The main early talking point was the inclusion of 2 new additions to the squad, Tony Williams from Bradford Dudley Hill and Caston a centre from Clayton.

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Paul Cook fresh from his holidays was back in charge again and there were a number of positional changes to the team also. On a warm sunny afternoon a large crowd had gathered for what promised to be a tight encounter.

In the first half Bramley played down Underbank's notorious slope. Underbank had first opportunity to post points when inside the first minute the Buffaloes were penalised for an alleged high tackle. Underbank failed to convert their chance, a miss that would become costly later on.

Bramley then attacked the Underbank line and only a lost ball by John Richardson with the line beckoning prevented the Buffaloes taking an early lead. For the next 10 -15 minutes neither side could make the decisive opening, both teams were tackling well and on the tight pitch there was little room to get around determined defences.

On 17 minutes however Tony Williams showed just what he could bring to the team as from 15m out his quick feet took him around 3 seemingly static defenders to score mid way between the post and corner flag. Shaun Flynn added the extras, 0-6 to Bramley.

Williams was slowly getting his kicking game going and on 22 minutes his accurate kick forced Lee St Hilaire to kick the ball dead. Nothing came from the resulting drop-out as both defences held sway.

On 30 minutes, Paul Drake playing at stand-off was despatched to the sin bin for 10 minutes for talking back to the referee. To their credit Underbank capitalised on Bramley being a man down as first Southwell crashed over on 33 minutes and then after a good passing move Lee St Hilaire crossed in the far corned. Neither try was converted and on 35 minutes it was 8-6 to Underbank.

As half-time approached Bramley had one last tilt at the Underbank line. Tony Williams again created space and found Dave Walker on his shoulder who crashed over under the posts from 5m out. Shaun Flynn again converted and at half-time it was 8-12 to Bramley but anybody's game.

Underbank started the second half badly by kicking the ball dead from the kick-off. Bramley then applied some concerted pressure as they controlled the ball better than at any other time in the game so far.

Two Shaun Flynn penalties in quick succession stretched the lead to 8 points. On 55 minutes Underbank got their hands on the ball for what felt like the first time in the half and they scored in the corner after a bizarre referring decision allowed Underbank to continue a move which to all players and supporters had come to a halt due to an Underbank lost ball. No conversion, 12- 16 to Bramley.

A Williams 40-20, no mean feat playing uphill at Underbank put Bramley back on the attack, however Underbank were on a roll and scored again on 63 minutes. This time the try was converted and Underbank had hit the front as the game entered the last quarter, 18-16.

However Bramley gathered themselves and man-of-the-match Williams marked his debut with his second try of the game on 69 minutes. Flynn again converted 18-24. On 73 minutes John Birt of Underbank was sin-binned for holding down in the tackle and talking back to the referee.

Bramley capitalised on 77 minutes when Underbank were short of numbers on their right-hand side as John Richardson got over in the corner. Shaun Flynn missed his only kick of the afternoon but he had managed 6/7.

Right on the whistle Southwell crashed over for a consolation try . Final score 24-28.

A good result against a determined Underbank team, who with their tight sloping pitch will cause a few sides problems. The main thing here was the result.

Coach Paul Cook paid tribute to the Underbank team's gutsy performance. He paid tribute to his assistant coach Mark Butterill who had guided the team to 3 wins out of 3 whilst he had been away and to Tony Williams for his outstanding display.

Bramley are in action next, on Saturday, May 17, against East Lancashire Lions, at the Arthur Miller Stadium, Kick off 2.30pm

Game star: Both sides acknowledged that the difference between the teams on the day had been Tony Williams whose speed and footwork was all that separated the teams.

Game breaker: Sin-binning of Underbank's John Birt created the space for John Richardson to score the decisive try to put Bramley 2 scores clear, or Underbank's lack of a goal kicker as they only kicked 2 from 6 attempts.

UNDERBANK RANGERS: 1 Pawson, 2 Littlewood, 3 Beal, 4 Senior, 5 St Hilaire, 6 Hawkyard, 7 Garside, 8 Southwell, 9 Birt, 10 Valentine, 11 Lodge, 12 Stewart, 13 York. Subs (all used) 14 Wilkinson, 15 White, 16 Dalby, 17 Leach

BRAMLEY BUFFALOES: 1 Shaun Flynn, 2 Tom Tsang, 3 Daniel Caston, 4 Andy McGann, 5 John Richardson, 6 Paul Drake, 7 Tony Williams, 8 Richard Leese, 9 Graham Harrison, 10 Mark Butterill, 11 Shaun Gilmour, 12 Danny Johnson, 13 Jon Nicholls. Subs (all used) 14 Thomas Webb, 15 Scott Pendlebury, 16 Steven Gill, 17 Dave Walker

Tries: Williams (17 & 69), Walker (39), Richardson (77)

Goals: Flynn 6/7

Men of the Match

Underbank Rangers - Matt Stewart.
Bramley Buffaloes - Tony Williams.