Three late tries put a harsh look on the scoreline as South London Storm, missing a dozen regulars, lost 44-16 at Rugby League Conference national champions Bramley Buffaloes in the National Express Challenge in Leeds on Sunday.

Storm took a seventh-minute lead with a try from big prop Adam Tran with Matty O’Shea adding the conversion.

But, after South London had Partarta Ainsley sin-binned for throwing a punch, Buffaloes took advantage with a 19th-minute try from Tony Williams.

Then Paul Drake scored under the posts and added the conversion himself to give Bramley a 10-6 lead after 21 minutes.

The hosts went further ahead when John Elliker scored a terrific try on the half hour, breaking through two tackles to score by the posts.

Storm responded when debutant Dujon Thompson crashed through the Bramley defence to score with his first touch of the ball.

The second half was scrappy, but Bramley’s Danny Johnson went through a big gap in the 42nd minute for a good try.

Storm responded again eight minutes later when Tran grabbed his second try after good approach work. O’Shea missed the conversion and Storm trailed 20-16.

Bramleys Paul Drake was shown a straight red card on 57 minutes for a high tackle, but South London were unable to make the extra man count.

Elliker crashed over for his second try for the hosts, which Williams easily converted.

And, from that point on, Bramley began to dominate and they scored three converted tries in the final 10 minutes as Storm tired.

Storm play in the London Nines this Sunday.

South London Storm: 1. Chris True, 2. Andrew Vernon, 3. Chris Beavan, 4. Tom Pryor, 5. Matt Stringer, 6. Lee McCarthy, 7. Matty O’Shea, 8. Adam Tran, 9. Luke Bonnor, 10. Parata Ainsley, 11. Matt Smith, 12. Brett Thompson, 13. Dave Brennan. Subs: 14. Phil Browne, 15. Eric Stewart, 16. Dujon Thompson, 17. Jeremy Benson, 18. Adam Hargrave, 19. Tom Rogers.

Tries: Tran (8 & 50), Thompson (37)