Cold and wet but passing record still falls
On SuperBowl Sunday the bad weather experienced across the country lead to several games being called off from the BCAFL Week 9 fixtures.Six out of the twelve games did go ahead but those that suffered were: Glasgow @ Caledonian; Loughborough @ UT; Leicester @ Essex; UEA @ Hertfordshire; and Cardiff @ Bristol. Staffordshire @ UCH had been previously rearranged for Week 12
However the cold weather could not stop Birmingham Lions QB Stuart Ennis from breaking the single season TD passing record. Against Bath last week the record was tied at 23 but with 3 further TD passes in the victory over Warwick it was exceeded with still one game left in the regular season.
Warwick Wolves 13 - 26 Birmingham Lions
In a tense division-decider, the Birmingham Lions ran out 26-13 winners over the Warwick Wolves. The Lions take the South Central Division title and move to 7-0 and now seek home-field advantage through the playoffs. The game kicked off with Birmingham receiving and began with both Wolves and Lions being solid in defence. On Offense Warwick's running game was working well and the Lions passing options were stretching Warwick’s D allowing Birmingham’s RB Jay Alexander to pick up yards on the ground. QB Ennis threw a 17yd TD pass to rookie TE Ben Parkes in the first quarter and Dave Winter tacked on the PAT. Early in the second Warwick's Robin Carter ran in a 2yd TD before Ennis hit Parkes again for a 10yd TD to finish off the scoring for the half.
The third quarter saw only RB Alexander get on the scorecard with an 18yd run. As the final quarter opened Ennis threw a 25yd TD pass to WR Lee Rubin with Winter again adding the PAT. Carter ran in another TD for Warwick and Adam O’Reilly converted to give a final score of 26 – 13 in Birmingham’s favour.
Lancaster Bombers 0 - 6 Leeds Celtics
The Bombers rolled into Leeds for this War of the Roses Clash needing a win to try and stay in play-off contention. The game was a defensive battle with both offenses struggling, and the Celtics giving away a lot of penalty yards throughout the game. The Defenses held strong throughout regulation time and neither offense could convert field position into points.
In a tense 4th quarter the Bombers had an opportunity to win the game via a FG but a penalty moved them back and Chris Maynes 40 yard effort fell agonisingly short to usher in OT. Gary Armstrong took an excellent 55yd reception to the 3 yardline. The Celtics moved to the 1 yardline though ed morgan on a lead play, and then QB Alex Fisher took it over on the sneak for the winning score.
Oxford Cavaliers 6 - 33 Southampton Stags
Before the game even started it was receiving attention from local media. Former Saint Mark Dennis delivered the coin toss and then the daysparticipants got ready to commence battle. Oxford started off well in the first quarter stalling the Stags first drive and on their first drive RB Chris Gage ran in a 6yd TD to open the scoring. The Oxford defence held firm and shut out Southampton’s efforts in the first quarter. Southampton opened their scoring in the second quarter with a 48yd punt return by Ben Webb, who also kicked the PAT.
In the second half the Stags used the run and pass to edge their way downthe field, with Jeremy Gee scoring on a 2yd pass reception with Webb adding the PAT. Oxford resisted the Stags attack and launched drives of their own, taking to the air for some good completions but were unable to get any where with the run or the scoreboard. It was a duo of rookie RBs that were to prove the deciding factor for Southampton in the fourth quarter. Matt Waghorn took it in for 6 from 6 yards out and Sam Ohemeng took his large frame and the ball 60 yards for his first ever TD, in his first game. Ohemeng also added a 7yd TD run for a very successful debut, with Webb again adding the PAT.
Newcastle Raiders 31 - 0 Derby Braves
Newcastle began well, holding Derby’s strong running game from the off. The revamped Dline worked well to keep the pressure upon the Derby QB Luke Smith. However the Newcastle LBs were clearly rusty after the break, with Tom Evans and Jon Rooney both missing early chances for picks. The Newcastle offense finally showed some of its potential putting up some good numbers on the ground and through the air. Stu Robson working diligently all game at FB, allowed TB Rob Lochrie to have a career day, rushing for 137yds and a TD, Robson also crossed the line for a TD.
Newcastle's other scores came from TD passes from QB Tom Bouch to Rich Green and Tom Henniker-Major of 25 and 35 yards respectively, and a 70yd interception return by Charlie Heathcote in the fourth quarter. Despite some good work by the Derby O in the second half, notably a 50yd run by running back Michael Sobanjo, they couldn't get on to the scoreboard.
Tarannau Aberystwyth 16 - 0 Reading Knights
On adull and cold afternoon in Reading the Knights and Tarannau Aberystwyth met for the first time this season. The opening quarter was a close fought affair, tough defense and offenses finding their feet lead to the punting units being called upon The seond saw Aber get on the scoreboard following an interception returned to the Knights 5 yardline, after a couple of stops Aber's Conley Browne broke through from 2 yards and a 2PAT was added.
The Knights were being pushed back by Aber D and the pressure paid off as their QB was sacked for a safety by Anthony Mulira. The resulting restart after the safety was returned to the Knights 4 yardline and Tom Owen added the final score on a 4yd run.
Plymouth Blitz 6 - 0 Brighton Tsunami
The game started with both offences struggling to move the ball. An exchange of punts, varying in quality kept the field position battle very much even. The Blitz, armed with great field position began a drive to the Brighton Endzone, however Brighton’s Defence held firm. With the ball on the Brighton 2 yardline, Tsunami's Dline stopped the Blitz from advancing and Linebacker Eber Kington sacked the Plymouth Quarterback on Fourth down to win the ball back for the Tsunami. Unfortunately, on the next Tsunami Drive the ball was fumbled and the Blitz got the ball back on the Brighton 20 yardline with less than a minute to go in the half.
The Tsunami couldn’t stop the Blitz this time and Fred Walker took a great catch in the endzone to give the Blitz the lead. The extra point was no good and the Blitz led 6-0 at the half.The second half was much the same as the first with both defences playing well and stopping the offensives from moving the ball. Punts were exchanged and The battle for field position ensued. Brighton had a chance to score in the fourth quarter but were again stopped on Fourth down by Plymouth defence.The game ended with a huge drive from Plymouth, but they were unable to finish of the drive.
Hopefully next weeks schedule will not be as adversly affected. Details of games and standings can be found on ww.bcafl.org
10 Feb, 04 | 10:14 am