This weekend saw us take on Oulton Raiders ‘A’ team in a hastily arranged friendly thanks to the efforts of former club player and coach Steve Gill, writes Martyn Cheney.
The Oulton ranks contained former Buffaloes favourites Ben Dean and Aaron Blake, who was returning from injury.
The game started brightly for the Buffaloes when, in the fifth minute, loose forward Tom Langton was deemed to be held up over the line.
But two minutes later the Raiders opened a 0-6 lead when James Jones crashed over, with Josh Murray adding the conversion.
In the eleventh minute, the Buffaloes were reduced to 12 men when prop Ben Maynard Worrincy was sent off during a scuffle.
In the 24th minute, the raiders were in again when Jordan Black capitalised on some weak defending, with Murray again successful with the conversion, doubling the lead to 0-12.
On the half hour mark Buffaloes Man of the Match Martin Slack crashed over the line but was deemed to be held up.
Two Minutes later the Buffaloes opened their scoring, when Kieran Hudson Jinxed his way through the defence, with Tom White adding the conversion. 6-12 to the visitors.
In the 39th minute Buffaloes prop Al Harker was dispatched to the sin bin for a clumsy tackle, which left the Raiders player on the floor. After a lengthy delay while the player received medical treatment, Scott Holden took advantage of the buffaloes being two men down and score a converted try, Murray again adding the two points. This took the score to 6-18.
Eight minutes into first half injury time, Murray scored a try and added the conversion to make the half time score, 6-24.
Buffaloes were on the attack from the kick-off, and scrum half Aiden Baranyi racing away for a try, with White adding the conversion. That made the score 12-24.
In the 44th minute, Aiden Baranyi broke the defensive line and passed the ball on the inside to Hudson, who sprinted away for his second of the afternoon. White again added the conversion, making the score 18-24.
On 50 Minutes Tom Downing cross the line for a try with Murray adding the conversion, taking the lead to 18-30.
Three minutes later and Hudson crossed the line again for an unconverted try, reducing the Raiders lead to 22-30.
In the 60th minute, the raiders crossed the line with Carl Burke scored a try, with Murray adding the extra two points, making the score 22-36.
Three minutes later, Keiron Hainsworth scored a Raiders try, with Murray again on target, taking the score to 22-42.
On 66 minutes, Murray scored his second try of the afternoon, again he was successful with the conversion, making the score 22-48.
In the 69th minute Jordan Black cross for a try, with Murray adding the conversion, making the score 22-54.
One minute later the Buffaloes were on the score sheet again when Brad Wilson crossed for a typical Wilson try, burrowing through to the line from close range. However, Langton was unsuccessful with the conversion, leaving the score 26-54.
In the remaining time in the game, the Raiders cross for three unconverted tries, first up was Kai Fox, followed by Ben Dean and Jones scored a second, making the final score 26-66.
The Buffaloes are back in Yorkshire Mens League action next week when they make the short trip to Wibsey Warriors.
Buffaloes: 1) Kieran Foster Matthews, 2) Danny Wareing, 3) Rob Brown, 4) Kieran Hudson, 5) Garry Butterfield, 6) Tom White, 7) Aiden Baranyi, 8) Martin Slack, 9) Cameron McLachlan, 10) Ben Maynard, 11) Danny Baranyi, 17) Al Harker, 13) Tom Langton, Subs (all used); 15) Tom Jenkins, 16) Russell Furlong, 12) Curtis Sidebottom, 19) Brad Wilson.
Tries: Hudson (32, 44, 53), Baranyi A. (41) , Wilson (70)
Goals: White 3 from 4, Langton 0 from 1
Raiders: 1) Harry Kendal, 5) James Jones, 21) Jonny Austin, 4) Aaron Blake, 2) Zack Schofield, 17) Ben Dean, 6) Josh Murray, 16) Dave Jagcor, 3) Adam Lunn, 18) Gary Sargent, 15) Jordan Black, 12) Tom Lunn, 13) Scott Holden, Subs (all Used); 19) Kai Fox, 9) Tom Downing, 11) Tim Stableford, 16) Carl Burke, 20) Connor Dunbar, 14) Keiron Hainsworth, 18) Jordan Bromley.
Tries: Jones (7, 80+5), Black (24, 69), Holden (40), Murray (40+8, 66), Downing (50), Burke (60), Hainsworth (63), Fox (74), Dean (80).
Goals: Murray 9 from 12