Any one of three teams can finish top at the close of the regular campaign next week after Bramley completed the double over the Colts, inflicting on the visitors only their second defeat of the campaign, denying them a crucial bonus point and nilling any Crusaders side for the very first time.

The result leaves Warrington at the summit, who travel to Wales next weekend, while if the Buffaloes beat Dewsbury and Crusaders win, they will take the League Leaders’ honours.

In front of a large vocal crowd, outstanding defence from the hosts – particularly in the closing quarter when the visitors pressed for the point that would have taken them second – saw the Buffaloes bounce back from their defeat at the hands of the Wizards last week.

If the current series of matches between the trio are mirrored in the play offs then the post season is set to be something special.

All the early pressure came from the visitors who constantly made good metres with their mobile forwards, who looked to off-load at every opportunity.

On five minutes Andy McGann and Tony Williams combined to force Josh Hannan into touch when a score in the corner looked certain and all in the Bramley ranks showed great fortitude to stand up to the waves of Colts attacks.

On the few occasions Bramley were able to gain territory they looked dangerous, especially out wide on the left through Danny O’Connor, Matt Mullholland and John Richardson.

On one of the hosts rare attacks Lloyd White was penalised for a flop and Paul Drake kicked the resulting shot at goal to open the scoring.

More Crusader pressure followed with only excellent scrambling goal line defence keeping them out.

Jamie I’Anson continually made good metres, well supported by Lewis Fox, White and Steve Williams.

As the half drew to a close and with the Buffaloes mounting a sortie, they were awarded another penalty and this time quick thinking from Graham Harrison saw him take a tap and dart over unopposed between the posts, Drake adding the conversion. 

Crusaders were pulled back for a forward pass early in the second half as they looked to open up the Bramley defence down the middle.

A series of knock-ons and misplaced passes followed before Drake was just wide with a penalty on 44 minutes.

Five minutes later Tony Williams, whose kicking game was outstanding, chipped over the Crusader’s defence and he and Shaun Flynn chased through.

Ashley Griffiths was just too late getting to the ball as Flynn hacked on and Tony

Williams was able to touch down by the posts, Drake landing the conversion.

Graham Harrison was sin-binned on 55 minutes for ungentlemanly conduct, however aggressive tackling denied the visitors any scoring opportunities while he was off the field.

Crusaders threw everything at the Bramley line and as their frustration grew at chasing the game, so did unforced errors while Buffaloes made better metres in the second half as they were continually taken forward by good runs from Daniel Caston, Richardson, Richard Leese and Mark Butterill.

Tony Williams time and again turned the Crusaders around with raking kicks as Bramley increased the pressure which finally paid dividends on 72 minutes when slick cross field passing saw Richardson squeeze in at the corner courtesy of some neat footwork.

Drake’s conversion hit the post but in the final minute Tony Williams dropped a goal to ram home the Buffaloes advantage and put down a significant psychological marker for the battles to come.

Buffaloes
1 Shaun Flynn
2 Andy McGann
3 Daniel Caston
4 Matt Mullholland
5 John Richardson
6 Paul Drake
7 Tony Williams
8 Richard Leese
9 Graham Harrison
10 Mark Butterill
11 Danny O’Connor
12 Danny Johnson
13 Jon Nicholls
Subs (all used)
14 Thomas Webb
15 Scott Pendlebury
16 Shaun Gilmour
17 Chris Gardner
Tries: Harrison (39), Williams (49), Richardson (72)
Goals: Drake 3/5
Drop goal: Williams
Sin bin: Harrison (55 – ungentlemanly conduct)

Colts
1 Ashley Griffiths
2 Josh Hannam
3 Gary Williams
4 Lee Williams
5 Greg Callow
6 Lloyd White
7 Steve Williams
8 Jamie L’Anson
9 Tom Burndell
10 Gil Dudson
11 Dan Smith
12 Lewis Fox
13 Chris Vitalini
Subs (all used)
14 Liam Williams
15 Barrie Phillips
16 Mark Wool
17 Paul Emmannuelli

Men of the match
BUFFALOES–John Richardson
COLTS – Lewis Fox
Half time: 8-0
Referee: M. Croft

article by Phil Caplan
17 August 2008