By Paul Abraham
It promised to be a tough challenge travelling to Moldgreen to try and secure a place in the Yorkshire Men’s League Trophy Final, but Bramley Buffaloes produced an outstanding performance to secure a 26-22 victory.
The Buffaloes will now head to the home of the Batley Bulldogs on 20 July to face Illingworth in the final. Illingworth secured their place by defeating Dodworth Miners 34-24.
The Buffs opened the scoring with a Sam Marshall try and Lewis Gaunt goal to take an early lead before Moldgreen hit back to level the scores at 6-6.
Bramley’s flying right winger Eliah Chitiyo then broke through from near his own try line to sprint 90 yards for a spectacular touchdown, and he soon followed this with his second try as Bramley took a 16-6 lead. Moldgreen pulled a try and conversion back for the Buffs to lead 16-12 at half-time.
A determined home team went up a gear in the second half to race into a 22-16 lead. But, as in previous matches, the Bramley side showed their exceptional fitness to fight back with Chitiyo completing his hat-trick and with Lewis Gaunt adding the conversion the game was level again at 22 points each. With time running out Bramley’s left centre Sam Marshall powered over for his second try to secure a magnificent 26-22 victory.
Catch the highlights on the semi-final here.
This week’s opponents
The confident Buffaloes travel to third-placed York Acorn on Saturday. Top of the table Buffaloes and York both had easy victories recently against Wyke with the Buffs winning 88-0 and York scoring 84 points, however York Acorn lost their last league match 22-40 when they visited Elland/Greetland.
Jed Gowland
It was announced after the match that popular coach Jed Gowland would be leaving the club. Jed has been a tremendous servant to the club and everyone associated with the Buffaloes wish him every success for the future. This is what Jed had to say after the semi-final victory.
“This is a memory that will stay with me for the rest of my life, the final game as a coach with Bramley, I have met some truly great people in the time I spent there.
From the chairman to the fans I’ve always felt welcome and like one of their own, the players there are an amazing bunch no doubt about that.
I am pleased to announce I have been appointed head coach of Harrogate Hawks taking over from their departing coach Mikey, I am looking forward to getting started and taking Harrogate to the next level using knowledge and experience gained in my time at Bramley.
This move is by no means a goodbye to Bramley as I have nothing but love for the club, I will be there for the final cheering them on, must admit it will be a strange experience watching as a fan.”
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