Hunting Season: New Earswick All Blacks v Bramley Buffaloes – YML Trophy Rd 1: Saturday 29th March -
Match Report: NEAB v Bramley Buffaloes
Date: Saturday 29th March 2025
Venue: New Earswick Sports and Social Club
Hunting season:
New Earswick All Blacks welcomed back the Bramley Buffaloes to White Lane after the latter won promotion to the YML Division 2 at the conclusion of the 2024 season.
The stage was set in this round one Yorkshire trophy cup game as a good number of past players and local fans were in attendance to witness what would be a memorable afternoon for the All Blacks in their first competitive fixture of 2025.
Playing into a tough wind in the first half, the assumption would be that field position would be hard to come by for the All Blacks, but that wasn’t to be the case.
After giving away a penalty for being offside on the initial kick off to start the game and absorbing some early pressure, the All Blacks turned things around through good ball control, an excellent kicking game and a committed defensive line.
Alex Wilkins opened up the scoring down the left side, running a great line off half-back Liam Gargan, who took the ball to the line and played a neat short pass to Wilkins. The All Blacks continued challenging Bramley with the ball, making further in roads and earning good field position. It wasn’t long after and Wilkins crashed over for his second try of the game from close range off a short pass from hooker Connor Iddon.
Ben Gibson who had another impressive performance, put a dent into the Bramley defence with another strong carry from his own half. Hooker Connor Iddon jumped out next play breaking the line to be hauled down twenty metres out from the Bramley try-line. The next play saw influential half-back Liam Gargan take control running with the ball against a disrupted Buffaloes defensive line, dummy and score just before half-time for a well-deserved try. Stand-off Conor Calam amazingly converted all 3 tries kicking into a swirling wind.
Any concerns that the All Blacks would drop off in the second half were addressed early on as they continued to show an impressive level of intensity and connection in their defence that wouldn’t allow Bramley to play. But credit to the Buffaloes they stuck in there and it took until the midway point of the second half for the All Blacks to register their fourth try of the afternoon. A wonderful break from backrower Sean Malarkey on the halfway line created the try for replacement front rower James Leach who made an impact from the bench, to score under the posts after supporting Malarkey back on the inside.
An error from the Buffaloes shortly after provided great field position and opportunity again for the All Blacks to post further points. This time they did from a lovely sweeping move playing from right to left, going through the hands with good skill to put centre Iain Oakley away for a wonderful finish in the left-hand corner. The All Blacks continued their dominance in this fixture and rounded the afternoon in style with a second try from Gargan, after a neat grubber kick behind the line caught the Bramley back three out of position and Gargan won the race to touch down. Once again stand-off Conor Calam demonstrated precision from the boot nailing all three second half conversions to make it 6 from 6 this afternoon.
A comprehensive victory for the All Blacks as they produced a very professional, patient, and disciplined performance pleasing Head coach Paul Meilam. Preparation and attention now turns to the Yorkshire men’s league season opener against local rivals York Barbarians away at York St. John University Sports Park on Saturday the 5th of April.
All Blacks team: Lancashire, Coverdale, Oakley, Ritchie, Smith, Calam, Gargan, Hutchinson, Iddon, Morton, Malarkey, Wilkins, Gibson. Subs: Shaw, Leach, Telford, Parker
Man of the match: Ben Gibson
Half-time: 18-0
Tries:
Alex Wilkins x 2 – Sponsored by Neal Construction Ltd
Liam Gargan – Sponsored by All Blacks Old Boys Club
Conversions:
Conor Calam 3/3 – Sponsored by Yorkshire Scaffolding Services
Full-time: 36-0
Tries:
James Leach
Liam Gargan – Sponsored by All Blacks Old Boys Club
Iain Oakley
Conversions:
Conor Calam 3/3 – Sponsored by Yorkshire Scaffolding Services