Games to be played on weekend 1st / 2nd March
Rankings in brackets.
Northern Conference:
(8) Loughborough Aces (15) @ (34) Newcastle Raiders (1)
(7) UT Cougars (6) @ (57) Staffordshire Stallions (2)
(6) Nottingham Outlaws (12) @ (0)Stirling Clansmen (3)
(5) Sheffield Sabres (12) @ (19) Leeds Celtics (4)
Southern Conference:
(8) Greenwich Mariners (0) @ (43) Southampton Stags (1)
(7) Reading Knights (7) @ (51) Hertfordshire Hurricanes (2)
(6) UWE Bullets (6) @ (14) Birmingham Lions (3)
(5) Royal Holloway Vikings (0) @ (39) Bath Killer Bees (4)
Bath Game Report – RHU Vikings @ Killer Bees
A blustery wind was to hamper the passing game of both teams, but enthusiasm and determination was abundant on both sidelines prior to the opening round of BUAFL's 2008 play-offs. Bath won the toss and elected to receive, and after the returner salvaged a botched catch of the kick, Baths offense took over on the 24 yard line.
The Bees took the opportunity to stamp their intensity on the game with a long scoring drive, after a series of powerful running and explosive blocking from a pumped offensive line. Running back Anders Bengtson driving in from 3 yards out, to put Bath in the lead, with Adrian Dalmedo squeezing over a kick on a day he would struggle with the gale-force winds, scouring diagonally across the field.
The next three drives all ended with no scores, after two punts, the Holloway kicker then faced the difficult winds and missed from 22 yards.
After a stall the last time out, Bath extended their lead with Matt Brookes diving in from a yard out.
Royal Holloway then proceeded to exploit a seam in the Bath defence to the ultimate degree, but the long-range passing TD was stopped by a tripping penalty as a Holloway receiver tripped an ensuing bees player, and the Bath defense didn't slip again, as they shut down the attempt on fourth down.
Baths offense clicked in the second quarter and put distance between the two sides. First, Matt Brookes connected with offensive MVP Marc Vincent down the sideline for a 28 yard score, then Matt Styles raced in from 34 yards, and Tim Williams ended the half confidently for Bath, as, after juggling the initial catch, broke a tackle to run in from 48 yards. Buoyed by their second quarter execution, Bath led 32-0 at half time, and dampened Royal Holloway's mood, after dangerous early drives.
Bath scored only once in the second half, as Gareth Booth, led faithfully by Ben Wiltshire scraped over from a yard out, to put Bath 39-0 up. Baths defense continued to stifle the Vikings, forcing punts and turnovers consistently. Defensive MVP Marcus Da Costa had another stunning game, forcing the issue for an All-Star selection, with 7 tackles, an assist, and 2 further pass deflections. He was joined by the whole of the Bees swarming defense, including D – Tackle Ian Pinder who had 3 tackles, 2 assists and a mighty 3 sacks.
It was a welcome return to form for Bath's offense too, as Matt Brookes ended with over 100 yards, 2 passing TD's, a rushing TD and 1 Interception. The running backs, working together as they have all season long, provided Bath with 299 yards rushing, and 4 TD's.
Sabres Game Report – Sabres @ Celtics
The match up of the week in the 2008 postseason saw Roses divisional rivals Sheffield and Leeds meet at the Graveyard, Leeds. With spoils very much shared during the regular season, a Leeds defence not conceding a point all season and a Sheffield team wishing to avenge last season's gutting loss, this was going to be one epic battle no-one would forget. Fortunately for once, normal Leeds weather was put on hold as both teams ran out to a joyfully overcast, but not rain-filled sky.
The Sheffield offence appeared to start the more promising, and set up with a collection of short fields, it wasn't long before the ball was in the endzone, in the hands of RB Sam Broughton, following a wide run, set up by a series of QB sneaks.
With the Leeds offence faltering with a number of bad snaps and poor ball control, it should have been time for Sheffield to put the game away, but an outstanding defensive goal-line stand stopped the Sheffield offence and their field goal attempt was blocked.
Leeds were back in the game when a poor snap meant that P Henry McSorley had to drop on the ball, giving the Leeds offence their first short field of the day. They duly accepted and Ben Barker ran the ball in before Leeds split the uprights taking a single point lead.
The Sheffield offence then retook the field and a pass from QB Paul Musker to WR Sam Manger rounded off an impressive 50 yard drive, making it 12-7 at the turn.
In the second half Leeds redoubled their efforts and managed to build up a series of long drives against a tiring and injury-worn Sheffield defence, and after touchdowns from Ricky Jordan and Luke Wilcjek, Sheffield found themselves 7 points behind.
The game came down to one last drive from the Sheffield offence with two minutes left on the clock. With some impressive catches from Sam Manger and WR Tom Wyke, they marched the field, yet it was not meant to be a fairytale ending as a turnover on downs allowed Leeds to kneel to victory.
Impressive individual performances from LG Kirk Mavraki, WR Sam Manger, WR Tom Wyke, rookie TE Matt Bartimus and QB Paul Musker on offence, along with DT Steve Cadamy, DE Chris Lakin and LB Rob Oxley on defence.
The Sabres would like to thank the following for their years of service with the club, and wish them all the best in whatever they choose to do:
QB Paul Musker, WR Sam Manger, WR Henry Geen, WR Tom Wyke, FB/LB Tom Murphy, C Dan Smith, WR Naz Purewal, WR Rich Manns, QB Taz Droulias, LB Rob Oxley, LB Iain Adams, DE Chris Lakin.
We would also like to wish Simon and Rachael Dwyer all the best with their new arrival this summer.
Hurricanes Game Report – Knights @ Hurricanes
(Hatfield, 2nd March 2008 ) The first meeting in twelve years between Hertfordshire and Reading ended in a resounding triumph for the Hurricanes.
Herts opened the scoring on their first possession when team captain Issam Affoury broke free for a 25 yard rushing touchdown.
On their next possession the Hurricanes again hit pay dirt when a 70 yard drive was converted to 6 points on a short pass from Fred Boyle to wide receiver Tim Rogers.
Meanwhile the Hurricanes defense restricted the Knights to small gains led by defensive tackles Luke Rogers, Kwadwo Asiedu and linebacker Victor Machinga.
At the start of the second quarter Affoury gained his second score of the day on a 5 yard run. Then Tim Rogers followed with his second TD on a 19 yard pass from Boyle.
Late in the half, with Reading pinned back inside their 10 yard line, Daniel Donker blocked a desperate scrambled punt. The ball flew out of the endzone for a Safety. This brought th half-time score to Herts 30, Reading 0.
In the Third Quarter Herts failed to add to the score line with two long drives stalling out through penalties. But the defense continued to hold the Knights at bay. Strong performances from defensive end Michael Wayans and Jason Scurfield at outside linebacker being prominent.
The fourth quarter saw the Herts offense re-establish normal service. First with WR Ben Shipley who caught his first career TD on a 7 yard pass from Boyle.
Reading then put together their one successful drive of the day to score on a 10 yard run. But the Knights then turned-over their next two possessions which both resulted in scores for the home side. First Kwadwo Asiedu recoved a fumble at the Reading 11 yard line. From here Adrian John powered his way through a number of tackles to reach the endzone. Then DB Justin Holder picked-off a Reading pass and Herts marched up the field behind the power running of John who finished the drive on a 4 yard scoring plunge.
Kicker James Hardy was again perfect on the day, converting all seven PAT kicks.
Aces Game Report – Aces @ Raiders
After transport problems, the Loughborough Aces arrived in Newcastle ready to challenge the number one seeds in the North.
The Aces kicked to Newcastle, who were seemingly contained on their first drive by a swarming Loughborough defense led by captain Ross Gabriel. However, a costly penalty gave the Newcastle offense fresh impetus and a new set of downs. They duly went on to finish the drive on the resulting play with a 48-yard touchdown run. The Loughborough offense came out and straight away were able to move the ball with running backs Tom Worrall and Mike Meckiff. However, poor execution stopped the Aces offense from consistently moving the ball.
The second quarter was much of the same, but this time the Aces defense made Newcastle work harder for their points. Coming away with two touchdowns in the second quarter, the Aces defense, although not managing to not concede, they did dig deep and under the leadership of star defensive end Dr Phil Stansfield, were able to slow the much-heralded Newcastle attack down.
Score at half time Newcastle 20, Loughborough 0.
With Loughborough needing at least three touchdowns, the pressure was on to produce in the second half. The Aces defense was able to stop Newcastle from scoring in the third quarter with good play from linebackers Sam Thompson, Jason Scott, Liam Browne and Gordon Carver, and defensive lineman Rob Batkin, Tom Chapman, Chris Peel and Sam Whittle, and allowed their offense some good field position. Once again the Aces offense were inconsistent, and despite good plays and promising drives they were unable to score. They ended the third quarter on the Raiders 3 yard line after a long and sustained drive. And on the first play of the fourth quarter, second year running back Yomi Okuboyejo ran the ball into the endzone behind good blocking from his offensive line of Sam Thompson, Rob Gilmour, Simon Murphy, James Pearce and Phil Stansfield, to give the Aces hope. The PAT kick from veteran star kicker Matt Hollis was successful.
This hope was soon dashed as the Raiders came back and scored twice to put the game out of sight of the Aces. Undeterred and determined to end their season as well as they could, the Aces again were able to move the ball down the field, with passes to Tom Bornet, Mark Greenway, Will Kinghorn, Graham Kelly and rookie receiver Jack Daley, this time scoring through the air with third year QB John Pimperton connecting with star rookie receiver Alex Hopkins for a three yard touchdown pass. The two point attempt was successfully ran in by full back Jason Scott.
The game finished Newcastle 34, Loughborough 15.
The Loughborough Aces want to wish the Newcastle Raiders the best of luck in the rest of the playoffs.
The Aces also want to thank the Loughborough Acettes for their fantastic support throughout the year, as well as wish departing statistician Adam Etheridge the best of luck in his future endeavours.