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The result sets up a thrilling final round of matches for the final week of the regular season.

Outstanding defence saw Bramley gain a vital 3 points and just as importantly deny their visitors a bonus point for the second time this season.

The table now shows Warrington Wizards top, one point clear of Bramley who in turn are one point better off than Crusader Colts.

The final round of games see Bramley travel to Dewsbury Celtic; whilst at the same time Crusader Colts entertain Warrington.

At this stage the top three is undecided, all options are on, so there is all to play for next week!

All the early pressure came from the visitors who constantly made good metres with their mobile forwards who looked to off-load at every opportunity.

On 5 minutes Andy McGann and Tony Williams combined to force Josh Hannan into touch when a score in the corner looked certain. All the Bramley players stood up to wave after wave of Colts attacks. Bramley had few opportunities to test the Colts defence but when they did they generally made good progress by attacking out wide on the left through Danny O'Connor, Matt Mullholland and John Richardson. On a rare Bramley attack Lloyd White was penalised for a needless flop and Paul Drake kicked the penalty, 2-0 to Bramley after 11 minutes. More Crusader pressure followed with only excellent scrambling goal line defence keeping them out. Jamie L'Anson continually made good metres, well supported by Lewis Fox, Lloyd White and Steve Williams. Bramley made good metres bringing the ball out of defence and Paul Drakes high kicks were causing a few problems as Bramley slowly wrestled back the initiative.

As the half drew to a close and with nothing between either team Bramley mounted another attack down the middle towards the Crusader posts, a penalty was given to Bramley and the quick thinking Graham Harrison took the tap penalty himself and darted over unopposed under the posts as the Colts players were getting organised. A great opportunist try, Paul Drake added the conversion. Straight from the kick off Crusaders found touch and ended the half on the attack. 8-0 to Bramley at the break was a great effort given that Crusaders probably had about 80 per cent possession and field position as well as a succession of penalties.

Crusader Colts were pulled back for a forward pass early in the second half as they looked to open up the Bramley defence down the middle. A series of knock-ons and mis-placed passes by both teams followed before Drake was just wide with a penalty on 44 minutes.

Five minutes later Tony Williams who had an outstanding kicking game chipped over the Crusader's defence on the 40m line and he and Shaun Flynn chased the kick. Full back Ashley Griffiths was just too late getting to the ball as Flynn kicked through and Williams was able to touch down by the posts, Paul Drake added the conversion to the delight of the Bramley fans. Graham Harrison was sin-binned on 55 minutes for ungentlemanly conduct, however aggressive tackling denied Crusaders any scoring opportunities whilst he was off the field.

Crusaders threw everything at the Bramley line and as their frustration grew so more enforced errors occurred. On at least 2 occasions Crusader Colts were camped on the Bramley line and received repeat sets as a result of penalties; however the Bramley defence held firm with some big hits being put in by Chris Gardner, Danny O'Connor, Paul Drake and Matt Mullholland.

The Buffaloes did make better metres in the second half as they were continually taken forward by good runs from Daniel Caston, John Richardson, Richard Leese and Mark Butterill.

Tony Williams time and again turned the Crusaders around with raking kicks as Bramley increased the pressure and forced the Crusaders to bring the ball away from their own 20m line. This pressure finally paid dividends on 72 minutes when slick cross field passing saw John Richardson squeeze in at the corner after a good inside pass from Mullholland. Paul Drakes conversion hit the post.

On 79 minutes Tony Williams dropped a field goal to take any chance of a bonus point away from the valiant Crusaders.

A wonderful performance from Bramley which ranks right up there with the best, and certainly on a par with the result earlier in the season against the Crusader Colts in Bridgend. Tremendous defence won the day and to nil an opposition who have never failed to score this season makes the effort all the more remarkable.

Paul Cook and his team rightly deserve the plaudits for a very controlled performance throughout. Crusader Colts are certainly a talented team and will bounce back from this reverse, they look a quality team with plenty of points in them.

Hopefully next week they can find just enough form to see off Warrington and do the Buffaloes a favour! Certainly after being top all season they will not want to finish outside the top 2 and have go through the play-off you would have thought?

Next up for Bramley is next Saturday, August 23, away at Dewsbury Celtic, kick off 2.30pm.

This game along with the Crusader Colts v Warrington Wizards game will determine where we finish in the league table. A win would see Bramley finish at worst second and possibly top if Colts beat the Wizards.

Play-offs commence weekend of 6/7 September 2008.

Game Breaker: Bramley's scrambling defence in last quarter frustrated all the Crusaders efforts which eventually resulted in John Richardson's late try to seal the game and deny the visitors a bonus point.

Game Star: From 1-17 Bramley's defence was outstanding and that was the star of the game.


BRAMLEY BUFFALOES: 1) Shaun Flynn, 2) Andy McGann, 3) Daniel Caston, 4) Matt Mullholland, 5) John Richardson, 6) Paul Drake, 7) Tony Williams, 8) Richard Leese, 9) Graham Harrison, 10) Mark Butterill, 11) Danny O'Connor, 12) Danny Johnson, 13) Jon Nicholls; Subs: (all used) 14) Thomas Webb, 15) Scott Pendlebury, 16) Shaun Gilmour, 17) Chris Gardner
Tries; Harrison (39), Williams (49); Richardson (72),
Goals: Drake 3/5,
Drop Goal: Williams (79)

CRUSADER COLTS: 1) Ashley Griffiths, 2) Josh Hannam, 3) Gary Williams, 4) Lee Williams, 5) Greg Callow, 6) Lloyd White, 7) Steve Williams, 8) Jamie I'Anson, 9) Tom Burndell, 10) Gil Dudson, 11) Dan Smith, 12) Lewis Fox, 13) Chris Vitalini; Subs: (all used) 14) Liam Williams,
15) Barrie Phillips, 16) Mark Wool, 17) Paul Emmannuelli


Sin binned: Graham Harrison (Bramley Buffaloes) – Ungentlemanly conduct
Referee: M Croft

Man of the Match (as chosen by the referee):

Bramley Buffaloes - John Richardson Crusader Colts - Lewis Fox.