On a cold, wintry afternoon, the visitors – who have already faced the City Reds in a Carnegie Challenge Cup tie – got off to a bright start with them spending the early part of the game camped in the Bramley quarter.

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Buffaloes defended well until the sixth minute when a high cross field kick was mis-read by the home defence and Matt Taylor walked in unopposed, Chris Mellor converting.

Apart from two breaches of the Wizards' defence, first on the quarter hour when second rower Gareth Thirsk stormed over for an unconverted try and ten minutes later when Matt Mullholland broke through but was just hauled down short, both teams spent large periods of the first half camped in each other's 20 metre areas.

With defences on top, Warrington held a two point advantage at the break but the second half started much brighter for the Buffaloes, a typical barnstorming run from John Elliker bringing him a score and his side a lead they then held on to.

With little between the well-matched sides, it remained deadlocked until the 57th minute when evergreen home stand off Scott Pendlebury, dummied to his left and waltzed through the hole created for a fine solo score.

Shaun Flynn added his second conversion to open up a ten point Buffaloes lead.

A brief flare up in the 64th minute saw both sides reduced to 12 twelve men as Bramley's Mark Butterill and opposing hooker Steven Smythe were dispatched to the sin bin.

With seven minutes to go, the Buffaloes rounded off the scoring when winger Dave Walker powered over in the corner for an unconverted try.

Bramley coach Paul Cook commented, "That was a tough game for my boys, and we were pushed all the way by the Wizards, who are battled hardened after their Challenge Cup exploits."

"We played some good rugby today, despite the conditions and overall I'm very happy. Warrington will be looking to get revenge on us next weekend to seal a place in the quarter final."

The return game takes place at Wilderspool Stadium next Saturday, kick off 3.30pm

Game Star: Hard working Buffaloes loose forward Jon Nicholls kept his side edged ahead with his non-stop efforts.

Game Breaker: Dave Walker's try in the 73rd minute, killed any lingering hope that the Wizards had of narrowing the gap.

BRAMLEY BUFFALOES: Shaun Flynn, David Walker, Matt Mullholland, Shaun Gilmour, John Richardson, Scott Pendlebury, Bradley Asquith, Richard Leese, Graham Harrison, Mark Butterill, John Elliker, Gareth Thirsk, Jon Nicholls.
Subs (all used): Kevin O'Hare, Danny O'Connor, Neil Hesketh, Mark Neave.

Tries: Thirsk (15), Elliker (45), Pendlebury (57), Walker (73)
Goals: Flynn 2
Sin bin: Butterill (64 – fighting)

WARRINGTON WIZARDS: David Yii, Paul Wilson, Danny Shaw, Matt Taylor, Billy Sheen, Chris Mellor, Warren Ayres, Scott Davidson, Steven Smythe, Matt Clarke, Anthony Beckett, Andy Addison, Matt Wilson.
Subs (all used): Simon McEvoy, Luke Warsley, Mark Robinson, Jono Smith.

Try: Taylor (6)
Goal: Mellor
Sin bin: Smythe (64 – fighting)


Men of the match:
Jon Nicholls (Buffaloes)
David Yii (Wizards)

Half time: 4-6

Referee: T. Roby