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SPEIGHT LOOKING FOR IMPROVEMENT!



Bramley Buffaloes second row Simon Speight is once again catching the eye this season with a string of consistent performances but he freely admits that the side has yet to reach top gear.

“We’ve not started off that well despite winning our opening four league games,” explained the 25-year-old Bradford-born forward.

“It’s a real joy playing with this bunch of lads because we really are like a family,” added Simon who spent five years at Salford City Reds and has also had a two year spell at Mount Pleasant with Batley Bulldogs.

He first picked up a rugby ball at the age of four with Wibsey Juniors and describes his career highlights as signing his first professional contract with Salford as well as last season’s Grand Final victory over Huddersfield Rangers.

Voted Bramley’s Player of the Year last season, Simon is keen to pay tribute to the Buffaloes supporters: “They are fantastic! They follow us everywhere and it’s great to hear them singing at home games. They help to make this a very special club indeed.”

Turning his attention to tonight's home clash with Kippax Knights (kick-off 8pm), Simon is keen to get it in perspective: “We know they’ve been making big noises about beating us but I see it as just another game. We are looking beyond it and are all focused on repeating last year’s triumph.

“It will no doubt be a feisty match but we have nothing to fear as long as we get into our stride.

“I was impressed with Nottingham last week and expect to see Huddersfield Underbank doing well again and I’m sure other challengers will emerge as the season progresses,” added Simon who works as a trainer with the NHS.

Buffaloes coach Mark Butterill was keen to heap praise on Speight: “He’s done us proud over the last season or so and he’s hitting form again. He never fails to give 100% and that’s exactly what we’ll need against Kippax on Friday night.”

Pity about the result but hope otherwise it was a good evening.

Nah the best team won the game. it was as simple as that, we played dumb football and deserved too loose.

Was a cracking night though. big crowd and that.

Friday nights, i like.

Not sure how we'd have gone had there been any super-league on in Yorkshire last night, but that was good planning on my part

Bramley Match Report -

KNIGHTS DESERVEDLY TAKE DERBY HONOURS
[iby Andy Coldrick [/i

Bramley Buffaloes 12 (0) v Kippax Knights 17 (14)

In front of a bumper Friday night crowd at Stanningley, Kippax Knights deservedly took the honours in a hard fought by error strewn game against Bramley Buffaloes. Leading 0-14 at the break the Knights held off the Buffaloes late charge to become the first team since Warrington Wizards in August 2008 to win at Stanningley.

Both teams had minor changes from the weekend, the Buffaloes welcomed back Andy McGann for his first full start of the season after recovering from injury, Matthew Booth replaced then injured Jon Nicholls and Paul Gledhill was again on the bench. Kippax made some positional changes with Andy Tillett moving from the centre to stand off, Chris Redfearn in turn moved to scrum half whilst Gav Adkin moved to hooker, otherwise both teams had decent sides out.

Kippax put points on the board within the opening minutes thanks to some poor Buffaloes play. Firstly a needless scrum was conceded by Bramley with Kippax head and ball, from which a then needless penalty was conceded on the last tackle to give Kippax an excellent attacking position 10m out. They needed no second invitation as livewire Gav Adkin dived over for a try from close range and added the conversion himself. Good work followed from the Kippax forwards who made good metres going forward, particular mention to Craig Jones who had a couple of excellent drives. Further Buffaloes ill discipline saw Adkin add a penalty on 10 minutes. The Buffaloes forwards struggled to make an impression on some solid Knights defence, in an effort to create an opening Tony Williams chipped over the Kippax defensive line, unfortunately he did not get enough elevation on his chip and Adkin gratefully caught the ball and raced 50m to touch down in the left hand corner. Adkins touchline conversion came back off the post. This try visibly lifted Kippax and they produced more enterprising play on the back of a repeat set and further penalties. Despite ill discipline, poor ball control and decision making, the Buffaloes prevented any further scores as they sought to weather the Knights play. On 31 minutes Redfearn was sin binned for Kippax after an altercation; however this did not prevent them from stretching their lead further prior to the break when Tillett kicked an easy penalty after missing an earlier attempt.

The Buffaloes opened the second half in a much more positive mood. Kippax fumbled the kick off and the Buffaloes took their opportunity when Danny Johnson spun over by the posts to reduce the deficit, Drake converted. The noisy crowd added to the atmosphere as they sensed a Buffaloes fight-back. Only excellent cover tackling denied John Richardson a try on 45 minutes, bundling him into touch. Kippax responded through the excellent prompting of Tillett, Redfearn and Adkin and had a try ruled out on 47 minutes for a double movement. The Kippax forwards worked tirelessly all night and they continually got over the advantage line with some strong runs, from one such effort a try went begging as a result of a knock on after 50 minutes. The early Buffaloes momentum seemed dissipate as they looked to force passes and build some pressure. Unfortunately for the Buffaloes they were unable to do so as many of the failings of the first half re-appeared and when they did get into a reasonable position either their attacking kicks were excellently dealt with, or, they gave away needless penalties and allowed Kippax to come off their own line. Andy McGann created a great opening on 60 minutes however his terrific inside pass with the line beckoning wet to ground. Knowles was sin-binned for the Knights shortly afterwards. Kippax showed their composure when under no pressure Adkin coolly slotted over a drop goal on 67 minutes followed by another penalty on 69, 6-17. The Buffaloes though showed why they are hard to beat when they responded with a superb one handed touchdown from winger Richardson who was under all sorts of pressure on 747 minutes. Drake’s effortless touchline conversion closed the gap to just 5 points with as many minutes remaining. That was the last of the scoring though. Bramley sought to create an opening in the final minutes but as so often had happened through out the game, the options they choose were either easily dealt with by the Kippax defence on the ball went to ground.

Kippax were deserved winners, their defence was strong and they were composed in attack. They took their opportunities and limited the Buffaloes in their options. By comparison the Buffaloes were again disappointing coming after an indifferent showing against Nottingham the week before. We seem to lack cohesion, particularly when we have the ball. The defence remains as solid as ever, still probably the best in the league; however as an attacking unit we seem down on confidence, leading to some poor plays and decision making collectively. Whatever we feel about the standards of refereeing or their lack of consistency, another 2Game star Any one from Tillett, Redfearn or Adkin.

Game breaker No one play by either team comes to mind. Kippax played a more conservative game and took their chances, whilst the Buffaloes failed to control the ball and turned possession over too often and gave too many penalties away. We did create some openings but failed to take them.

Bramley Buffaloes 1. Andy McGann, 2. John Richardson, 3. Matt Mullholland, 4. Dan Caston, 5. Craig Green, 6. Paul Drake, 7. Tony Williams, 8. Danny Mitchell, 9. Richard Hulme, 10. Simon Speight, 11.John Elliker, 12. Danny Johnson, 13. Matthew Booth, SubsKippax Knights 1. Chris Hall, 2. Danny Gill, 3. Steve Scott, 4. James Woods, 5. Wayne Little, 6. Andy Tillett, 7. Chris Redfearn, 8. Craig Jones, 9. Gav Adkin, 10. Andy Walter, 11. Chris Knowles, 12. Dave Jessey, 13. Mark Holmes, SubsMan of the Match
Bramley BuffaloesNext game

Forgive me if i missed it as its hard to
read threads on an iphone! But what kind of crowd
was on?

there was around 450-500 in.