Gladiators lose home opener

Report supplied by Colchester Gladiators
Images courtesy of John Singer

The Colchester Gladiators struggled in their season opener against the newly promoted Kent Exiles, as turnovers and poor field position cost the team dear.

The Gladiators' first drive of the day summed up the match as QB Curtis Bourke threw the first of five interceptions after driving to the Kent 14. Although tackling the interceptor on the one, an early opportunity had been wasted.

Chris Jackson powers through the Kent defense

The Exiles' offence however started fast and a couple of good runs took them into Gladiator territory. The running back should have been tackled in the back field but a couple of missed tackles enabled him to escape to the sideline, and he took off to the end zone, securing the Exiles' first points of the day. The two point pass attempt failed but Kent led 6-0.

Bourke threw his second interception which was returned to the Colchester two, but a penalty negated an apparent score before good defence held the opposing offence out for a turnover on downs.

The Gladiators gifted Kent another golden opportunity when a poor snap on a punt was downed on their own 13 and it took the Exiles just three plays to make up for their previous failure. A five yard touchdown pass was converted by a pass play for two more points to extend the lead to 14-0.

Another interception gave the Exiles good field position again but a great effort from Brendan Bignell forced a punt from which the Gladiators got back in the game.

A run dominated drive saw Chris Jackson pick up a couple of first downs before Casey Campbell scorched through the defence for a 38 yard score. A replayed two point pass failed but confidence was returning to the Gladiators, now just 6-14 down.

Alex Wright intercepts the Kent QB in his Senior debut

Neither team could move the ball for the remainder of the half as both sides turned the ball over twice, with the Gladiators throwing another pick and a fumble but Kent returning the favour as junior graduate Alex Wright, playing in his first senior game, picked off the Kent QB on consecutive drives to keep the half time score 14-6.

After the Gladiators had to punt the ball to start the second half, Bignell got the ball back for his team with an interception and the offence took the ball to the Kent 17. However a penalty pushed them back and they were forced to punt.

Brendan Bignell tackles a Kent running back

As the Colchester offence struggled, the defence was gaining turnovers of their own with first Joe Parsons recovering a fumble before Joe Stickings intercepted another Kent pass on his own one. But the quarter remained scoreless to set up what promised to be a tense finish.

Another Gladiators fumble was punished as the Exiles started a drive just 23 yards out. It took them just three plays to make the Gladiators pay as their American QB found a receiver in the end zone from 17 yards out to give them breathing space. The extra point was missed but the lead was now 20-6.

After another Colchester interception, Kent effectively sealed the game. Taking over on the Gladiators' 38, the running back broke through the defence on the first play, and raced through for the score. Bignell was the man again to block the extra point but the score was now 26-6.

With the Gladiators turning to the struggling passing game, Kent looked safe but Jim Gilchrist picked off a Kent pass to offer hope. However, four incompletions gave the ball back to the Exiles and they padded the score with another rushing touchdown, from 19 yards out.

Andrew Cairns runs the ball with assistance from Tom Burridge

The Gladiators continued to struggle to find receivers and didn't really threaten again to leave Kent running out winners by a comfortable looking score line of 32-6.

Head Coach Karl Bourke was disappointed with the execution of the plays and said: “Despite a solid pre-season, our timing was way off today, but I know we can play much better. Our defence made some nice plays but when you turn the ball over seven times and give a good team excellent field position, you're digging yourself a big hole. We have a few weeks to our next game so we will look at the film and practice, practice, practice, and ensure we put up a better showing than today.”

The Gladiators started out in similar fashion last year, losing heavily in their first game, throwing four interceptions and opened the season 0-2 before recovering to a solid 7-3 record, so this defeat does not mean the team will struggle this year. The absence of a pre-season game clearly hurt them again but they need to eliminate turnovers and work on the passing game if they want to turn the season around like they did 12 months ago.

With a four week gap between games before the long trip to Solent, there is plenty of time to put things right.

All Gladiators home games will be played at Colchester Rugby Club, Mill Road, Colchester, kick off 2.30pm.

Full details can be found through the Gladiators’ website at www.colchestergladiators.com

Oxford Saints christen new home with a win

Report supplied by Oxford Saints
Images courtesy of Gareth Brown Photography

On Sunday 10th April the Oxford Saints opened the 2016 season in front of a decent crowd with a 36-12 home win over the visiting Cornish Sharks.

Following a successful 2015 season in Division II Southern Football Conference West, the Saints made the playoff stage but fell in the quarter finals to the Sussex Thunder, who have since been promoted to Division I.

Competing in the same conference, the Saints will be looking for a deep playoff run and have made many improvements on and off the field in preparation.

Moving to Tilsley Park in Abingdon, the Saints have agreed terms to play all home games at this new venue which has been recently renovated and a 3G field added.

An addition to the squad is American servicemen Destin Maulding as quarterback, bringing experience from playing high school football in the USA. 

QB Destin Maulding  - by Gareth Brown

Matt Walsh, site manager for Tilsley Park was named the special guest and selected to perform the pre-game coin toss with the team captains.

Site Manager Matt Walsh tosses the coin - by Gareth Brown

1st Quarter

The Saints began with possession of the ball and made good progress with a strong performance from running back #24 Rob Johnson, picking up 25 yards on 3 carries.

On the 6th play of the drive, Oxford quarterback #14 Destin Maulding found the towering tight end #83 Richard Bloomer uncovered in the end zone and completed the pass for the score. This marked the opening touchdown of the season and Bloomer claimed the first score at the Saints new home.

Oxford's rookie kicker #80 Sam Fielden lined up for the extra point kick but the ball was not set in place in time and instead holder Ian Hiscock made the call to scramble with the ball and pitched it to Richard Bloomer who attempted to run it in to the left for a 2 point score. Just as he was being tackled, Bloomer successfully pitched the ball again to Sam Fielden on the outside, who ran it in for the 2 point score. 8-0 Oxford.

The Sharks hit back quickly with a deep pass from quarterback #14 Peter Carlin which was hauled in by his receiver, costing the Saints heavily and brought the Sharks within a few yards of the end zone. The play was reminiscent of when the two teams last met in 2015 and the Sharks went for the deep ball on the first play of the game, catching the Saints defenders off guard.

Peter Carlin sneaked the ball across the line on only the 3rd play of the drive to score the touchdown. Looking to even the score with a 2 point attempt, Carlin's pass was incomplete. 8-6 Oxford.

The Saints continued to look on good form with Destin Maulding showing his talent and speed as he led Oxford's offense towards the end zone again. Maulding took off on one play and ran the ball up the sideline for a 9 yard gain and then capped the drive off by running the ball into the end zone himself for a 13 yard touchdown.

Sam Fielden lined up for the extra point kick which was good, extending the lead to 15-6 for Oxford.

 

George Wright lands a big sack on the Sharks QB - by Gareth Brown

The Saints defense held strong on Cornwall's next drive with tackles from #99 George Wright and

#51 Sam Stancombe, bringing the ball carriers to the ground on back to back plays, forcing the visitors to punt the ball.

2nd Quarter

Maulding went to work on the next drive and completed a deep pass to tight end #6 Grant Tebb for a 21 yard gain, followed by a 19 yard pass to #83 Richard Bloomer who charged into the end zone for his second touchdown of the afternoon. Fielden kicked the extra point and the Saints went up 22-6.

Cornwall's Peter Carlin and his offense were beginning to move the ball on the ground with short but consistent gains. After picking up a first down, Oxford defender #52 Conor Whitehouse (later awarded Defense MVP) made an outstanding play and charged through Cornwall’s offensive line to deliver a big hit to the ground on the ball carrier, setting them back -5 yards. The Sharks attempted to recover the lost ground with another run attempt but were stopped by #48 Graeme Taylor, forcing another punt.

Conor Whitehouse lands a big hit on a Sharks runner - by Gareth Brown

Oxford's next drive saw this biggest pass play of the day with quarterback Destin Maulding throwing a perfect ball 42 yards downfield into the talented hands of Grant Tebb, hauling in the reception for a huge gain and to applause of the Saints sideline and spectators.

Running back #7 James Walter, selected for the GB National Team in the offseason, attempted to move the ball on the ground but the Sharks had already identified him as the key threat in the game and worked hard to minimise his impact.

A deep pass intended for Walter was contested in the air but fell incomplete, forcing the offense to punt the ball away for the first time.

Closing out the 2nd quarter, Whitehouse delivered another solid tackle for a loss of yards on the Sharks ball carrier, with teammate Sam Stancombe claiming three tackles on the same drive, allowing the Sharks offense minimal or no gains.

3rd Quarter

With the Sharks beginning the 2nd half with the ball, the Saints defense began to increase the pressure with #54 Dean Bryan and Stancombe stopping the ball carrier on the first play for no gain.

On the next play, linebacker #68 Calvin Holmes read the quarterback's movements and intercepted the pass from Carlin, racing it 35 yards into the end zone for a touchdown with thunderous cheers and applause from the fans.

Fielden remained on perfect form in his first regular season game and kicked the extra point.

The remainder of the 3rd quarter saw both teams unable to find the end zone but an improving Sharks defense, which managed to sack the nimble Maulding for an 8 yard loss and successfully kept the Oxford offense out of the end zone.

4th Quarter

The Saints defense continued to be formidable with tackles from Graeme Taylor, George Wright and tackles for loss of yards by Calvin Holmes and rookie #55, Eric Mendoza.

In the air, defender #3 Ian Hiscock broke up two pass attempts and prevented Carlin from connecting with his targeted receivers. George Wright delivered a punch with a sack on Carlin to end the drive, delivering the Sharks a -6 yards loss.

Later in the 4th quarter, the Sharks were in scoring distance after a stalled Saints drive turned over possession of the ball deep in their own territory. The ball was handed off to #21 Mark Womble who ran into the end zone from 15 yards out for a touchdown.

Womble attempted to run the ball in again for the 2 point conversion but was unsuccessful.

Grant Tebb in action - by Gareth Brown

The final drive for the Saints offense saw Walter and Tebb bearing the load with both players moving the ball well up the field. From 20 yards out, the ball was put in the capable hands of Walter who charged towards the end zone and easily out ran the Cornish defenders in pursuit, claiming his first touchdown at Tilsley Park.

Fielden kicked another successful extra point and the hosts ended the game with a 36-12 victory.

The next home game for Oxford is 24th April against conference favourites, the Bristol Apache. Full schedule and dates available here http://www.oxfordsaints.com/schedule/.

Game highlights

Nottingham Caesars Go Global for 2016

News Release by supplied by Nottingham Caesars

As the Nottingham Caesars American Football Club enter their 32nd consecutive year of competition, they are making some major changes off the field, as well as on it. 

Following this year’s league reshuffle by BAFANL, they will be competing in the new Midlands Division 1 against regular adversaries from recent years in the Birmingham Bulls and Doncaster Mustangs. Old rivalries against the Cambridgeshire Cats and Peterborough Saxons will be rekindled and we will also be testing our metal against new opponents in the Sandwell Steelers.  

2016 sees us move back into our spiritual home inside the athletics track at Harvey Hadden Stadium (in Bilborough, Notts.), following the completion of renovation work of the sports complex there. 

The Nottingham Caesars are building for the future. Their new media team have taken the bit between their teeth and accepted the challenge of increasing our visibility through our social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), our website (www.nottinghamcaesars.co.uk), which helped us achieve our biggest ever turnout (over 100 people) to the pre-Christmas taster sessions for new players. 

But perhaps most excitingly we are venturing into producing in another medium, the newly created CaesarsTV! The brainchild of former player Steve Matthews, CaesarsTV will be streaming our 5 regular season home games live. With his team of media whizzes and former players volunteering their time, we are looking at making the Caesars game day experience a special event whether you can attend the game in person or not. 

Caesars TV is looking to provide:

- Player and coach interviews, team news and live footage of the build up towards each home game in a live pre-game show.  - Full coverage of each home game at Harvey Hadden Stadium. - Full commentary of the game (with head ref mic’d up) - Post-game reactions. - An edited highlights package made available within days of the game. 

This also allows us to venture into the exciting world of being able to offer advertising through our media. We are actively seeking anyone who would be willing to work with us through sponsorship and advertising.

More details of packages can be produced on request via contacting Steve Matthews on 07900 597 099 or emailing: media@nottinghamcaesars.co.uk   

Knights handed tough opener after promotion to Premier

Article by Steve Rains - Farnham Knights

The Farnham Knights sponsored by Premier Prospects take their first step back into the Premier level of British American Football this Sunday at Mill Hill Rugby Club (KO 3-00pm)

It could not be much tougher than facing the perennial BritBowl Finalists and 5 time Champion London Blitz. The Blitz will be looking to set their third successive National Championship defeat to their cross town rival London Warriors behind them and the odds must be against the newly promoted Knights.

The Knights were one of the top teams in the country from 2001-2006 and then reappeared in the Premier level again from 2008 to 2012 - their 3 National Championship Final appearances were 2002, 2004 and 2005  they won the prize in 2004.

The last two seasons have seen the Knights step up a level and they won the Division 1 South Bowl last year to secure promotion back to the top flight.

The squad has maintained the base of players from last year with some notable additions from neighbouring teams, Surrey Universities successful college team and of course graduates from their own very successful Junior programme.

A key absentee however will be star Running Back Gareth Davies who ran for over 1600yds last season - it was discovered that he achieved that with a broken wrist and the rehab from the subsequent operation will see him miss the 2016 season.

Head Coach Steve Rains said "We are looking forward to being back in the top level which is where we believe the Knights belong. We know it’s going to be a significant challenge for us - but we have worked hard in pre-season to be ready for it. We will find out Sunday how far we have come on that journey"

The Knights are still looking for further sponsorship and have now added live internet streaming of all of their games (Data links permitting)  as an added attraction for potential backers.

Bury Saints open 2016 with resounding victory

Report supplied by Neil van Holland - Bury Saints
Images Courtesy of Hayden Marie Photography

The Bury Saints coming off a 2015 season in which they never lost a game and won the 2015 Rose Bowl with promotion to National League Div. 1 football continued that win streak with a 34-0 dismantling of the 2015 Semi-final opponents Sussex Thunder.

RB Tommy Ellerbee

After holding the high powered Sussex offense scoreless on their opening drive the Saints Offense took only 3 plays to drive 84 yards and score culminated by RB Cory Jenkins' 54 yard TD scamper. The point after was perfect by Rob Giles. 

The next few drives by both teams failed to secure points, however late in the 1st quarter the Bury Offense drove the field and finished off with a Fred Boyle run at the goaline to push the scoreline to 13-0. Pauly Bowers nailed the PAT to make it 14-0.

RB Cory Jenkins

A few more field position swaps and the Bury Offense once again made a drive midway through the 2nd quarter to the Sussex 9 yard line where Boyle passed to Don Washington for a Saints touchdown. Giles once again made the PAT and the score was 21-0 going into halftime.

Coming out of the half the field position battle ensued with Bury and Sussex trading punts. Bury on their 2nd possession after the intermission drove another 80 yards and capped it off with a 35 yard run by another new RB in Tommy Ellerbe. This time the PAT was blocked by Sussex so the scoreline stood at 27-0. 

The score stayed that way until late in the game when the Saints in a spirited final drive managed to get to the Sussex 12 and Boyle connected with Josh Marlow on a TD pass. Bowers made the final PAT finishing the scoring at 34-0. 

CB Dmont Herring

The Sussex Thunder could not get anything going all day and were held to 108 total yards combined through the air and on the ground, never getting into the Bury red zone. The Defense was responsible for intercepting the Sussex QB's 4 times with Dmont Herring, Troy Cockerill, and Rob Giles picking off the passes along with Jack Hewett. Herring also added a fumble recovery after a big gain for Sussex to stop a drive. Fabian Mitchell and the rest of the Def line had a standout game with Mitchell getting a sack to help seal the win. 

Bury Saints Interim Head Coach Christian Cantrill had tempered enthusiasm following the game: "Although we got a massive result against a team we needed 3 OT last year to beat, we have a lot to work on with the SFC1 Bowl finalists coming to town in 2 weeks. I can say I am very proud of the way my coordinators Neil Van Holland, Bobby Coffman and Jamie Nuttall prepared and executed a very precise gameplan to achieve the result. We have work on our hands with 9 more very tough games going forward with the Thrashers on the forefront of our preparations". 

WR's Ray Don Ellington (#18) and Axl Rodwell (#6) celegrate the 3rd TD

The Bury Saints are back in action on Sunday 24 April at Thetford Rugby Club Vs the last years SFC1 finalists Solent Thrashers. Kickoff is 2PM. 

Tigers slip past the Hurrricanes in low scoring opener

Report supplied by William Clark - Glasgow

Both teams and officials held a minutes applause in memory of Alan Wilson as the Tigers played their first competitive game since the former head coach and official sadly passed away last September.

The game started in bright sunshine and the defensive units were in fine form in this season opener at Dundee, not giving much way in yards at all. Tiger’s interceptions from first Scott McIntosh and then Nathan Brodie stopped any Dundee momentum, but the Glasgow side were unable to move the ball against a solid Dundee Defence.

In the second half both sides put some good drives together , the Tigers on the back of some nice Pete McNaughton runs , while Dundee had some long pass completions from QB Thomson. Glasgow’s Robb Renyi and James Lindsay also recorded interceptions to keep Dundee from scoring. Then Andy Currie grabbed a Dundee fumble for another Tigers turnover.

In the fourth quarter Tigers QB Paddy O’Donnell scrambled for 29 yards to set up a short Dean Jardine run for a touchdown. The Hurricanes stopped the conversion but the Tigers held a 6 – 0 lead. The Dundee response saw Thomson connect for a 30 yard pass completion to move his team up the field but a Mark Chalmers fumble recovery allowed the Tigers to take a knee and the win.

The Tigers next fixture is on the 24^th April when they travel to Northumberland.

2016 BAFA Rule Changes

Article by Roger Goodgroves

As excitement builds for the weekend’s kick off for the BAFA National League (BAFANL) it’s time to take a look at the rule changes that will impact clubs and players this year.  Plus read to the end to find out about our new “Ask the Ref” column.

Two things that often confuse both players and spectators watching UK games relate to differences they see between the NFL and the major US College games they watch on TV, so let me start by clearing up some of that confusion.

The NFL use their own specific rules that address the way the game is played at a professional level (faster, more capable, fitter and/or stronger).  Colleges and the UK (plus most countries that play football around the world) use variations of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rules.  These place player safety as a higher priority with penalties that are tougher or more strictly enforced.  For further differences, take a look at the Wikipedia comparison.

As a guideline, rules that are introduced in the NCAA in one year are usually integrated into the UK (and International) rules in the following year (with some variations to reflect local issues).

Now for what’s new for BAFA 2016.  This year doesn’t see very many changes over the rules in place for 2015 but there is one significant one that certainly may impact some players on the field and in their pockets and that is what is known as an Overbuilt Facemask.

Overbuilt Facemasks

There are a number of safety related reasons for the introduction of a ban on overbuilt facemasks which include the added weight which makes a player more likely to drop their head into a tackle, the increased probability of broken fingers caused by contact with the masks and the physiological impact that a larger cage has on players’ actions due to a false sense of security.

So what is an overbuilt facemask?  Here are some examples of overbuilt facemasks:

In comparison here are the examples of legal facemasks (both © BAFA):

So trying to put the difference into words, count the bars below the eye line, 3 OK; 5 overbuilt.  If there are 4 it is then a question of how many finger breaking close sets, 1 set is OK but not more.

Expect plenty of pre-game discussion before the first games this year as the officials from the British American Football Referees’ Association BAFRA who are in charge of enforcing the rules remind players who may not have thought they had an issue.

Pile Puling now Unsportsmanlike

The second major change that is introduced in 2016 is a change to the unsportsmanlike conduct rule that prohibits players from pushing or pulling opponents off a pile of players.  Unsportsmanlike penalties are very serious in football.  It’s like a yellow card in soccer.  Two unsportsmanlike penalties will result in the player ejecting himself.

Drones

No drones (unmanned aerial vehicle) may be used around the field.  If a drone violates the space, the Referee shall order the game stopped until the drone is removed.  If there are no stands or fences around the field, this extends within sight or sound of the playing field.

http://dronelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/drone_sports-300x234.jpg

Sideline Interference

Coaching staff or substitutes cannot encroach in the area within 6 feet of the sideline during play. This area is the officials working area and it needs to be clear so the officials can see the action near the sidelines clearly and so they aren’t put in danger or running into people when their attention is focused on the field.  The first offence will result in a warning and subsequent warnings will attract 5 yards (up to 2 warnings) and 15 yard penalties (any further warnings).  Any offence that obstructs an official (including an official who needs to change course to avoid somebody) will still be a 15-yard penalty.

Look on the bright side, in the NFL it’s not just a penalty, Steeler’s Mike Tomlin was fined $100,000 for this act of sideline interference:

To see an example of where safety becomes an issue take a look at this play.

Failure to wear mandatory equipment

This year instead of being a charged timeout, players will simply be sent off the field for at least a down until the equipment is made legal.  A team can “burn” a time-out in order to buy the player back in, however the equipment must be made legal for a player to resume.  Equipment violations are normally items like gum shields but could include the new issue of overbuilt facemasks.

Team Changing Facilities

Changing rooms have now become subject to the rules.  If the two teams' changing rooms are not of similar quality, the visiting team must be offered the better facilities!

Blind-Side Blocks and Targeting

Definitions for Blind-Side blocks have been included to aide in the protection of defenseless players from “targeting”.  If a player is not in a position to see a block coming, then he is defenseless and forcible hits to the head and neck area will fall under the targeting rules.

To be clear, targeting is not the deliberate taking aim at a player.  It is the forcible hit to the head and neck area of a defenseless player or the lowering of the head to hit any part of the body with the crown of the helmet.  This was known as spearing in the past.

Targeting involves an automatic disqualification.  Other examples of defenseless players are QBs who have just thrown the ball and receivers in the process of catching a pass.

Here’s a good example of Blind-Side block that includes targeting:

ASK THE REF

Now it’s your turn.  Are there rules you’ve not fully understood or situations that baffle you in a game?  These don’t need to be complex rules interpretations, they could just be things like “Why does that official have a black band around his fingers?”, “Why does he hold his arm out or up at certain times in the play?” or “Why are there five officials and are they all watching the same thing?”

Email your questions to asktheref@ukfirstdown.co.uk and we will feature them in our brand new “Ask the Ref” column.  You can even choose to be anonymous if you prefer.