Two of the top three teams in the Co-operative Rugby League Conference National league met when Crusaders Colts welcomed Bramley Buffaloes to the Brewery Field in Bridgend for what turned out to be a tremendous advert for Rugby League.

Crusaders had demolished Lancashire Lions 14-66 the previous week to stay top of the table whilst Bramley had succumbed 14-22 to second placed and currently unbeaten Warrington Wizards.

Buffaloes coach Paul Cook was no doubt looking for a response from his team against a Crusaders team unbeaten at home and averaging 52 points a game.

Both teams made changes from the previous week with Tony Williams returning at scrum half for Bramley and Kevin Till switching to hooker at the expense of Thomas Webb.



On a fine, dry afternoon in front of a good sized and vocal crowd, Bramley kicked off. The early exchanges saw both sides complete their respective sets and finish with a kick.

There was little between the teams early on although Crusaders had more ball and better field position, Bramley were struggling to get into the opposition half despite some good kicks from both Tony Williams and Paul Drake.



On 8 minutes a knock-on on about 45 metres out enabled Crusaders from the resulting scrum to move swiftly downfield and following a penalty for a high tackle Elliot Kear crossed wide-out for the first try. There was no conversion. A penalty to Bramley on 12 minutes saw Tony Williams make good ground inside the Colts half, however the pressure could not be sustained and the Colts speed of play-the-ball and off-loading from the tackle saw them turn defence into attack.



On 18 minutes a Williams kick on the last tackle inside the Colts 20 metre area saw Richard Leese catch the ball and crash over the line to the delight of the travelling Bramley supporters. However their joy was short-lived when after discussion with his linesman, the referee disallowed the try because Richard Leese was adjudged to be in front of the kicker. This decision appeared costly as first Lee Williams shrugged off 3 would-be tacklers to score under the posts for the Colts on 18 minutes, converted by Lloyd White, and then two minutes later Josh Hannam out jumped Matt Mullholland to score in the corner, 14-0 to Colts.



At this stage Colts were running strongly and constantly punching holes in the Bramley defence, they were strong in the collision and off-loading at every opportunity.



Bramley had to drop-out twice from under their own posts as THE Crusaders continued to ask all the questions. From the second drop-out Bramley forced an error and Crusaders lost the ball, Bramley completed a good set of six tackles mid-way inside the Crusaders half and from the next set a Colts player was tackled into touch deep inside their own half. From the scrum, good passing along the line saw space created for Matt Mullholland to cross in the corned for his sixth try of the season on 28 minutes.

A Paul Drake touch-line conversion closed the gap to 14-6. Bramley started to get more ball now and make good metres going forward. The penalty count also started to swing back in Bramleys favour as the Crusaders were penalised on three successive occasions for infringements. From this position on 36 minutes Tony Williams took 2 tacklers with him as he crashed over from 20 metres. Another Drake conversion made the game very interesting at 14-12.

On the stroke of half-time Bramley surged forward again and it appeared any chance to score had been lost when a dipping pass to Paul Drake appeared to be knocked-on, however the referee saw no problem and Paul caught and chipped the ball through the on-rushing Crusaders defence in one movement. Graham Harrison scooted through the defence and grounded the ball before it went dead-in-goal. There was no conversion but Bramley went in at half-time leading 14-16 in a remarkable turn around. Field position and possession enabled Bramley to get back in the game and set up a thrilling second half.

Crusaders started the second half as they had started the first. Two silly penalties allowed the Colts good field position from which they forced another Buffaloes drop-out. A further penalty allowed Crusaders closer to the Bramley line and it was therefore no surprise when on 46 minutes Llloyd White scored under the posts and added the conversion himself.

From the re-start Crusaders knocked-on and straight from the scrum Shaun Flynn received the ball and his arcing run saw him out pace the home defence to score a sensational try in the corner. Paul Drake's second touchline conversion provided the perfect response, 20-22 to Bramley.

Four minutes later and it was Flynn again scoring in the opposite corner after another fine charge by the forwards, 20-26. Bramley were now forcing the Crusaders back and it was they who were struggling to get out of their half. On 58 minutes Paul Drake missed the opportunity to extend the lead further when his penalty following a throttle tackle, drifted wide.


The game ebbed and flowed, a series of penalties, unforced errors and the tension in the game all contributed to keeping the supporters totally engrossed in an absorbing game. The Crusaders continued to look a threat with ball in hand and they started to create opportunities again however an alleged ball-strip on Jon Elliker allowed Paul Drake to extend the lead to 20-28 on 73 minutes. If anyone thought the game was up nobody told the Colts as they then pounded the Buffaloes line for what felt like an age.

Lee Williams scored a scrambled try for the Crusaders on 76 minutes but only after another long conversion between lineman and referee. There was no conversion. The Crusaders continued to pour forward and it seemed only a matter of time before they scored again, however as always the Buffaloes scrambling defence was immense as the tackles flew in.
Bramley were unable to make much ground with the ball, however as has happened on previous occasions someone has put their hand up and made a big play, that man was the mighty John Elliker who some 8 minutes into added time drove through a hole in an equally tired Colts defence and from somewhere popped up an outrageous off-load to the ever supporting Tony Williams who crashed over under the posts for his eighth try of the season. Paul Drake converted as the referee blew for full-time.



A great game played by two very well matched teams and an outstanding result for the Buffaloes which ranks right up there with some of their best performances in the last 5 years. The Colts look a great team, a good bet to be close to the Grand Final place however Warrington may have something to sat about that yet.


The Bramley Buffaloes are next in Action at Bramley Phoenix, on Saturday, June 7 against Dewsbury Celtic.

Game star: Very difficult to say, Ben Flower, Aled James and Lloyd White all played very well for the Crusaders whilst Shaun Flynn, Tony Williams, on Nicholls and Graham Harrison got through a mountain of tackling for Bramley. Shaun Flynn for two very well taken tries in the second half.


Game breaker: The result was in the balance until deep into second half injury time so the run and off-load by John Elliker to enable Tony Williams to score was the difference.


Crusader Colts: 1 Elliot Kear, 2 Greg Callow, 3 Ceri Young, 4 Lee Williams, 5 Josh Hannam, 6 Lloyd White, 7 Aled James, 8 Geraint Davies, 9 Tom Burnell, 10 Philippe Gardent, 11 Ben Flower, 12 Mark Wool, 13 Chris Vitalini. Subs (all used) 14 Gil Dudson, 15 Barrie Philips, 16 Lewis Mills, 17 Ashley Griffiths

Tries: Kear (9), Williams (18 & 76), Hannam (20), White (46)
Goals: White 2/5

Bramley 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 Kevin Till, 10 Mark Butterill, 11 John Elliker, 12 Gareth Thirsk, 13 Jon Nicholls. Subs (all used) 14 Scott Pendlebury, 15 Graham Harrison, 16 Shaun Gilmour, 17 Steven Gill

Tries: Mullholland (28), Williams (36 & 80), Harrison (40), Flynn (48 & 52)
Goals: Drake 5/8

Men of the Match:

Crusader Colts - Lee Williams
Bramley Buffaloes - Shaun Flynn