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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The 2010 Chichester Sharks Season in Review

As is traditional this time of year, we have a chance to reflect on 2010. It was a challenging season for the Sharks, but a successful one. Our player numbers were a little lower than in previous years and we had a tough playing schedule, but through it all we preserved and produced our eighth consecutive winning season. Whilst there were many personal highlights for players – some mentioned below – 2010 was a season defined by teamwork. Some of our finest moments came in times of difficulty, whether it was winning with ironman football with 5 players against the Welsh or travelling away for 5 consecutive weekends for fixtures. So without further waffle, let’s get to the numbers that made up the 2010 Flag Football season… The Chichester Sharks…
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Chichester Sharks in Playoffs!

Needing a win to qualify for the playoffs, the Chichester Sharks did it in emphatic style beating the Coventry Jets 50-7 in their final regular season game. With Woodham Warriors (White) already qualified, four teams - Basingstoke, South Wales, London and Chichester - were fighting for the final two playoff places. After the Sharks' last two shockingly poor home games, it was essential that they came out and made a statement. And that they did. From the outset the Sharks controlled the game, playing aggressively on both sides of the ball. From the first through to the last score (8 TDs), the Sharks were dominant. If we had such an award, the player of the game would have to go to Justin Handley, who managed to score 4 TDs in…
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Sharks right ship, move to .500

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…
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Player Stats – Up to Game 2

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…
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Sharks stumbled early, drop two

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.…
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What’s in YOUR playbook?

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!
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Sharks #2 team in England, #4 in Britain

The Sharks travelled north on Saturday to take on the cream of British flag football in their first appearance at the BAFL Flag Finals Day. Having finished second in the English conference during the regular season, the Sharks were drawn to meet defending British champions and Scottish conference winners Kirkcaldy Bulls in the semi finals, held at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium. The Bulls proved formidable opponents, with a well-executed run option scheme and pin-point passing keeping the Sharks defence at bay, and the Scots notched up 3 TDs in the first half. The Sharks were a fingertip away from a score themselves, when QB Martyn Emmens spotted Simon Merton wide open in the end zone, only for a Bulls defender to scramble back and tip his pass away with the faintest…
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Sharks Qualify for Finals Day in Doncaster

A great season by the Sharks was rewarded with a place in the Semi-Finals yesterday, as the Rebels lost their final game against the Eagles and fell out of contention. London's lost meant that both they and the Sharks finished with 11-3 records on the season. However, with the head-to-head tiebreaker even at 1-1, the Sharks took the final place by merit of a 44-40 aggregate scoreline over the two fixtures this year. Chichester now join the first place Leicester Eagles as the English representatives at the BAFL Flag Finals Day in Doncaster next Saturday (5th Sept.). The two Scottish representatives are Kirkcaldy Bulls and the Carluke Cobras. Sharks will play the Bulls in the semi-final. We need the best squad available for the trip so please do everything you…
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Sharks dethrone Kings

UPDATED: Well done everyone that played day - it was a great way to end the season. For those not there, Sharks beat Kings 60-12 in a very good natured game. Thanks to St. Albans for making the trip and being good opponents. The regular season is now complete, and the Sharks finished with a 11-3 record. This leaves us either 2nd or 3rd in the table, subject to the Eagles/Rebels result next week. If we finish 2nd, the Sharks will be going to the playoffs. Whilst we only played 1 league match on the day, we crammed a lot into that 40 minutes. For a start, the Defense was awesome. The Kings completed 2 long passes to set up their only scores on the day, but other than that…
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