BCAFL Week 11
Loughborough started what is to be a busy week for them with a win over Derby, they now play UT Cougars mid-week and then Bath on Sunday. A win in both could yet see them get a bye week in the playoffs or two losses and they could fail to get into the playoffs.Several teams are still in the hunt for playoff places in the North with only Leeds having secured their division. Glasgow and Stirling play each other in Stirling this weekend for the Borders Division title. In the Southern Conference things are slightly clearer with Birmingham, Caridff and Southampton having won their divisions. Herts and UEA do battle for top spot in their division. Warwick and Bristol are also in contention for the wildcard spots.
Derby Braves 19 - 36 Loughborough Aces
The game started with a ferocious pace with both Aces’ O and D dominating the Braves in the first quarter. RB Craig Flower opened the scoring on an 8yd run, with Andy Studer converting the PAT. A turnover from the Aces’ D gave good field position and allowed Studer to kick a 28yd FG. In the second quarter, the Braves stepped up and used strong running to drive the Aces’ Defence all the way to their own goal line, where RB Dave Harber went over from a 7yrd run, with Paul Grigg adding the PAT. The Aces responded in their next drive with 7yd pass reception to Studer, who then added the PAT.
The third quarter brought a dramatic change to the game as the Aces’ defence failed to deal with Derby’s strong running. Two outstanding breakaway runs from Michael Sobanjo of 60yds and 80yds for TDs pushed the Braves ahead by 2 points. When the Aces’ defence took to the field after this was with renewed purpose. Derby were forced to throw and Aces CB Matt Davis made a 27yd interception and ran it back for the TD, with Studer converting the PAT. The Aces’ offence finished off with a 15yrd pass to TE Luke Rosenberg and a 15yrd run by Dan Cuddeford.
UCH Sharks 8 - 12 Leeds Celtics
The Celtics came out with purpose, setting the tone on kick off and getting a good stop on the sharks first drive. It was a defensive battle yet again. Although the Celtics QB Dario Molea snuck in during the first quarter, momentum was lost when the 2PAT attempt was fumbled and returned for 2 at the other end by Isaac Rocha for the Sharks. Hull were boosted by this and went close on a couple of plays before a 3 yd TD run by Yacine Salmi thorugh the middle at the end of the first quarter put them 8-6 up. From then on, both defences came up with consistent stops, both teams struggling to even get first downs.
The fourth quarter saw the Celtics come close a few times, driving to the red zone but unable to convert. Hull too had position inside the 2 minute warning, but an interception by Simon Harmer gave the Celtics another attempt. Failing to convert again, the game was seemingly over, however, Hull failed to convert again on 3 downs. Leeds gained possession off a fumbled punt giving them position on the 35 yard line with 10 seconds on the clock. Throwing deep, the first play failed and with 2 seconds left, QB Alex Fisher hit Gary Armstong in the endzone to win the game with no time left.
Caledonian Roughriders 0 - 72 Glasgow Tigers
In the return of last weeks loss the Roughriders travelled to the Tigers hoping for better things. The Tigers however were looking to continue their wining run having not lost since Week 6. An early safety off a Caledonian punt gave them an early lead. Kenny McPhail returned the restart 55yds for a TD and RB Andy Hall added a 2PAT. Hall added another TD soon after before WR Ian Bertram scored a TD off a 31 yard Matt McCusker pass. Hall scored another TD on a 3yd reception and Rob Campbell added the 2PAT to end the first quarter 30 - 0 up. In the second quarter the Roughriders came out fighting with RB Jamie McCansh leading them up the field, both defenses however were firing and the quarter ended with no more additions to the scoreboard.
In the third the Tigers added TDs through RB Peter Neill, TE Ian Hay and McPhail with Campbell adding another 2PAT. In the fourth Caledonian QB Ali Choat connected with his WRs on multiple occasions before McPhail picked him off and it ran back for a 42yd TD, a Matthew Storry reception added the 2PAT. A Dan Seltzer reception and a Matt McCusker run rounded off the TDs with a Colin Chambers 2PAT reception adding the final points of the day.
Stirling Clansmen 28 - 12 Newcastle Raiders
Stirling began the game pinned inside their own 15 yard line, however their offence marched down the field on their opening drive behind the running of both Jon Sutherland and John Chilton, the drive was capped off with a 40yd TD reception by Carlos Yanes–Roca, Sutherland added the 2PAT. The Stirling defence held tough during the first quarter, causing a fumble on the Raiders first drive and forcing a punt on their second drive. Sutherland scored his first TD when he found the endzone form five yards out to give a 14–0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Newcastle got on the board when Stewart Robson broke a 27yd run down the sideline pulling Newcastle to within 8 points at halftime. Stirling began to take control when Newcastle’s opening drive was ended by a Jeff Bryan interception. Sutherland found his way through the Raider defence for a 27yd TD run, Chilton added the 2PAT. Newcastle hit straight back, putting together a long drive which ended with Matt Barton running it in from 5 yards out. Stirling’s defence came up big in the 4th quarter with two key fourth down stops and the victory was sealed when Chilton ran in from 25 yards for the score.
Lancaster Bombers 6 - 46 Staffordshire Stallions
The Bombers closed out their campaign with a disappointing loss but the mostly rookie squad took the game to Staffs despite being outclassed. The Staffs power running game was evident for all to see provided the basis for the Staffs O and allowed Staffs QB Ant Charles to go to the air as he exericsed his arm with completions to his receiving corps throughout the game, aided by the protection afforded to him by the Staffs O-Line. TE Ziad Chouiri opened the scoring off a Charles pass with Jermaine Allen adding the 2PAT before adding a TD of his own. Prince added another TD on a 12yd run and Staffs scored twice more before the break through FB Chris Ellis and Chouri.
Chouri ran in a TD to open the scoring in the second half. Due to the pressure from Staffs front 7, despite hard running from Joe Black, DuValle Merchant and Jordan Stokes all day, the Bombers were forced to turn to the air where good protection allowed Tom Zydel to exercise his arm leading to several completions. Jason Larsen, the leading reciever got the Bombers on the board following a 74 yard drive from the Bombers when he caught a 6yd TD pass from Zydel. Prince finished the TD scoring for the day and Brett Rosenbaum added the final points on a 2PAT conversion.
Leicester Lightning 0 - 46 Sheffield Sabres
The Leicester Lightning opened this game with some strong running by QB Scott Summers but were forced to punt, the Sabres then took their first possession, 65 yards in 7 plays for the opening points which came on a Paul Musker pass to Robert Levy. WR Nick East caught the 2PAT. In the second quarter Levy added to Sheffield’s lead when he took an option pass in from 20 yards, WR Ryan Spokas added the 2PAT. Levy then took another option pass in from 25 yards out and Spokas again hauled in the 2PAT.
As the half neared an end Musker found Spokas open in the corner of the end zone for a 15 yard TD. Sabres CB James Lomas picked off Summers which set up Levy for his fourth TD which came on a 30 yard scamper. TE Chris Hughes grabbed the 2PAT. Sabres CB Scott Davies then picked off another Summers pass giving the Sabres good field position. TE Chris Hughes set up the games final points with a 30 yard reception. QB Paul Musker then sneaked in from 1 yard out and Levy was on hand to catch the 2PAT.
Nottingham Outlaws 20 - 7 Oxford Cavaliers
This game was meant to be hosted at Oxford, but due to unforeseen circumstances the game was moved to Nottingham. Glad at not having to travel Nottingham put together some good drives in the first quarter. They were unable to convert any of the yardage into points and Oxford LB Nick Brezins was able to intercept a pass, but the Cavaliers couldn't score either. The first score came in the second quarter in the form of a 14yd TD reception from Paddy Daly from QB Westwood.
In the third Oxford replied with a passing TD of their own, 45 yards to David Skingley and in took the lead after Pete Robey added the PAT. Late in the third Nottingham scored again with on a short run by Chris Mullan. In the fourth Nottingham sealed a victory, which they should have put away earlier in the game, with a 15 yard run by Berchie, followed by the 2PAT scored by Westwood.
Bristol Bullets 38 - 0 Tarannau Aberystwyth
Aber won the toss and took the football but were forced to punt. The Bristol offence wasted no time to get going and took the lead when MVP for the day James Sewell ran the ball in from 48 yards, Chris Taylor added the PAT. The Bullets controlled the ball and the clock and it paid of when QB James Carter bootlegged in from 5 yards. Aber drove down field, thanks mainly to the bootlegging of QB Alex Wilson, but the final play of the half was batted down in the endzone by the Bullet’s DB’s. At the start of the second half the Bullets scored a long TD reception courtesy of Naguib Yusufu, the pass supplied by in the in-form James Carter. The Bullet’s defence improved their form and began to gain the upper-hand.
The Bullet’s O showed no signs of letting up and Sewell scored his second TD of the day, rushing over from 50 yards out. In the fourth quarter a shift in personal saw Bullets and Bulldogs DT Lee Richards step up under centre. Richards completed an incredible 62yd TD pass to Sewell. Following a dominant second half and a series of turnovers the Bullets D’s hard work finally paid off when rookie DE Ric Hampton picked of a pass and returned the ball for a TD as time expired.
Warwick Wolves 22 - 16 Plymouth Blitz
Warwick received the ball and made good yardage off the first run from Adeoatus Twumas. Warwick’s powerful running continued with Robin Carter scoring early in the first, Toby Rhodes then ran in the 2PAT. The second quarter saw Carter power in for a second TD for Warwick however Plymouth had been gaining momentum throughout and this culminated in an interception from Plymouth’s safety, Sam Le Tissier who intercepted a long pass and ran in an 60yrd TD through Warwick’s offence. Masimba Tawoozera put Plymouth up to 8 points by running in again.
Warwick were still fighting but lacked heart until Carter ran in another 6 points. In the fourth quarter Plymouth’s Fred Walker ran in 6 points and Tawoozera followed with another 2 to bring them to within 4 points. In a tense end to the game Warwick’s defence stepped up and CB Chris Small forced a safety.
Essex Blades 9 - 8 Brighton Tsunami
The first quarter was a battle of field position as both defenses held firm and there was little to choose between either side. Midway through the second period the Blades put a drive together with big gains from HB Matt Excell and WR Kayed Al-Qasimi and scored the opening TD when Excell bounced to the outside on a 7yd dash. The end of the second and beginning of the third quarters were very similar to the first quarter until Brighton gave the ball to RB Simon Alexander who was able to power the ball to the red zone. Two plays later Alexander scored and gave Brighton the lead by adding the 2PAT.
After an Essex punt the Tsunami started on their own 20 and Brighton returned the favour as the Blades offense started on their 20. The ensuing drive stalled in the red zone and Gareth Waterhouse split the uprights to give the Blades a 1 point lead with 5 minutes to go. After an exchange of punts Blades MLB Kevin Marshall stripped the ball form the Brighton HB and SS Mike Thompson dived on top to recover and allow the offence to run the clock out giving Essex the win.
UKC Falcons 0 - 66 Hertfordshire Hurricanes
The Hurricane's Tom Scott opened the scoring early in the first quarter taking a Junior Price pass 6 yards for the score and Rob Kelly tacked on the PAT. The Canes defence was again in hard hitting form led by Lloyd Buxton, Ade Balogun and rookie Adrian Samuel providing the offence with fantastic field position, Aston Ellington powered into the endzone from 2 yards, the reliable boot of Rob Kelly tacked on the extra point. Jon Gerring then continued his amazing season with two TD catches of 25 and 65 yards. Adam Camp then rounded off an explosive half with a TD catch of 20 yards, Rob Kelly added the PAT.
The second half saw more of the same from a focused Hurricanes team. Rob Kelly scored on a 4yd catch and then kicked the PAT to complete the Hurricanes scoring in the 3rd quarter due to some good defence from the Falcons. Rookie WR Luke Savage scored from 10 yards taking advantage of the first of 2 fumbles recovered by the Hurricanes kick-off unit. Kelly added the PAT before David Hartley ran 33 yards for the score after Lloyd Buxton recovered the second fumbled kick-off. Ade Balogun then ended the scoring for the Canes with touchdowns of 20 and 2 yards.
APU Phantoms 0 - 29 UEA Pirates
The UEA Pirates claimed their fifth successive victory in BCAFL this season with a comfortable win over the expansion team APU Phantoms in warm up to the Division title deciding clash with Herts in Week 12. Rich Barnard opened the scoring when he punched the ball in from six yards to break the deadlock. He extended the lead with his ninth TD of the season in the second quarter before rookie Matt Gregory scored his first BCAFL TD with a 2yd rush.
Another rookie who has been performing well for the Pirates this season is WR Martin Ray, and his picked up a big TD reception as he took a Lucien Giordano 41yd pass into the Phantom's endzone. Kevin Blacoe nailed his fourth FG of the season to complete the scoring, having earlier missed 3 PATs and a FG wide right.
Cardiff Cobras 50 - 14 Bath Killer Bees
After the kickoff, Bath soon had to punt and gave Cardiff the ball in good field position. The Cobras then showed their skill and connected with a 25yd TD pass to WR Dave Pruett with their first offensive play, giving them an early lead. Cardiff then proceeded to dominate the rest of the first half scoring another 2 TDs, through Lance Godfrey on a 14yd run and TE Max Osobourne on a 5yd pass. With time running out in the first half, a personal foul against Cardiff on a bath punt put bath in range to go in at the half still in contention. Baths offence delivered and the pairing of QB Ben Salisbury and WR Steve Leonard connected for a 50yd TD as time expired.
In the second half an on form Cobras offence engineered a well deserved TD which saw Godfrey look to the air again this time to find WR Warren Coombes open to complete a 44yd pass. An unorthodox TD was added by RB Bateman who found the ball loose in the home team’s endzone, with FB Chris Davies' diving catch adding the 2PAT. Cardiff defence then got on the board with Daniel Mattholie returning a pick 20yds for a TD. A catch by WR Matthieu Peron and a run by TB James Godfrey completed the Cobras 50 point haul for the day. Again, Bath rescued some dignity by scoring late with rookie WR Matthew Brookes scored his first career TD on a 17yd reception. They then completed a pass for the 2PAT to Steve Leonard.
Southampton Stags 20 - 0 PA Surrey Stingers
This was the second meeting between PA Surrey Stingers and Southampton Stags of the season and this time the game was held in Surrey. The game started with some long drives from the Southampton offense who were unfortunately unable to capitalise when in the red-zone. However, despite the Surrey defence putting up a strong fight Southampton got down to the one yardline and QB Ted Baynham scored on a QB sneak, Ben Webb added the PAT.
The second quarter saw some good runs from the Stingers offense, but the Southampton defense prevailed and they were unable to score. Similar to the first quarter Southampton had some long drives, but were again failing to produce where it counted. Eventually another run from Baynham secured six more points. In the second half, the game continued in much the same way as the first, with drives from Southampton resulting in nothing. Southampton’s Gareth Thomas then scored what were to be the final points of the game with a interception on the end-zone.
BCAFL standings and details of Week 12 fixtures can be found on www.bcafl.org
18 Feb, 04 | 4:35 pm