In this highly anticipated second round playoff match, the Nottingham Outlaws travelled to Newcastle to face the Raiders for a place in the Northern Conference finals. The game was set to be a monumental battle as the Raiders looked to continue their undefeated season against a formidable foe.

The Raiders began the game in typical fashion by driving their opening possession down the length of the field for a touchdown, as Mark Sohatee powered home a 10 yard run, providing death by chocolate for the Outlaws D. The Raiders Defence then impressed with a strong hold that enabled the Raiders O back onto the field. Following an impressive start to the drive, the Raiders then stalled as penalties and mistakes proved costly. A similar pattern occurred on the next Raiders Offensive possession, however no damage was done as the Raiders D proved to be an impenetrable force that gave nothing, but took from the Outlaws everything.

This stalemate of scoring was soon shattered towards the end of the second quarter as the Raiders began to drive on offence with renewed power and vigour, as Chris Howells showed the pace of a sprinting gazelle as he glided through the Outlaws defence for a 50 yard touchdown run in a fine display of athletic ability. As time in the second half began to dwindle, the Raiders D provided the Raiders O one last chance to score as Charlie Dryden intercepted an Outlaws pass, and the Raiders O took full advantage as Pete Fashanu saw the highway to the end zone on a 39 yard run, thus ending the half with the Raiders leading 20-0.

The second half proved to be a much closer affair than the first as scoring was down to a premium, as both teams struggled to find their rhythm. The Raiders defence was again immense, as when the Outlaws finally came within touching distance of the Raiders end zone, the Raiders held firm within their own 5 yard line causing a turnover on downs. Following this epic hold, the Raiders Offence provided the finishing blow as Rob Campbell completed a 40 yard pass to Miles Chadwick for a highly deserved touchdown. Further huge plays by the highly impressive Raiders Defence provided the game ended 26-0.

Rob Campbell gained game MVP honours on his final game for the Raiders as he led from the front with powerful plays on both sides of the ball, culminating in a 40 yard touchdown pass.

The Raiders move on to 10-0 and into the Northern Conference finals against the Staffordshire Stallions for a place in the National Championships.

Southampton Game Report

Bath received the ball first and after being held on their first 2 plays they completed a pass to #5 Steve Leonard who outran the corner and safety for a 66 yard score, the Killer Bees added the extra point, 7-0. The Stags started their drive from their own 10 and managed to get one first down before being forced to punt the ball away. The Killer Bees then drove the ball well again but as they neared the Stags endzone #47 Nicky Cole picked off a pass and gained some decent yards to kick-start the Southampton offence. The Stags put together a long drive of their own of run and pass, culminating in #37 Ben Webb catching a short pass from #1 Michal Katnik for the Stags first touchdown, Webb added the extra point, 7-7.

The game was a very even contest as the 2^nd quarter progressed with both sides being held out until Katnik hit #11 Dominic Olney in the endzone for an 18 yard, go-ahead touchdown, Webb was again good with the extra point. Bath drove the ball down the field well with the half running out but their drive was stopped short of scoring with #26 Oli Gould picking off the Bath QB in his own redzone. 14-7 at the half.

At half time the Stags made a couple of adjustments, they picked up the tempo and went through the air and were soon rewarded with a Katnik touchdown scrambling in from 9 yards out, XP was good again 21-7. The Stags defence had adjusted also and forced a Bath punt. Katnik drove the Stags down the field again, with some outstanding running from his backs until #33 Tam Amachree burst in from 3 yards out, despite a substitution penalty and a loss of yards, Webb still added the XP. 28-7. Bath then went to a run heavy offence and a good combination of sweeps and dives soon paid off with #34 Anders Bengtson scoring a 4 yard rush. The extra point snap was high and as the QB/holder rolled out he had no-one to throw to so just threw it out of bounds. That proved to be his last contribution of the game as Bath were forced to move WR #92 Tim Williams under centre. The Stags next drive was disastrous as Katnik hit Bath's MLB for an interception in their own half, a huge hit from Amachree made sure he didn't advance the ball however. As Bath pushed for another score defensive MVP #29 Gavin Long (“Hollyoaks”) picked off a pass in the front of the endzone to regain possession for the Stags.

The highlight of the 4^th quarter was the rushing of #33 Tam Amachree as he added a 49 yard score to increase the lead and the game was over when #26 Oli Gould picked off another pass on Bath's last offensive play.

The Killer Bees tested the Stags moving the ball well but the Stags defence stepped up with 8 turnovers (4 INT, 1 FR, 3 on downs). The Killer Bees defence contained the Stags to their lowest home score of the season as well and were very worthy divisional champions and play-off semi-finalists.

The Stags defence gave up yards but stepped up when it mattered and corner back #29 Gavin Long was awarded the defensive MVP by co-ordinator Mark Birchall.

Everyone contributed on offence with some great receiver play, most noticeably Webb and Olney and some strong running, not only from Amachree but also #22 Chevy Green, #5 Kai Passler and #21 Cedric Perret. Katnik got the game moving threw the air and on the ground. The offensive line did enough to get the job done with a standout performance from #73 Sam Bennett and managed to rotate in an entire second string line around the centre. The MVP was #22 Chevy Green, who not only got yards of his own but blocked excellently to clear the way for others.

The Stags would like to thank the Royal Holloway Vikings for doing the game commentary and providing their own equipment. The Polish crew on the hill also did excellently to get the crowd going with costumes, fire breathing and drumming all thrown in.

Stallions Game Report

Stoke – The Staffordshire Stallions have booked their place in the Northern Conference Final against Newcastle Raiders after defeating Leeds in a difficult 19-0 victory.

James Walker opened the scoring with three minutes remaining in the third as Quarterback Ben Rowan threaded the needle with a 20-yard touchdown pass. Edem Goka ran in untouched from three yards out after a 43-yard run put the Stallions inside the red zone. Rowan completed the scoring with a QB sneak from a yard out with 1.58 left in the game.

Clashes between Leeds and Staffordshire have often been tough, hard gruelling, battles in the trenches, and the game on Sunday was nothing more than two good offences going up against two superior defences that managed to shut down the opposing offence when it mattered.

Two years ago, Staffordshire beat Leeds in a defensive struggle after Jason Prince scored on the opening drive, which eventually decided the tie as Leeds dominated possession of the ball, but could not knock down the Stallions door. It would take the same determination from the Stallions to beat a Leeds side that had only conceded 19 points all season.

Both teams had the opportunity to open the scoring in the first half. Penalties thwarted the home team's attempts, as Ed Goka gave the Stallions a dream start, returning the opening kick off all the way, but Graham Roberts got called for a block in the back and Jon Wood missed a field goal attempt in the first quarter, while Leeds could of had a touchdown as Ben Barker dropped a quick pass on fourth and goal with no Stallion within catching distance of the receiver and the end zone as nerves seemed to get the better of both sides as a place in the Northern Final was less than sixty minutes away.

The score remained scoreless until Walker caught the ball in the end zone and managing to keep both feet in bounds giving the Stallions a six point lead.

Quarterback Rowan (7/12, 74 yards, 1 TD) should have been picked off by Matt Parrish for the first time since week one. However the second year receiver came back for the ball and plucked it out of the air, whilst making sure of the touchdown.

Ed Goka (32/215 yards) got his rewards for a pounding game running the ball with a three yard touchdown run with 11.45 left in the game giving the Stallions a two touchdown lead and Leeds a lot to do.

The second touchdown drive was a perfect example of every member of the offence pulling together at a crucial time in the game.

Tight End Chris Ward, always a target for Rowan, caught a spectacular diving catch to earn a first down. The offensive line and wide receivers than sprung Goka for his longest run of the game of 43 yards after the referees rule that the back step out of bounds at the 13. Ward again then made sure of a 6 yard completion after the ball was tipped by a defender putting the Stallions three yards out.

Leeds had to come out and get a score quick as time was running out, but it was the Stallions that should have put the game away as Gary Richardson dropped an interception from wayward pass.

The Celtic offence, like they had achieved all day, managed to find the gaps in the defence rushing the ball effectively for large gains, but with Leeds looking at getting back in the game it was the Stallions defence that wanted to ensure that Leeds did not put points on the board and make it a nervy last five minutes.

Andrew Brannigan, who played his last game at the Stables, stepped up and got to the quarterback on an option, leaving Leeds one yard short of a first down and giving the Stallions the ball as the Celtics turned possession over on downs.

Rowan finalised a victory as he sneaked the ball in from a yard out on fourth and goal with less than two minutes remaining.

With the victory, and Newcastle winning against Staffordshire's divisional rivals Nottingham, the Stallions now have a long trip up to Newcastle where they face the number one seeds and scoring offence, in a battle for the right to play in the first ever BUAFL Championship Game.

MVP's: Rookie: David Orr Defensive: George Furlonge, Offensive: Ben Rowan, Game: Ed Goka and Graham Roberts