing some resilience, but any hopes of a comeback were quickly dashed. Buffaloes captain and man of the match, Cameron McLachlan, capped off a commanding performance by breaking through tired Illingworth defenders to crash over beneath the posts. Kacper Mroz added the extras, sealing the final score at 34 – 12.
Overall, it was a strong, disciplined team performance from the Buffaloes. The forwards stood tall against a physically imposing Illingworth pack, frequently winning the collision and laying a solid platform. Equally, the backs capitalised superbly on that foundation, showing pace, vision, and composure to exploit space and turn pressure into points. Cameron McLachlan was deservedly named Man of the Match for his leadership and impact across the pitch, though special mentions must go to Jack Boot, who worked tirelessly, and Sam Marshall, whose elusive running kept Illingworth on the back foot all afternoon.
Final score: Buffaloes 34 – 12 Illingworth
Buffaloes: 1) Ethan McFarlane, 2) Marcus White, 3) Thomas Mead, 4) Samuel Marshall, 5) Ben Blanchard, 6) Kacper Mroz, 7) Kieran McFarlane, 8) Cameron McLachlan, 9) Jack Boot, 10) Jacob Oldroyd, 11) Jake Doyle, 12) Billy Butterworth, 13) Thomas Langton, Subs (All Used); 14) Ben Wilkinson, 15) Karl Wilson, 16) Charlie McMurray
Tries: Langton (15), Marshall (25), Boot (35), Mroz (55), White (60), Blanchard (65), McLachlan (75)
Goals: Mroz x 3
Illingworth: 1) Jacob Farrell Briggs, 2) Isaac Farrell, 3) Leo Haigh, 4) Joel Howarth, 5) Ryan Jepson, 6) Ethan Laheney, 7) Andrew McElroy, 8) Harley Morris, 9) Kieran Nicholson, 10) Reece Ogden, 11) Jordan Owens, 12) Max Perry, 13) Jordan Ryder, Subs (All Used); 14) Aahren Scott, 15) Stanley Steele, 16) Jack Sutcliffe, 17) Luke Thirkill
