Bramley, who were never behind, forged 22-14 in front with a 71st minute penalty from Shaun Flynn following a foul and looked set to avenge their defeat at Headingley Carnegie Stadium last September.

* Click here for more Bramley Buffaloes news and match reports.

But Lions hung in contention when Cliffton Richardson forced his way through some tired defence four minutes later, Danny Giles converting and then adding a last minute penalty for interference to leave matters all-square.

Both sides had newcomers on display and, after Giles had missed an opening shot at goal when the home markers were caught not square, Buffaloes debutant winger Tom T'Sang backed a fine run from John Elliker to cross, Flynn converting.

Lions had a try disallowed in the 19th minute for offside from a kick and from the next set Bramley increased their lead, Jon Nicholls crossing after an intricate passing move to make it 10-0.
Featherstone touchdowns either side of half narrowed the gap to two points as first Mark Tepper barrelled his way over five minutes before the break and equidistant after it, centre Byron Cooper was first to react to a well placed grubber.

Both conversions were missed and that looked costly when Scott Pendlebury secured a 40/20 and from the following set, returning Richard Leese who missed the Northern Rail Cup clash with Warrington, powered across, Flynn adding the extras.

Cooper was again on hand to make the most of an excellent cross field kick from Giles to bag his second score, Giles converting to bring it back to 14-12.

In the 57th minute strong running back rower Elliker crashed through the cover on an unstoppable charge from 25 metres out to give the hosts what seemed like a winning lead.

Fifteen minutes of torrid defence and no line breaches followed before Lions decisively hit back late on for a deserved draw.

Game star: Bramley's custodian Shaun Flynn was cool, calm and composed throughout at the back setting a fine lead for his team mates ahead of him.

Game breaker: Danny Giles' last minute penalty meant a deserved two points apiece at the end of a highly entertaining opening day clash.

BRAMLEY BUFFALOES:
Tries: T'Sang (9), Nicholls (20), Leese (50), Elliker (57)
Goals: Flynn 3

FEATHERSTONE LIONS:
Tries: Tepper (35), Cooper (45, 51), Richardson (75)
Goals: Giles 3

Half time: 10-4.

Referee: Craig Swanson.

Scoring sequence: 6-0, 10-0, 10-4, 10-8, 16-8, 16-14, 20-14, 22-14, 22-20, 22-22.