By Paul Abraham
With a sea of fresh faces and familiar ones, it was obvious that the Buffaloes’ coaches had their work cut out during the week to raise a team for the Elland match, especially with most of the first team away in Benidorm for a stag weekend.
Despite the Buffaloes’ reasonable plea for a postponement, the newly engaged Elland/Greetland coach denied it, even though the Greetland/Elland team also had several players enjoying the sunny shores of Benidorm, making the decision not to postpone the match all the more peculiar.
It came as no surprise that the Buffs suffered their first defeat of the season due to all the changes, but the Bramley officials and coaching staff could be proud of the effort and determination of the players involved who never gave in and battled to the final minute.
A try for Cam Leeming converted by Keiran McFarlane was all Bramley had to show for a gutsy first-half performance as the home team led 18-6 at the break.
An early second half try by Dan Booth, again converted by Keiran McFarlane brought the Buffs within a converted try to the hosts. A converted try by Elland/Greetland was soon negated as Cam Leeming went over for his second try and with McFarlane adding the points the gap was back to six points.
With a full interchange bench at their disposal, the home side capitalised on fresh legs to score two more tries before the final whistle, securing a victory with Buffaloes 18-36.
A full match report by Devon and Andy Johnson can be read on the following link.
Yorkshire men’s league results
- Dodworth Miners 30 – York Acorn 10
- Wyke 22 – New Earswick All Blacks 28
Despite the loss the Buffaloes still sit proudly at the top of Division Three. After just three rounds of matches only Birstall Victoria have not lost a match, although they have only played in one round so far, proving what a competitive division, this is going to be and augers well for an entertaining season.
This week’s opponents
The weekend has the Buffaloes competing in two cup ties: the first team will host Castleford Panthers, while the A team will embark on a journey to face Garforth.
Castleford Panthers visit West Leeds Rugby Union’s Blue Hill Lane ground standing in second place in division two with two wins from two and so will provide a stern test for the home side.
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