East Lancashire Lions 4
Bramley Buffaloes 82

The win ended their recent wobble, which had seen them lose two of their three previous matche.

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It also helped the club establish an eight point lead at the top of the league.

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Form winger Nicky Fontaine led the way with four touchdowns, skipper Jon Nicholls bagging a hat trick and Paul Drake missing only one shot at goal in a masterly kicking display.

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The Buffaloes posted their intentions as early as the first minute when the visitors got the ball back from the kick off after the Lions allowed the ball to go dead.

From the drop out, the ball was moved across the field to create the overlap, which enabled Craig Green to go in the corner, Drake off target for the only time with the conversion attempt.

The home side were struggling to get possession and the Buffaloes were in no mood to be generous and they extended their lead in the ninth minute when after a lovely diagonal run by man of the match Shaun Flynn opened up the defence for Fontaine to score his first.

Bramley were looking unstoppable and another defence splitting pass saw Fontaine in again soon after although the Lions cause was not helped by the concession of penalties.

Buffaloes capitalised with more good inter passing and offloading, enabling Robin Wilkes to take the score to 22-0 with only17 minutes gone.

East's were finding it hard to make any yardage and that was exacerbated in the 21st minute when they lost the ball in a one on one steal in their 20 metre line and a quick short pass saw Nicholls dart between the posts.

Within five minutes he had completed his treble, showing his versatility at scrum half in a fine performance.

At 40-0 inside 26 minutes, record books were being consulted and the Buffaloes added two further tries before the interval, both on the back of penalties, from Fontaine and Aidy Manley to bring up the half century by the break.

Lions' half time team talk seemed to have had an effect as there was greater ferocity in their tackle although a dropped ball saw Green repeat his feat of the first half with an early touchdown which Drake converted superbly from out wide.

Commendably, Lions stuck to their task and for the next 21 minutes they kept the Buffaloes at bay – Rob Russell outstanding - despite the home cause not being helped by a double sin binning for a high tackle and dissent leaving them with 11 men.

Buffaloes capitalised in the 66th minute when Fontaine got his fourth try but the hard work by the hosts in the second half was rewarded when Adam Hesketh darted from acting half back to score their only points.

The effect of spending the majority of the afternoon defending told on East's in the latter stages and Bramley pounced for three more tries in the last eight minutes from the excellent Flynn, Anthony Ward, and Simon Speight.

Game star: All the Buffaloes team played well, however Shaun Flynn was awarded the man-of-the-match for his non-stop display at full-back. Safe as houses at the back and continually made good metres with his broken play running. A constant threat.

Game breaker: As a contest the game was over as early as 11 minutes in when Bramley were already 16-0. The Buffaloes had already shown pace in attack, quick hands and more urgency and skill than their gallant opponents who never gave up.

East Lancashire Lions: 1. Ben Williamson, 2. Tyrone Quinn, 3. John Moore, 4. David Walls, 5. John Morley, 6. Barry Rothwell, 7. Adam Hesketh, 8. Mark Baggaley, 9. Ryan Lowe, 10. Warren Malloy, 11. Rob Russell, 12. Mark Fisher, 13. Adam NcNulty, Subs (all used) 14. Martin Fisher, 15. Stephen Speakman, 16. Thomas Gallagher, 17. Adam Wagstaff.
Tries: Hesketh (68)
Goals: Hesketh (0/1)

Bramley Buffaloes: 1. Shaun Flynn, 2. Nick Fontaine, 3. Matthew Booth, 4. Aidy Manley , 5. Craig Green, 6. John Nicholls, 7. Paul Drake, 8. Alex White, 9. Graham Harrison, 10. Chris Gardner, 11. Jim Shuttleworth, 12. Robin Wilkes, 13. Scott Pendlebury, Subs: 14. Andy McGann (not used), 15. Antony Ward, 16. Daniel Lavery, 17. Simon Speight.
Tries: Fontaine (9, 25, 29 & 66), Nicholls (11, 21 & 22), Green (1 & 46), Wilkes (17), Manley (35), Flynn (70), Ward (74), Speight (79)
Goals: Drake (13/14)

Sin-Binned: Rob Russell (Dissent), Martin Fisher(Head high tackle), both East Lancashire Lions on 60 minutes

Half-time:0-52
Final score: 4-82

Man of the Match:
East Lancashire Lions - Rob Russell
Bramley Buffaloes - Shaun Flynn