Sorry for the lateness of this post, it’s been a busy few weeks recently.

Which is a shame because I missed a write-up of one hell of a match. A game for the ages. More of which later.

So, as we near the end of July, how are the Sharks doing in the race for the 3 BAFA Flag South playoff spots? Pretty damn good actually.

As of today, we’re sitting in 2nd place, behind Woodham Warriors (White), who have secured the conference title and qualified for Finals Weekend. We have four games left to play and if we can continue with our form, have a good opportunity to join Woodham in the post-season.

Our four remaining games are against London Rebels, Basingstoke Zombie Horde, Leicester Eagles and Coventry Jets, all of which – bar the Jets – are contending for the two remaining playoff spots (along with South Wales Warriors). So this weekend’s games against the Eagles and Horde are of utmost importance.

Here is the conference table:

In the BAFA Flag North conference, the Kirkcaldy Bulls have won the division for the third straight year with an unbeaten 10-0 record. This takes their current winning streak to 69 games (BAFA & SFFA). The Carluke Cobras – who knocked out the Sharks in the semi-finals last season – are sitting in 2nd place with a 5-1 record. The 3rd spot is up for grabs whilst no contender has emerged from the pack.

So, the Sharks are in a good position – what happened in the last two games you ask…

Well, to start with Chichester came out rather flat against Coventry. The bottom placed Jets put up a good fight in the first half, keeping the scoreline even. Despite several long ball opportunities, the Sharks didn’t seem to have their hands with them for the first 20 minutes.

All changed after the break as Chichester found their groove, pulling away from a Jets team who could muster no response. Simon Merton showed great soft hands with 2 TDs, but it was Mike Thompson who led the way with the scoring with 2 TD catches and an interception returned for a score. Final score Sharks 32, Jets 13.

So with the rust shaken off, the Sharks moved on to face South Wales – which is just as well, as the Warriors were yet again on fine form. Games against South Wales are always highly competitive and a lot of fun and this was no exception. The teams were evenly matched, both with efficient offenses and challenging defenses. The scores went back and forth until the Warriors started to pull ahead in the 2nd half.

Not ones to drop their heads in the face of defeat, the veteran Sharks  team dug deep and tied the game with 90 seconds to go. The jubilation was short lived however, as the Sharks D could not stop the Warriors from methodically marching down the field for a crushing score.

Faced with 17 seconds left in the game, QB Neil Henderson played the sidelines, hitting two quick passes to stop the clock at 10 seconds. On the next play a long pass downfield was pulled in for a score, but was called back for an ‘interesting’ Offensive Pass Interference penalty. With the penalty knocking us back into our own half and only 4 seconds left to play, Henderson had no choice but to heave a Hail Mary pass down into the endzone. After the game, Henderson commented that he had no idea who caught the ball as he had a Blitzer in his face. Thankfully, the trusty hands and leaping ability of Mike Thompson secured the ball amongst the throng of scrambling players, tying the game for the Sharks.

The extra point was converted and as the Welsh sunk dejected to the floor, the Sharks celebrated the unlikeliest of victories. Final score Sharks 33, Warriors 32.

And did I mention we only played with 5 men?

After a difficult opening weekend with two losses, the Sharks have since won 5 of their last 6 games, only narrowly losing to table leading Woodham Warriors (White).

On the 13th June, the Sharks beat Woodham Warriors (Black) 31-20, off the back of a 3 TD performance from Matt Williams (in his first game back with Chichester) and 2 TDs from Justin Handley. The Sharks dominated the game despite travelling with a small squad of 6.

On the 20th June, Chichester travelled to Leicester for a marathon 3 game event. The 3rd game had been added to the schedule to catch up on a postponed game against Woodham (Black) earlier in the season.

Despite the long day, the Sharks emerged with 2 wins from 3 games, beating Woodham (Black) 27-13 and hotly favoured, South Wales Warriors, 31-13. The latter being a tremendous effort all round from every player. Especially so, as it came on the heels of a disappointing 26-18 loss to Woodham (White).

With those results the Sharks now move to a 5-3 record overall and move into contention for a playoff spot. This year looks to be a very tight race for the 3 playoff spaces, with Woodham (White), South Wales, Leicester, London, and Basingstoke all with winning records.

The playoff picture may become clearer this weekend as Chichester travel to Coventry to take on the Jets, plus a 2nd game against the South Wales Warriors.

Bouncing back from two agonizing losses the previous week the Chichester Sharks posted two excellent wins this past weekend vs the London Rebels and previously unbeaten Basingstoke Zombie Horde in rural Northern Hampshire.

First up were the much fancied London Rebels (who the Sharks split the series with last season). A first half saw the lead exchange hands several times, with the QB to WR connection of Henderson to Merton proving particularly effective (3 TD catches for the game). In the 2nd half, the Sharks were able to make a couple of key defensive stops and managed to pull ahead to seal the victory, ending the game 34-24 to the Chichester.

In the second game the Sharks faced new league team the Basingstoke Zombie Horde, which is led by two former Sharks players. The Horde pulled out a 2 score lead at half time but strong defence in the second half by the Sharks brought them back into contention. The Sharks just manged to sneak in front as time ticked down and were able to halt the Horde as time expired for a superb 36-33 victory.

Speaking about the teams performance, Sharks QB and Offensive co-coordinator Neil Henderson (who himself threw 10 TDs under centre) said “We had a tough job picking ourselves up after the losses last week but the performance today by everyone was outstanding. We were up against two very good teams today so to come away with two wins is fantastic.”

“Both games were very close and could have gone either way but our experience and patience showed as we were able to adapt to what they threw at us. We still made mistakes though and still have much to work on…..we gave up too many touchdowns and dropped too many passes so we can’t rest up”.

Game balls went to Simon Merton (5 TD receptions and 3 XP receptions) and Mike Thompson (2 TD receptions, 1 XP catch, 3 interceptions and 1 XP interception returned the length of the field for 2 pts. Next week the Sharks travel to Coventry for a game against the new Woodham Warriors (Black) team.

For an update on player stats for the season so far click here

So two games are in the books but we’ve got a long way still to go.

Whilst we started with two losses, everyone that travelled put everything into the games. Those competing on the day were:

Neil Henderson
Dave Lee
Gary Robinson
Pete Steel
Scott Wilson
Simon Merton
Justin Handley

Speaking of the two disappointing losses QB and offensive coordinator Neil Henderson said “Things just didn’t go our way, the windy conditions didn’t help and luck just wasn’t on our side. We travelled with a small squad and picked up a few injuries which never helps. These were our first games of the season and we were just too rusty. We have played a lot worse and won so we were beaten by two good teams today, but we can take a lot of positives out of how we played and the whole team is very optimistic of the rest of the season and the return fixtures against Woodham White and Leicester in particular now to avenge today’s losses”.

Player stats as of 01/06/10 from 2 games:

Passing Statistics '10

Receiving / Rushing Statistics '10

Defensive Statistics '10

It looks like this season is going to shape up to be very competitive and wide open. That’s the verdict, after the Sharks suffered a disappointing double loss of the opening weekend of our season.

On a weekend that saw new team Basingstoke Zombie Horde beat recent title contenders, London Rebels and Coventry Jets, the Sharks fell to another new team Woodham Warriors (White), plus to longstanding rivals the Leicester Eagles.

Both games were extremely close and the result could have gone either way, which is encouraging in regards to our prospects this season. One or two plays in each game could have made a difference. Hopefully, as we get a few more players back (travelled with only 7) and get back into game-shape, we can turn this around quickly.

In the first game, the Sharks got behind early and found themselves in a hole, down 3 scores to 1. The speed and conditioning of the young Warriors team was proving the difference maker, as the Sharks repeatedly had to resort to multiple tacklers to corral the opposition.

However, the experience and resolution of the Sharks players shone through as we managed to claw our way back to tie it up right before time expired.

A new one for this season, we then had to play overtime. Which for flag means two drives each from halfway, followed by a further drive if the scores are still tied.

Whilst we matched them drive for drive for the first two, they managed to score on the third. Then our third drive led us to a 4th down on the half yard line but we were unable to complete the final pass, sealing the win for Woodham.

Unfortunately, we were up immediately again to play Leicester. The small squad was suffering, due to the long overtime game and the injuries began to mount up. Neil was playing with a popped thumb, I had cramps and Scott was struggling having been ill all week.

Despite that we managed to hold a 7-6 lead for much of the game. We had a couple of chances to put the game away but the drives stalled in the redzone. It looked like we were going to have to win this one with defense, but it was the Eagles defense that made the play of the game. Leicester’s Charlie made an outstanding interception, scooping the ball up off the tips of the grass before sprinting into the endzone.

With the two teams so evenly matched, we were unable to mount a final winning drive and the Eagles secured the 12-7 victory.

Whilst everyone was disappointed with the results, we should be encouraged by our play. Yes, we made some mistakes, and yes, some of us need a little more conditioning, but we made a lot of good plays and we will be competitive this year.

This coming Sunday, we have games against the Zombie Horde and the London Rebels in Basingstoke. We’re anticipating having more players available this time, so there won’t be such a need to play both ways, which should help.

Please make every effort to be available; we’ll be in touch with details during the week.

Please feel to add any comments about this weekend’s games below. Thanks

The schedule for the 2010 BAFACL Flag season has been released – and it’s not going to be an easy one for the Sharks.

Due to a late start to the season to resolve the fall out from the BAFA / BAFL split and availability of other teams, the Sharks now face the daunting prospect of playing six away tournaments in just six weeks. Starting with the last weekend of May, the Sharks will travel to Leicester (x2), Basingstoke, Coventry (x2) and St. Albans, resting through July, before ending the season with two home tournaments in Chichester.

It should make for an interesting and exciting season!

Full Fixtures:

Sun 09/05/2010 – Woodham

Jets vs Woodham White

Woodham White vs Woodham Black

Woodham Black vs Eagles

Eagles vs Jets

Sun 23/05/2010 – Wales

Rebels vs Wales

Rebels vs Kings

Kings vs Wales

Sun 30/05/2010 – Leicester

Woodham Black vs Sharks

Woodham White vs Eagles

Woodham White vs Woodham Black

Eagles vs Sharks

Sun 30/05/2010 – London

Horde vs Jets

Horde vs Rebels

Jets vs Rebels

Sun 06/06/2010 –Basingstoke

Sharks vs Horde

Kings vs Wales

Rebels vs Sharks

Horde vs Kings

Wales vs Rebels

Sun 13/06/2010 – Coventry

Woodham Black vs Sharks

Woodham White vs Wales

Woodham Black vs Jets

Sharks vs Woodham White

Wales vs Jets

Sat 19/06/2010 – St Albans

Horde vs Jets

Horde vs Kings

Jets vs Kings

Sun 20/06/2010 – Leicester or Coventry

Woodham White vs Sharks

Woodham White vs Rebels

Woodham Black vs Wales

Woodham Black vs Rebels

Sharks vs Wales

Sun 27/06/2010 – Coventry

Wales vs Sharks

Wales vs Jets

Sharks vs Jets

Sat 03/07/2010 – St Albans

Eagles vs Sharks

Eagles vs Kings

Sharks vs Kings

Sun 11/07/2010 – Leicester or Coventry

Woodham White vs Horde

Woodham White vs Kings

Woodham Black vs Horde

Woodham Black vs Kings

Sun 18/07/2010 – Leicester or Coventry

Woodham White vs Rebels

Woodham White vs Horde

Woodham Black vs Rebels

Woodham Black vs Horde

Sun 25/07/2010 – Woodham

Woodham White vs Eagles

Woodham White vs Jets

Woodham Black vs Eagles

Woodham Black vs Jets

Sun 01/08/2010 – Chichester

Horde vs Rebels

Horde vs Sharks

Rebels vs Sharks

Sun 01/08/2010 – Coventry or Leicester

Woodham White vs Wales

Woodham White vs Kings

Woodham Black vs Wales

Woodham Black vs Kings

Sun 08/08/2010 – Wales

Eagles vs Horde

Eagles vs Wales

Horde vs Wales

Sat 14/08/2010 – Leicester

Jets vs Rebels

Jets vs Eagles

Rebels vs Eagles

Sat 21/08/2010 – Chichester

Jets vs Kings

Jets vs Sharks

Kings vs Sharks

Sun 29/08/2010 – Basingstoke

Wales vs Horde

Eagles vs Horde

Wales vs Eagles

Sat 04/09/2010 – London

Eagles vs Rebels

Rebels vs Kings

Eagles vs Kings

Finals TBC 18/19 or 25/26 September

photo credit: Anderson Mancini

With the 2010 season just days away, take a look at our new player recruiting video. Those who were there that day, will recognise the footage from the last game of the 2009 season – a victory over the St. Albans Kings.

Sound ON, turn it up, maximise the video window and enjoy!

If you’ve been following the recent events concerning BAFA/BAFL you’ll know it’s been a tumultuous offseason. Thankfully, that is all now resolved and soon to be a distant memory.

Like a phoenix from the flames, a new league has emerged in the form of the British American Football Association Community League. And with it, new teams have entered the flag football competition for 2010. New entrants, Basingstoke Zombie Horde and Woodham Warriors (entering 2 teams) join the new South Conference, whilst Tayside Raptors join the North.

BAFL has ceased trading, so BAFA, the governing body in the UK, has formed new Community Leagues for both flag and kitted american football. There is a new BAFACL website, which like its predecessor has its player forum you can join.

The schedules for the 2010 season are just in the process of being finalised and will be released shortly. Check back here soon for more details.

Time for training to get serious, please do make every session you can and don’t forget to keep an eye out for new players from amongst your friends, families and co-workers.

If you’re new to the website and the sport and you’re interested in playing or finding out more please do get in touch.

GO SHARKS!

photo credit: RonAlmog

photo credit: bibendum84

The 2010 BAFL Flag season is due to commence next month for what will be it’s third season under the BAFL banner.

As yet the number of teams participating is not known, but we can expect long time rivals Leicester Eagles and more recent challengers Coventry Jets and London Rebels to be entering teams.

The Chichester Sharks are busy preparing for the new season, with a number of former players rejoining the squad that made it to the Finals in 2009. We’re still recruiting however, so anyone interested in playing this great sport of ours should get in touch ASAP to register and join us for training.

For current players, the new registration forms should be available shortly.

Hopefully, weather-permitting, we should have training this Sunday, so see you there.

If you’re  a regular on the league website, you’ll be aware that the British American Football League (BAFL) has withdrawn from the National Governing Body – the British American Football Association (BAFA) – citing the consistent poor delivery of business critical services as its primary reason.

According to statements the 2010 season will continue under the BAFL banner, but it will be as an independent members association. The true impact of this withdrawal remains to be seen, but with the season fast approaching hopefully it will not have any negative repercussions.

Due to these events, a new organisation has been born – the British Amercian Football Players Association.

In an open letter to the British American Football community they cited their reasons as:

‘The BAFPA has been borne out of a feeling of necessity, that all players should have the ability to have their voice heard in the same way that is afforded to coaches (BAFCA), referees (BAFRA), and the member leagues (BUAFL and BAFL) in British American Football.’

The main principles of BAFPA are:

• The BAFPA’s purpose is to represent the views, wishes and desires of the people who participate in the sport as players.
• The BAFPA is independent and represents only the views of the players without prejudice.
• The BAFPA will ensure complete transparency in all communications to all our members.
• The BAFPA shall work within the confines of the NGB but is impartial in all matters.
• The BAFPA members will democratically vote for their board

You can find out more on the new BAFPA website and Facebook group.