BRAMLEY BUFFALOES 22 BRISTOL SONICS 28 – Arthur Miller Stadium, Sunday
Sonics came back from a 10-point half time deficit to record their second win of the season claiming victory in the dramatic final minute.
Bramley were the first to score in the second minute, hooker Ben Pitts scooting over next to the posts, Steve Suddards converting.
A minute later Bristol responded with a try from Marcus Brooker, goaled by Dom Swann, levelling the scores.
In a frenetic opening, Buffaloes were in again soon after following a neat pass from scrum half Suddards, leading to Aaron Blake crossing, Suddards making it 12-6 to the hosts.
In the 20th minute, winger Carl Linley extended the home lead racing over for an unconverted try and the rest of the first half saw both team testing each other’s defence with neither making a break through.
The opening forays of the second half were error strewn, with both sides been guilty of not completing their sets.
But Bramley sensed victory when Robin Wilkes danced over in the 52nd minute, Suddards goaling to put daylight between the teams.
It lasted barely four minutes, though, Bristol fighting back with a second try for centre Brooker and, five minutes later, man of the match Harry Marson nipped over for a try converted by Dom Swann to close the gap to six points.
That set up a frantic finish and, with three minutes to go, Jake Robertson waltzed through some poor Bramley defence, Swann levelling the scores at 22-all with the goal.
In the final act, Buffaloes were on the attack and in the Bristol 20 when Sonics fullback Mike Norman intercepted a wayward pass and ran 80 metres to score between the posts, for the heartbreaking clincher.
BUFFALOES
1) Craig Lingard, 2) Andrew Staniland, 3) Aaron Blake, 4) Nick Fontaine, 5) Carl Linley, 6) Omar Al Rawi, 7) Steve Suddards, 8) James Woods, 9) Ben Pitts, 10) Jake Doyle, 11) Benoit Rogers, 12) Danny O’Connor, 13) Robin Wilks, Subs (all used), 14) Dave Parker, 15) Steve Gill, 16) Graham Nash, 17) Anthony Mills
Tries: Pitts (2), Blake (8), Linley (20), Wilks (52)
Goals: Suddards 3
SONICS
1) Mike Norman, 2) James Garham, 3) Andre Samura, 4) Marcus Brooker, 5) Andrew Bond, 6) Dom Swann, 7) Johan Scholeman, 8) Daniel Brooker, 9) Harry Marson, 10) Nathanial Rainer, 11) Jake Robertson, 12) Winjard Wormhoudt, 13) Wes Rogers, Subs (all used), 14) Joe Singleton, 15) Curtis Asanti, 16) Karl Fearnley, 17) Mike Gatson
Tries: Brooker (3, 56), Marston (61), Robertson (77), Norman (79)
Goals: Swann 4
Men of the match: BUFFALOES –Steve Suddards SONICS – Harry Marston
Half time: 16-6
Referee: Gareth Billingham