There was little to choose between the sides for much of an absorbing clash where defences tended to dominate. Bramley's ability to make the most of the few clear cut chances on offer made the ultimate difference.

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Buffaloes welcomed back Paul Drake and his influence off the bench also proved to be a decisive factor, while centre Andy McGann took his two tries well and Shaun Gilmour was always involved.

Bramley made an impressive start, going ten points up in as many minutes, Gilmour weaving past three defenders on an arcing run from 40 metres to open the scoring.

Liverpool's initial thrust was quelled and John Richardson's relieving run put the Buffaloes back in a threatening position, from which quick hands across the line allowed McGann to race over out wide from 20 metres.

Richardson and Jon Chamberlain then spent ten minutes in the sinbin after an altercation at the play the ball as some fluency went out of the contest.

Buccaneers got back into it in the 20th minute, making the most of lost possession by the hosts in their own quarter, Darren Forshaw scampering over from close in.

Bramley responded on their next concerted attack, Danny Johnson weaving his way over and Shaun Flynn adding his second conversion, but Liverpool showed their best expansive skills to reply on the half hour.
James Lacey's promptings set the ball rolling and a speculative kick on the last tackle saw the trailing Ben Toleman gather by the posts to touch down, Jamie Hammon again adding the extras.

Buffaloes' ability to immediately turn round a set back was again evident when hooker Graham Harrison saw a gap from dummy half and exploited it to maximum advantage.

Liverpool ended the half on the front foot after another fine drive from prop Alex Williams but, crucially, could not turn their possession into points and Richardson and Gilmour's swift interplay just failed to being a try at the other end.

Drake's shimmy and dart created the first chance of the second period and good work from tireless captain Jon Nicholls and the ever willing Richardson resulted in McGann scooting clear to go over in the corner for his second unconverted try.

For the next 20 minutes, defences dominated and spilt possession undermined the sides attacking forays; Bramley's victory was assured in the best play of the day.

Drake put a lovely short kick behind the Buccaneers defence and the ball was collected by Nicholls who exchanged passes with Richardson before scampering in by the posts.

Game Breaker: Try by Andy McGann on 51 minutes to put the Buffaloes 3 scores ahead. LB never looked likey to post that many points.

Game Star: Shawn Gilmour always looked dangerous with ball in hand and was aggressive in defence.

Teams:

BRAMLEY BUFFALOES: 1, Shaun Flynn, 2, John Richardson, 3, Matt Mullholland, 4, Andy McGann, 5, Dave Walker, 6, Jon Nicholls, 7, Kevin O'Hare, 8, Richard Leese, 9, Graham Harrison, 10, Gareth Thirsk, 11, Shaun Gilmour, 12, Danny Johnson, 13, Scott Pendlebury, Subs: 14, Mark Butterill, 15, Paul Drake, 16, Steven Gill, 17, Daniel Lavery

Tries: Gilmour (6), McGann (12, 51), Johnson, (24), Harrison (33), Nicholls (72)
Goals: Flynn 4

LIVERPOOL BUCCANEERS: 1, Jamie Hammond, 2, Ben Toleman, 3, Darren Forshaw, 4, Ian Stanley, 5, Rich Bryant, 6, Steve Brown, 7, James Lacey, 8, Alex Williams, 9, Shaun Bishop, 10, Luke Murphin, 11, Kev Cunningham, 12, Mark Webster, 13, Jon Chamberlain, SUBS, 14, Scott Porteus, 15, Ciaran Cunningham, 16, Joel Parker, 17, Chris Chamberlain
Tries: Forshaw (20), Toleman (30)
Goals: Hammond 2

Men of the Match:
Bramley Buffaloes – Shaun Gilmour
Liverpool Buccaneers – James Lacey.