BUFFALOES PUSH STAGS ALL THE WAY
by Andy Coldrick

BRAMLEY BUFFALOES (12) 12 Vs HEMEL STAGS (10) 30

The curtain came down on the regular league season for the Buffaloes at the Arthur Miller Stadium, the hosts pushing play-off bound Stags all the way. The Buffaloes deservedly led at the break but after a half-time talk from Troy Perkins, Stags controlled much of the second half and led by man-of-the-match hooker Martyn Smith scored 20 unanswered points to seal victory.

Neither team had anything to gain in terms of league position, however, after a week off the Stags no doubt had one eye on their mouth watering game against the Valley Cougars in the first round of the play-off’s in a week’s time. The Stags fielded a strong line–up which injuries permitting, could be close to their 17 for next week. In contrast the Buffaloes team showed a host of changes from their last game against Kippax Knights with Matt Collins was on debut.


There was nothing between the teams in the opening exchanges, both sides completed their sets, tried to gain good field position and then defend effectively. The opening score came on five minutes when Buffaloes scrum half Liam Walsh chipped over the on-rushing Stags defence on half-way and beat Swindells to the bouncing ball and raced 40 metres to score a great try between the posts, great reward for his efforts this season. Stags almost scored from the restart as they re-gained possession, however they overplayed the passing out and turned possession over. Hemel enjoyed a period of sustained pressure close to the Buffaloes line, Eddie M’Baraga and Christian Champion always posed a threat on the left wing and from one such foray they forced Jason Dodds to kick the ball dead for a drop-out.

Despite spurning a couple of good opportunities, Stags drew level on 19 minutes when M’Baraga squeezed over in the corner, Ryan Butcher kicking an excellent touchline conversion. Hemel were guilty of losing possession early in the tackle count from the restart and the confident Buffaloes put the ball through several pairs of hands before Vaughan Walsh crossed in the corner for a good score. Illija Radan and Matt Collins were both sin binned on 28 minutes following a dust up but the Buffaloes kept their composure and continued to defend well as Jason Price, Swindells, Butcher and Smith prompted more Stags attacks.

Following two successive penalties M’Baraga crossed again in the corner as quick hands saw the Buffaloes run out of defenders. Butcher pulled his conversion wide and the scores were level at 10-10. Harrison edged the Buffaloes into a surprise but well deserved lead just minutes before half-time when he landed a penalty from half way. The challenge at the break was for the Hemel to lift their performance and turn their possession into points, whilst for the Buffaloes it was to build upon one of their best first half displays of the season. Smith signalled his intent and his quality as he went perilously close to scoring on 44 minutes, only more fine scrambling defence kept him out.

Stags were dominating possession now and controlling the game and on 49 minutes Smith left the Bramley defence in tatters as he shimmied and weaved his way through on half way and raced clear to score, Butcher converting to edge the Stags in front 12-16. Hemel increased their lead on 54 minutes as Swindells swept over from a scrum 20 metres out.

The Buffaloes refused to fold despite having Graham Nash sin binned for a high shot. Nathan Lumb, Dave Parker, Harrison and Dodd in particular were all working hard both in defence and attack. Hemel sensed that the Buffaloes were there for the kill and continued to dictate play and Fyson crossed for the Stags fifth try on 71 minutes which sealed the game. Butcher converted and then added a further penalty as the clock ran down. Buffaloes Head Coach Chris Gardner can be very well pleased with his team’s efforts, which was one of their best performances of the season. It was encouraging to finish a difficult season on a positive note.


Game Breaker: BJ Swindells try on 54 minutes closely followed by Graham Nash’s sin binning proved too great a mountain for a gallant Buffaloes team to climb.


BUFFALOES: 1) Jason Dodd, 2) Reece Spurr, 3) Ian Fox, 4) Ash Taylor, 5) Vaughan Walsh, 6) James Fox, 7) Liam Walsh, 8 ) Nathan Lumb, 9) Graham Harrison, 10) Matt Collins, 11) Graham Nash, 12) Benoit Rogers, 13) Craig Green, Subs (all used); 14) Phil Headley, 15) Daz Greenwood, 16) Ross Peel, 17) Dave Parker

Tries: L. Walsh (5), V. Walsh (23)
Goals: Harrison 2

STAGS: 1) BJ Swindells, 2) Yusuf Lawal, 3) Eddie M’Baraga, 4) Mitch Henderson, 5) Christian Champion, 6) Jason Price, 7) Ryan Butcher, 8 ) James Howlett, 9) Martyn Smith, 10) Guy Aldam, 11) Seb Ward, 12) Tim Stevens, 13) Tim Thompson-Essex, Subs (all used); 14) Jamie Goss, 15) Illija Radan, 16) Ashley Fyson, 17) Max Edwards

Tries: M’Baraga (19, 35), Smith (49), Swindells (54), Fyson (71)
Goals: Butcher 5
Men of the match:
BUFFALOES – Graham Harrison
STAGS – Martyn Smith

Half time: 12-10
Referee: Gareth Evans
Sin Binned; Matt Collins (Buffaloes), Illija Radan (Stags) - 28 minutes; Graham Nash (Buffaloes) – 58 minutes.