Bramley welcomed back Shaun Gilmour from a shoulder injury, Neil Hesketh, Daniel Lavery and fresh out of mid-season retirement the ever popular second rower Danny O'Connor. John Richardson, Matt Mullholland and Danny Johnson were unavailable; whilst John Elliker's season is over as he recovers from ankle surgery and Shaun Flynn failed a late fitness test following an ankle injury picked up in the previous weeks England Lionhearts game.

Underbank meanwhile showed several changes from the team that beat East Lancashire Lions two weeks previous 102-2, the key losses probably being those of influential hooker John Birt to a thumb injury, Aaron Crabtree, Will Midgley and Matt Lodge. In mid-week Underbank had gone down 41-26 to Warrington Wizards at Wilderspool when by all accounts a victory was well within their capability, so they were going to be no easy opponents today.

In very warm and sunny conditions Bramley kicked off and both teams completed their respective first sets with ball in hand. Lee St Hilaire dealt comfortably with a Tony Williams cross field kick to diffuse it in goal on 3 minutes. Shaun Gilmour was prominent for Bramley with a couple of jinking runs to make good metres whilst Underbank through Darren Hawkyard were making ground down the middle of the field. On 10 minutes a head-high tackle resulted in a penalty to the visitors who opted to kick for goal from 40m, Flooks missed the kick. Four minutes later though some excellent handling, support play and broken field running allowed Rangers to post the first try of the game. Hawkyard was again involved as he created space down the right hand side then cut in field towards the posts, Buffaloes scrambling defence tried in vain to halt the offloads and but good handling saw Richard Flooks eventually score in the right hand corner. As the game approached the end of the first quarter Underbank were showing no ill effects of their mid week game were looking the more dangerous team.

Bramley crafted a couple of opportunities close to the Underbank line, Danny O'Connor was held up on his back over the line and a neat kick from skipper Jon Nicholls almost produced an opening, however Underbank's defence remained resolute. On 25 minutes Underbank again opened up the Bramley left hand side defence through Flooks and Burkinshaw when a great kick chase towards the Bramley posts saw the ball take a wicked bounce and agonisingly evade the on-rushing Rangers players and allow Danny O'Connor to smother the ball almost on his own line. Another try at that point would not have been against the run off play as Bramley appeared lethargic and flat in their overall play. Buffaloes Paul Drake was sin-binned on 29 minutes for punching whilst on the floor.

Underbank continued to press and were awarded another penalty on 32 minutes for another head-high tackle, however Matt Garside was unable to convert the penalty opportunity and the score remained 0-4 to Huddersfield Underbank Rangers. From the resultant drop out on the 20m line, quick thinking Tony Williams prodded the ball forward with all the Underbank team (and spectators) expecting a deep drop out. He was first to the ball after it had travelled 10m and strong running took him to the Rangers 30m line before he was hauled down. Two plays later and the 'super sub try scoring machine' that is Chris Gardner proved unstoppable from close range as he brought the scores level. Paul Coates missed the conversion.


Tony Williams run appeared to lift the whole team and the Buffaloes visibly stepped up a gear as they took the game to the visitors in the closing moments of the half. Paul Drake returned to the field in the final minute of the half and he made a telling contribution when after opting not to kick for goal but instead maintain pressure, Bramley ran the ball close to the Underbank line and Drake stabbed through a short kick behind the defence for Andy McGann to win the race for and touch down in the corner. Drake completed a mixed half by adding a wonderful touchline conversion. Half-time 10-4 to Bramley. Rangers second rower Carl Leach left the field with his shoulder heavily strapped at half-time, unfortunately to play no further part in the game as he went to hospital to have his shoulder checked out.

Underbank reorganised at half time but Bramley opened the second half applying pressure to the visitors line through Tony Williams kicks, however again Lee St Hilaire dealt with the threat well. Underbank however turned the ball over cheaply 20m out and only some excellent scrambling defence kept out the dangerous Daniel Caston out and then forced an error from Bramley.

The pressure finally told on 50 minutes when Williams shrugged off several would be tacklers to cross from 15m, Drake added the conversion. 8 minutes later after more Bramley possession, Caston slipped an excellent pass to McGann who crossed for his second. Paul Drake added the extras and as the hour mark approached it was 22-4 to Bramley.

Rangers had their first real foray of the second half into the Bramley half on 62 minutes and for the next 10 minutes or so they had plenty of possession and looked threatening at times, however further injuries to Sam Dalby and Ross White (which required a visit to A&E) made their task almost impossible. To their credit they never lay down and Mat Garside was only inches away from burrowing over the line.


Darren Hawkyard continually took the team forward and his weaving runs and off loads always had to be watched carefully. Paul Coates and Shaun Gilmour produced good runs and from from a scrum deep inside his own half Drake launched a long kick downfield which was very well covered by St Hilaire who was being run down by Graham Harrison and Andy McGann. Scott Pendlebury left the field mid way through the half with an eye injury and he played no further part in the game.


Bramley finally killed the game off on 77 minutes when Paul Drake crashed over following good work from Coates, he added the touchline conversion. A short kick from the re-start was very well taken by second rower Gareth Thirsk who caught the ball held off 2 tacklers and proceeded to sprint down the touchline, outpace the chasing pack and score a terrific individual try which was very reminiscent of the try he scored in the previous home game. Paul Drake added another touchline conversion to make the final score 34-4.


Huddersfield Underbank can count themselves somewhat unlucky to be in a period of 3 consecutive away games against the top 3 teams in the league. For the first 30 minutes of the game they were the better team and 'if' they had scored a second try when the bounce of the ball did not run for them then who knows what the outcome may have been. However, injuries seriously undermined their effort and in the end as they ran out of fit bodies. To their credit they never gave up and provided they can get some players fit and back on the park, they will prove difficult to beat as they have proved so far throughout this season. They remain in the top six with a game in hand on those teams around them so a play-off place remains very much alive, indeed 4th place has to be the target and should be well within there capabilities. Here's hoping all their players made a speedy return to the fray for the final push.



Bramley meanwhile continue to fight it out with Crusader Colts and Warrington Wizards for the top slots. The crucial games are 10 August, Bramley v Warrington Wizards, 17 August, Bramley v Crusader Colts and 24 August, Crusader Colts v Warrington Wizards. All to play for, and all the teams expect they are capable of finishing top. Bramley 'just' need to continue to do the things that have got them to this point and top spot is definitely achievable. Come along and watch some top quality rugby league on the 10 and 17 August and cheer the boys home! (or go to Underbank and cheer them on if you live near there!).

Next game for Bramley is at away at East Lancashire Lions, next Saturday, August 2, kick off 2.30 pm.

Next home game is Warrington Wizards on Sunday 10 August 2008, kick off 2.30 pm at Stanningley. Get along, bring several friends and see a cracking top of the table clash and wonderful entertainment for a just £4!!

BRAMLEY BUFFALOES: 1) Paul Coates, 2) Andy McGann, 3) Daniel Caston, 4) Paul Drake, 5) Shaun Gilmour, 6)Jon Nicholls, 7) Tony Williams, 8) Richard Leese, 9) Graham Harrison, 10) Mark Butterill, 11) Danny O'Connor, 12) Gareth Thirsk, 13) Scott Pendlebury, SUBS: 14) Neil Hesketh, 15) Steven Gill, 16) Daniel Lavery, 17) Chris Gardner
Tries; Gardner (35), McGann (39 & 58), Williams (50), Drake (77), Thirsk (79)
Goals: Drake 5/5, Coates 0/1


HUDDERSFIELD UNDERBANK RANGERS: 1) Brook York, 2) Richard Flooks, 3) Simon Burkinshaw, 4) Tom Senior, 5) Lee St Hilaire, 6) Darren Hawkyard, 7) Matt Garside, 8) Matt Stewart, 9) Chris Beal, 10) Ross White, 11) Napoleoni Vinaka, 12) Carl Leach, 13) Sam Dalby, 14) Chris Lodge, 15) Pete Williams, 16) Dave Valentine
Tries: Flooks (14),
Goals: Flooks 0/2, Garside 0/1

Sin binned: Drake (29) - Punching whilst on floor
Referee: Michael Hauge

Men of the Match:

Bramley Buffaloes - Mark Butterill
Huddersfield Underbank Rangers - Dave Valentine