Calling All BUAFL Photographers!

BUAFL Blog is poised to launch a weekly competition to find the best photos of the weekends British University American Football action. So whether your an amateur photographer following his favourite team or a seasoned vet with an exceedingly large telephoto lens, send us some of your best photos each week for the chance to have them showcased on BUAFL Blog.

The pictures featured here were taken by former Staffordshire Stallions player Paul Briscoe. Paul has been following the Stallions this year as they attempt to reclaim the Northern Championship Title and take another shot at the Bowl. Spearheading their campaign offensive are Quarterback Ben Rowan (right) and explosive Running Back Edam Goka (left). You can see more of Pauls work at www.briscoephotography.co.uk

If you would like to get involved and have the chance to show off your American Football photo taking prowess please send up to 3 of you best shots from the previous weekends action to BUAFLBlog@gmail.com. The winners from BUAFL week 9's packed schedule will be featured next week!

Cheers,

BUAFL Blogger

BUAFL Predict-o-matic's Week 9 Predictions

South

Warwick Wolves (1-3) - Birmingham Lions (4-0)

This I think is a no brainer. The Wolves have struggled this year and I think will be in for a mauling here by the Lions who are looking to take the BUAFL trophy back to the den at the end of the season.

Portsmouth Destroyers (4-2) - Brighton Tsunami (3-1)

This is a TIGHT game. But after spending a few minutes studying their records and form, I have to go with the Tsunami here. They spent a lot of time in the off-season in Indonesia and I think it shows. The Destroyers were unimpressive against the Mariners but the Tsunami got the job done by easing 46 points over the leagues worst defence in preparation for this clash.

Bristol Barracuda (1-4) - Tarannau Aberystwyth (0-3)

Another tough one. Bristol showed their pedigree against BNU by putting up 48 points, and then last week scoring 4 times against a solid Cardiff team. Tarannau on the other hand have been the whipping boys of the division and I can't see it changing this week. They've travelled poorly and not put many on the board. Looks like Aber are more of a cough than a thunder this season.

Anglia Ruskin Phantoms (0-5) - Essex Blades (3-2)

I still can't get over the fact Essex toppled the champs. ARU haven't exactly lit up any of their games this year. Though they seem to be getting better. But I think this battle of the chavs will go the Essex Boys way. Expect the ARU QB to be found in Epping forest a few weeks later.

Bath Killer Bees (2-2) - Oxford Cavaliers (1-3)

After their surprising loss to BNU last week (on what I've heard was a mud fest) I expect a few Cavaliers to struggle to hear the plays this week as they are minus eardrums. PDM would have made his views very clear to them and they will be out to impress. Bath on the other hand were looking like playoff contenders until their slip up against Cardiff. But I expect them to come out and use their home advantage to go 3-2.

Kent Falcons (1-2) - UEA Pirates (3-2)

Kent have been unimpressive this year only beating ARU by 6. UEA on the other hand are 3-2. Which on the surface doesn't look great but considering their 2 losses have been against bowl contenders isn't too bad. Their offence is looking potent, and scored against both Herts and Soton. I expect them to shoot down the Falcons and keep their playoff hopes alive.

Plymouth Blitz (4-1) - UWE Bullets (3-1)

One of the most impressive Blitz teams for years are gunning for the playoffs and in their way stands the ever efficient Bullets. Though Plymouth have the better record the Bullets defence has riddled every offence they've come up against apart from the Lions. The Bullets offence has overpowered some mediocre defences but also put points on some impressive ones. For this reason I expect the Bullets to move to 4-1.

Surrey Stingers (2-2) - Greenwich Mariners (2-2)

Both teams have been up and down all year which makes this a hard game to predict. Greenwich have shown that they can score multiple TDs in all but one of their games. Whereas Surrey struggled against the Destroyers and the Tsunami. That is the reason why I'm going with the Mariners.

Southampton Stags (3-1) - Hertfordshire Hurricanes (4-0)

Tough, tough, tough. My first set of predictions and I have to predict this? Both teams have slaughtered the lower teams but the Stags have a blemish on their record. After that I expect Coach Thorpe to have drilled them into the floor and ridden them all Christmas. Coach Messenger will be looking for the number 1 spot this year and won't take this one lightly. I am going with home advantage and the fact the defending champions will not be letting their grasp on the trophy slip any further.

North

GCU Roughriders (1-2) - UT Cougars (3-1)

Teesside by default. The 1-0 win will certainly boost their record though the cougars are still licking the wounds from their slashing by Newcastle last week.

UWS Pyros (4-0-1) - Northumbria Mustangs (0-3)

I think Paul Blair's Mustangs will struggle again in this battle, and the Pyros will gain their 5th win of the year extending their lead over the other Scottish teams. The Pyros haven't been impressive in their wins but I believe it was Bill Cowher who said "So what if we win ugly?"

Liverpool Fury (0-3) - Leeds Celtics (2-1)

The fury have come in this year with Brad Pitt at the helm and managed to hold their own in a large division. They are 0-3 yes and 14 points in 3 games isn't exactly great, but the defence has done allot better than some of their fellow inductees. But this is the week I think they will be taken apart by the team that always seems to does well but never quite makes it all the way. Leeds offence was looking good until they were humbled by the Sabres before Christmas. This game is where they hope to show that it was just a glitch and that we can expect to see them in the playoffs.

Newcastle Raiders (4-0) - Glasgow Tigers (1-2)

The Raiders and their disgusting Double Wing have been infuriating teams with their supposedly boring style of play. I have to say........ I like it. It is a good thing this is an anonymous prediction as I would be expecting turd sandwiches to be posted to me. But no matter how much people hate it or complain about it. You can't deny it is a very very effective style. Also people forget that the defence is solid and they haven't even unwrapped their prized possession. I doubt he will be needed this game either as the once great Tigers will be raided and penned up in a Newcastle Zoo somewhere.

Sheffield Sabres (3-0) - Hallam Warriors (3-1)

The Steelbowl will have its normal high intensity, high crowds, high number of flags. But again I feel the urge to go with the Sabres on this one. The Warriors are like a little brother: just when they think they are big enough to finally beat their brother up, they find out he's been working out and can still whoop him.

Napier Mavericks (2-3) - Durham Saints (2-1-1)

Another case of a Scottish team hosting an English team trying to break the opinion of a weaker division. However, having not put many points on the board against Scottish opponents and having their defence questioned, I am going with the holy rollers of Durham.

Derby Braves (1-3) - Leicester Longhorns (0-3)

Another close game in my eyes. Both teams are not the greatest, but what doesn't help is that they have 2 northern powerhouses in their division. Leicester no matter, how many times they change their name, will still be the same Leicester team that seems to have a habit of losing. Have to go with Derby on this one.

UCH Sharks (1-2) - Huddersfield Hawks (1-2)

This has got to have been the hardest week to predict! 2 teams that have a problem scoring and a problem stopping the rot. Hudds are on a roll from their first program win last week. So I'm going to put my neck on the line here and say 2-2 for Hudds!

Nottingham Outlaws (3-2) - Loughborough Aces (2-1)

After their loss last week to Staffs, Notts will either bounce back stronger or take it to heart. Against a lower team I'd say they'd bounce back but against the Aces and their Ginger king i'm going to say that the Aces will keep biting at the Stallions heels.

Got a different opinion from the BUAFL Predict-o-matic? Have your say below!

BUAFL Results: Week 8

North

Huddersfield Hawks (1-2) 6 - Lancaster Bombers (1-3) 0
Sunderland Spartans (1-3) 30 - Napier Mavericks (2-3) 0
Staffordshire Stallions (4-0) 14 - Nottingham Outlaws (3-2) 6
Newcastle Raiders (4-0) 44 - UT Cougars (3-1) 0
GCU Roughriders - Northumbria Mustangs

South

BNU Buccaneers (1-4) 8 - Oxford Cavaliers (1-3) 6
Warwick Wolves (1-3) 0 - Reading Knights (3-2) 27
Plymouth Blitz (4-1) 42 - Tarannau Aberystwyth (0-3) 6
Greenwich Mariners (2-2) 20 - Portsmouth Destroyers (4-2) 16
Bath Killer Bees (2-2) 6 - Cardiff Cobras (4-1) 19
Brighton Tsunami (3-1) 46 - Royal Holloway Bears (0-6) 0
UEA Pirates (3-2) 47 - Anglia Ruskin Phantoms (0-5) 12

UWE Bullets 52 - Swansea Titans 8 (Friendly)

Newcastle continue to roll over every team put in front of them with their now infamous wing offence. Having not conceded a point yet they are looking like the team to beat in the North right now........Staffs also continued their unbeaten streak grinding out a win against the Outlaws and are looking in good shape at the top of the Conf 2 South.......With Cardiff beating Bath and Plymouth continuing to win things are wide open in Conf 3 south. Bath are not looking like the perennial play-off team they've been the last few years however......Brighton finished off the winless Bears by a margin. Next week could be important in determining who's making the play-offs from Conf 4 South, with Brighton playing Portsmouth and the Stags playing Herts......Finally from all accounts Swansea put up a good fight showing up with a large contingent and appearing well drilled. They should be a good addition to British Universities American Football League when they join the league fully next year.

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