Shark Attack off Plymouth Coast

So after the Sharks managed to get dry after the opening games in Cardiff, the next set of fixtures for the 2012 BAFA Flag Season were quickly upon us, the destination Plymouth. The Sharks set off at an ungodly hour with 9 players, 4 of which were rookies. The fixtures ahead were going to be tough. The opening game was to be the Chichester Sharks taking on the new Plymouth Pirates team. Chichester won the toss and started the day on offense, with Neil Henderson leading the Sharks to a very quick start against the rookie Plymouth defense with multiple touchdown throws to Mike Thompson. The Sharks defense were to close to locking down the fledgling offense of Plymouth and Justin Handley made the Pirates QB’s life hell as he…
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2012 Season Opener: In A Wet And Windy Wales

Fish don’t get this wet. The start of the 2012 BAFA Flag Football season was held on a day that few would associate with a SUMMER football league. Despite heavy rain and a waterlogged pitch, the Chichester Sharks, Basingstoke Zombie Horde and South Wales Warriors did battle in Cardiff last Sunday. The Sharks travelled with 7 players, 3 of which were rookies, to match up with two teams who are perennially playoff contenders. The Sharks kicked off the day with a game against Basingstoke, followed by a match up with South Wales. The Horde and Warriors rounded out the fixture list. From the get go it quickly became apparent that there would be no ariel passing masterclasses this day. The strong wind and wet ball reduced the offensive attack of…
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Rookies Impact Pre-season Friendlies

Flag football returned to Chichester last weekend, with the Sharks hosting the Basingstoke Zombie Horde and Peter Symonds Sabres for friendlies. The Sharks, preparing for the 2012 season starting next month, got a chance to check out the new rookies who joined the club over the off-season. And if first impressions count, then the Sharks have strengthened their squad for the upcoming campaign. All four rookies - Ed Acton, Pete Busson, Tomele Geciauskas and Phil Morris - got on the score board in their first game, a 61-33 victory over the Sabres. In fact, Geciauskas made his mark immediately, picking off two errant Sabre passes, returning one for the score. All four had extensive playing time on both sides of the ball, with a number of veterans yet to return…
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Live in West Sussex or Hampshire and want to play Flag American Football?

Now's your chance. The Chichester Sharks are in pre-season training and on the look out for new players for the 2012 season. If you follow the NFL on TV and wonder what its like to play American Football then flag amercian football with the Chichester Sharks could be right for you. We play a 5-a-side version of the game on TV. No hitting, no blocking, but plenty of catching, running, tackling, scoring and fun. We're looking for new players, regardless of experience, just an enthusiasm to play. The first couple of training sessions are free, and its pretty cheap the rest of the way too. Training happens on Sunday mornings from 10 am to 1pm. Just get in touch and we'll let you know when the next training session is…
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The really, REALLY late round-up of the 2011 season

Okay, first up, yes this is a really late post - about 4 months late to be more precise. Let's just say, it's been busy, things got in the way. Anyway, as we're now getting into the preseason, we best wrap up last year. Qualifying for the playoffs It was a storyline for the ages. Sat at a disappointing 2-4-1, following 3 straight losses whilst conceding 40+ points a game, the Sharks needed to pretty much win out the rest of the way to qualify for the playoffs. 5 straight wins? With 4 of the opponents also in playoff contention? Hmmm The first step was taken with victories over Coventry Jets and Woodham Warriors in Coventry, in late July. Having been trounced by the Jets the month before, it was…
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Sharks bite back!

Faced with a make or break scenario, the Chichester Sharks did not disappoint. Needing two wins against two table-topping foes, the Sharks went toe-to-toe with one and romped over the other. With two wins under their belt, Chichester are now back in the playoff hunt. Having collapsed in last month's match-ups against Coventry Jets and London Rebels, it was imperative the Sharks rebounded to keep their hopes of a third successive playoff spot alive. Chichester Sharks vs Woodham Warriors With a full squad for the first time this season - bolstered by the return of former player/coach Dayle Kirby and receiver Simon Merton - the Sharks were finally able to break their duck against the Woodham Warriors. Having been on the wrong end of 5 consecutive close losses against Woodham…
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Updated: 2011 Player Statistics

For those interested in the numbers, the 2011 player statistics have been updated to reflect all four games of the season to date. Neil has started strong with a 5/1 TD/INT ratio. Adding to the points, his extra point conversion precentage is at an all time high of 71% (previous best 61% in 2010). Justin Handley is off to a great start in his quest to be the player with the greatest collection of stats, having joined Neil in the passing TD table, sitting at no.3 in receiving TDs, joint 1st in rushing TDs and leading the defense with 7 picks, including 1 for a score. Top of the receiving table is Luke Nash with an impressive 9 TD catches, followed by Lambo with 5. For the first time we…
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You win some…

The 350 mile round trip to Llanharan in Wales to play two top teams was never going to be easy. Nor was travelling with only 6 available players. Warming up in a gravel car park was a little unexpected too. That said, the Sharks fought hard, beating the Basingstoke Zombie Horde 53 - 31 in the opening match, before succumbing to the South Wales Warriors 48 - 25. Given the calibre of teams, a 1-1 result on the day was a positive. Interesting, the Horde also beat the Warriors by multiple scores to leave all three teams 1-1 on the day, which was fitting given the competitiveness but also odd as none of the score lines were close. The results left the conference table as follows, with Chichester in a…
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2011 BAFACL Opening Weekend: Kickoff Classic

The 2011 BAFACL flag season started with a bang this weekend, with 4 of the 6 teams in action, racking up 45+ points in their opening matches. Saturday saw the Chichester Sharks and London Rebels travel to new team, the Chiltern Fyrd. The rival Sharks and Rebels squared off first and set the tone for hopefully a competitive season. The teams were even for most of the first half, before the Sharks were able to capitalise on late Rebel turnovers to forge a 13 point lead going into the break. Unfortunately, the Sharks intensity slipped after halftime and they allowed the Rebels to quickly claw back the two scores. Responding to the surge, the Sharks stepped up their game and exchanged TDs with the Rebels before a heartbreaking long touchdown…
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2011 BAFACL Schedule Released

BAFA has released the schedule for the 2011 Flag Football season and there are some tasty match ups for the Sharks. Playing on 7 weekends between April and August, the schedule sees the Sharks making 3 trips to Coventry, once across the border into Cardiff, a day in London and a trip to new boys, Chiltern Fyrd in Luton. As is becoming a tradition, the Sharks complete the season with the final fixture in Chichester (no doubt followed by a BBQ!). For the full Sharks fixture list head over here
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