By Paul Abraham
When the referee finally blew his whistle for the end of a titanic struggle, everyone connected with the “Buffs” could celebrate and heave a massive sigh of relief.
In front of a large crowd the two outstanding teams of the division throughout the entire season produced a tremendous title-decider which was a credit to both teams and despite what was at stake the match was played in a wonderful sporting manner.
Bramley stormed to an early lead as Curtis Sidebottom scored a second minute try to give the home side a 4-0 lead.
The Buffs increased their lead shortly after when flying winger Eliah Chitiyo went 80 metres to score and leave the Dodworth defenders grasping at fresh air and with Lewis Gaunt adding the conversion and Bramley were 10 points up.
Another 25 minutes would pass before a superb individual try by Sam Neave increased the lead to fourteen points before Dodworth Miners finally got on to the scoreboard with a try and goal just before Dan Booth scored to increase the lead to 12 points at the break.
Whatever was said in the Dodworth huddle during the break certainly had an impact as the South Yorkshire side went up several gears to score three tries and a conversion to put them 18-20 in front.
With five minutes left on the clock Bramley scored the try of the match as Sam Marshall made a break and offloaded for Sam Neave to score his second try, which was converted by Connor McGill to give the Bramley side a 24-20 lead.
With the Buffs fans thinking the referee’s watch had stopped as Dodworth attacked time and time again as we went into deep stoppage time before a Dodworth player was penalised and the final whistle went, and the celebrations could begin.
Yorkshire Cup winners and now winners on the League Leaders Title the Buffaloes can now look forward to an appearance in the Grand Final at Featherstone on the 14th of September against either Dodworth Miners or Upton as the Buffaloes head straight to the final due to New Earswick All Blacks announced they couldn’t raise a team for next weeks semi-final. Grand Final details will be announced shortly.
Please read Andy Johnson’s full match report here.
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