BUAFL Results: National Championship Final

BUAFL National Championship Final

Birmingham Lions (12-0) 42 vs Newcastle Raiders (11-1) 2

As the smoke cleared on Sunday evening it was the Birmingham Lions who emerged victorious, claiming the 2008/09 BUAFL National Championship Title. The Lions proved too much for the Newcastle Raiders as they cruised to a comprehensive win. Their potent offence wasn't phased by the occasion or impressive record of the Raiders D, as they ate up yardage through both the the arm of rookie sensation Tristan Varney and running of Bowl MVP Mark Smith, on route to 6 touchdowns. Newcastle's methodical Double Wing struggled to keep the Raiders in touch as the well matched up Lions defence sought to do what it does best and shut down the run. The Raiders broke their scoring deadlock by returning a blocked extra point in the 4th Quarter, a testament to the fact that they kept fighting right up to the final whistle. It marks an impressive finale to the season for this unbeaten Lion's squad and especially Head Coach Tony Athersmith who has now brought the National Title back to Birmingham in only his second season in charge.

With this victory the South's Championship winning streak is further extended and a Southern team has now claimed the previous 6 National Titles. The North's last victory came back in 2003 when the Clansmen edged the 'Canes 22-17. Look for the North to try and win back some pride in the MVP game in a few weeks time.

Well the Predict-O-Matic backed the right horse in this (Grand) National Championship (as well as our guest predictor The All Seeing I) although was off with the scoreline as well as his pick for MVP, which went to Brum running back Mark Smith. As the season reaches its end we break down the 'Matic's record:

National Championship: 1-0 (100%)
Challenge Trophy Final: 1-0 (100%)
Playoffs: 15-1 (94%)
Regular Season: 60-10 (85%)

Total: 72-11 (87%)

I think we can safely say it was a successful year for the 'Matic and its not over yet as it will be back to make its pick for the BUAFL MVP game. Indeed although this was the final game of the BUAFL season we've still got lots to come here at the BUAFL Blog. We'll be rounding things off with some great articles including extensive coverage of the BUAFL MVP game as well as handing out some end of season awards. Watch this space.

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BUAFL Results: Week 17

North

Northern Final: Loughborough Aces (8-3) 14 @ Newcastle Raiders (11-0) 30

Only a single fixture in BUAFL week 17 but with a place in the Bowl at stake it doesn't really get more important than this. The Northern Final promised to provide a great contest between the red hot Loughborough Aces and a dominant but perhaps untested Newcastle Raiders side. It lived up to its billing with the game going all the way to the wire after the 4th quarter started 14-14. It was the Raiders who prevailed however, punching in two late touchdowns to leave the final score slightly flattering. With the win Newcastle claim the Northern Title, finally banishing the ghosts of last years loss to Staffs in the same fixture. They now march on to face the Birmingham Lion in Leeds in what should be a fascinating clash of tough defences and contrasting offensive styles.

Just one to call for the Predict-O-Matic:

Overall: 1-0 (100%)

1 of 1 and the 'Matic can breath a sigh of relief. Only the big game remains and the 'Matic will be determined to build on his solid playoff percentage and finish the season on a high. The BUAFL Blog poll currently stands 60% favour of the Lions to win, check back later this week to see if the Predict-O-Matic agrees!

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BUAFL Results: Week 16

North

Conference Final: UWS Pyros (8-1-1) 12 @ Newcastle Raiders (10-0) 50
Conference Final: Loughborough Aces (8-2) 26 @ Staffordshire Stallions (9-1) 24

South

Southern Final: Southampton Stags (9-2) 7 @ Birmingham Lions (11-0) 13

Challenge Trophy Final

Challenge Trophy Final: Sheffield Hallam Warriors (7-3) 8 vs Bath Killer Bees (7-3) 13

Well BUAFL Week 16 certainly lived up to the hype as the season reaches its crescendo.....That started with many peoples game of the week, with last years Champions the Stags making the trip to face the unbeaten Lions. What it lacked in points it made up for with drama as Birmingham held off a late Stags surge to book their place in the Bowl. The Lions now have and extra week of preparation and well deserved rest which may only add weight to their label as favourites to take the Title home.....The Conference 2 Final was even closer as the visiting Aces won by just 2 points against the Stallions at the Stables. It was a dramatic turn around from their 31 - 8 loss to Staffs earlier in the year and a testament to the strong vein of form Loughborough have hit as it comes to the business end of the season. The Aces are red hot right now and primed for what should be a scorching Northern Final.....The Raiders refused to conform this week, bucking the trend of close games by putting 50 on a weary Pyros team. Its hard to gauge exactly where they are in terms of form right now after whats arguably been a soft late regular season and post season schedule. What certainly wont be in any doubt is their desire to get a shot at the Bowl after coming so close last year.....Finally, Bath wrote their names in the history books by winning the inaugural BUAFL Challenge Trophy after a hard fought victory against the Warriors. It leaves the score at South 1 - North 0 for the moment with the all important National Championship around the corner. Its definitely nice to see another team walk away with silverware and i think the Challenge format will be a real asset to the league in coming years, giving more teams something to aim for as the regular season draws to a close.

Lets see how the Predict-o-matic fared with just 4 fixtures to call:

Overall: 3-1 (75%)

You could argue that with so many close games 3 in 4 isn't a bad score. I doubt the 'Matic will see it that way, however, and no doubt will be checking and double checking his calculations for the lone matchup of week 17. Check back on Wednesday to see who he thinks will be representing the North in the National Final.

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BUAFL Results: Week 15

North

Playoff Round 1: Glasgow Tigers (4-5) 0 @ Newcastle Raiders (9-0) 14
Playoff Round 1: Durham Saints (4-4-1) 6 @ UWS Pyros (8-0-1) 18
Playoff Round 1: Leeds Celtics (6-3) 6 @ Staffordshire Stallions (9-0) 27
PlayoffRound 1: Loughborough Aces (7-2) 21 @ Sheffield Sabres (7-2) 7
Challenge Trophy Semi-Finals: Sunderland Spartans (4-4-1) 6 @ Hallam Warriors (7-2) 13

South

Conference Final: UWE Bullets (8-2) 12 @ Birmingham Lions (10-0) 58
Conference Final: Hertfordshire Hurricanes (8-2) 17 @ Southampton Stags (9-1) 20
Challenge Trophy Round Semi-Finals: Bath Killer Bees (6-3) 38 @ Essex Blades (6-3) 9

Another week rolls past as we edge closer to the big event in Leeds....UWE simply couldn't match the Lions firepower as they roared to a 46 point victory by both air and land...The Stags/'Canes rematch was as close as billed but it was the Stags that prevailed, keeping their composure to grab the winning score deep in the fourth quarter. They now face a trip into the Den in what will be a thrilling clash of two hungry Southern powerhouses in great form.....The Killer Bees showed their class brushing Essex aside to set up a final against Hallam in the first part of this seasons answer to the eternal question "whos better: the North or the South?"....The Aces put the Sabres to the sword and now take aim at the Stallions who dumped Leeds out of the Playoffs for the third time in four years. In the regular season it was a one sided affair that finished will Staffs on top 31-8. The Aces will have revenge on their minds after their late season resurgence....The Raiders vaulted defence shut out the Tigers and face the final Scottish team standing, the Pyros, in the Conference Championship after they sent the Saints home singed. There hasn't been much talk about the Raiders since the end of the regular season so look for them to try and reignite themselves as the team to watch in North.

Lets see how the Predict-o-matic did this week:

South: 3-0
North: 5-0
Overall: 8-0 (100%)

So everything finally clicks and the 'Matic secures the elusive 100% record! With more time to analyse each game it will be hoping to continue the streak into week 16 but will have tough time trying to separate many of the teams. Check back this Wednesday to see what it comes up with!

BUAFL Results: Week 14

South

PO Round 1: Cardiff Cobras (7-2) 6 v Birmingham Lions (9-0) 40
PO Round 1: Reading Knights (5-4) 6 v UWE Bullets (8-1) 8
PO Round 1: UEA Pirates (6-3) 13 v Southampton Stags (8-1) 40
PO Round 1: Greenwich Mariners (5-4) 0 v Hertfordshire Hurricanes (8-1) 30
Tarannau Aberystwyth (1-7) 12 v BNU Buccaneers (1-7) 6

North
Hallam Warriors (6-2) 41 v Loughborough Aces (6-2) 15
Leeds Celtics (6-2) 12 v Staffordshire Stallions (8-0) 26
Sheffield Sabres (7-1) 10 v Liverpool Fury (1-7) 6
Sheffield Sabres (7-1) 30 v Lancaster Bombers (1-7) 6
Stirling Clansmen (2-5) v Sunderland Spartans (4-3) ?
Lincoln Colonials (2-5) v Derby Braves (4-3)

Although Reading had shown improvement towards the end of the season im not sure anyone was expecting them to push UWE so close. A combination of bad weather and some Bullets injuries certainly helped their cause but that shouldn't take away from an impressive turn around from their 74-0 opening day loss.....Brum snuffed out any hint of an upset against Cardiff early, and remin many peoples pick for the National Title.... The Stags and Canes also won comfortably to set up a clash of the conference 4 titans this weekend. With both teams boasting impressive lineups on either side of the ball, we will see who gains this seasons Conference bragging rights.....Hallem showed their metal putting 41 points on the Aces but will have to settle for a shot at the Challenge Cup after the Sabres took Conf 2 North. This division has proved to be a pretty formidable division this season.....The Stallions pulled away from the Celtics in the first of their back to back meetings, with more on the line in the Playoffs the rematch will only be more interesting....Finally the strange outcome of the Clansmen/Spartans game has had many up in arms with the league apparently coming together soon to decide the playoff fate of Sunderland and Durham.

Lets see how the Predict-o-matic did this week:

South - 5-1
North - 3-1
Overall - 8-2 (80%)

Theres life in the Predict-o-matics yet it seems. Tune in to see if it can prove its metal as we come to the business end of the season. Check back this Thursday to see who it fancies as the playoffs continue in BUAFL Week 15.

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BUAFL Results: Week 13

South

Cardiff Cobras (7-1) 26 v Warwick Wolves (2-6) 0
Tarannau Aberystwyth (0-7) 0 v UWE Bullets (7-1) 61
Oxford Cavaliers (1-7) 6 v Plymouth Blitz (5-3) 14
Bath Killer Bees (5-3) 40 v Bristol Barracuda (2-6) 0
Reading Knights (5-3) v Birmingham Lions (8-0)

North

Sheffield Sabres (5-1) 30 v UCH Sharks (1-6) 0
Leeds Celtics (6-1) 14 v Huddersfield Hawks (3-4) 0
Lancaster Bombers (1-6) 12 v Loughborough Aces (6-1) 22
Durham Saints (4-3-1) 2 v Newcastle Raiders (8-0) 44
Sunderland Spartans (4-3) 12 v Glasgow Tigers (3-4) 6
Nottingham Outlaws (4-4) 20 v Lincoln Colonials (2-4) 0
Hallam Warriors (5-2) v UCH Sharks (1-6)

Bath finished the regular season on a high and now look forward to the inaugural Challenge Trophy, which they should have a great shot at winning....Cardiff did their part, soundly beating the Wolves, but unfortunately the Bullets were unphased by the long way trip to Aber, even despite breaking down in the Welsh wilderness. Cardiff now face a rested Brum side in what should be a gritty game of football....Glasgow fell in the battle of the 3-3's meaning they need a win at Stirling this week to guarentee a trip to Newcastle, who once again head into the playoffs with an unblemished record....The Celtics, Sabres and Warriors all chalked up wins this week (in one way or another) so theres still everything to play for in Conf 2 North. The Celtics/Stallions and Warriors/Ace matchups would be good games any day of the week but with so much at stake they could turn out to be epic encounters.

Let see if the Predict-O-Matic came up trumps or if its in need of a good kicking and some oil:

North - 5-1
South - 5-0
Overall - 10-1 (91%)

It would have been nice to end the season with a perfect week, but it was Sunderland, not Nottingham, who ruined the 'Matics calculations this time around. With fewer games to call perhaps we'll see a 100% record in week 14.

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BUAFL Results: Week 12

South

Kent Falcons (2-6) 24 - Anglia Ruskin Phantoms (1-7) 14
Birmingham Lions (7-0) 60 - Oxford Cavaliers (1-6) 0
Southampton Stags (7-1) 45 - Portsmouth Destroyers (4-4) 0
Hertfordshire Hurricanes (7-1) 57 - Brighton Tsunami (4-4) 14
Cardiff Cobras (6-1) 20 - Tarannau Aberystwyth (0-6) 0
Reading Knights (5-2) 55 - BNU Buccaneers (1-6) 8
Surrey Stingers (2-6) 8 - Essex Blades (6-2) 14
Warwick Wolves (2-5) 12 - Bath Killer Bees (4-3) 26

North

Huddersfield Hawks (3-3) 0 - Sheffield Sabres (4-1) 46
Hallam Warriors (4-2) 12 - Leeds Celtics (5-1) 19
Loughborough Aces (4-1) 47 - UCH Sharks (1-4) 0
Derby Braves (3-3) 27 - Nottingham Outlaws (3-4) 0
Leicester Longhorns (1-6) 0 - Staffordshire Stallions (7-0) 20
Sunderland Spartans (3-3) 8 - Northumbria Mustangs (1-7) 0
Liverpool Fury (1-6) 30 - Lancaster Bombers (1-5) 20
Napier Mavericks (3-5) 0 - UWS Pyros (7-0-1) 36
Glasgow Tigers (3-3) 34 - UT Cougars (4-4) 6

QB Tristan Varney continues to impress in his stellar rookie year, leading Birmingham's potent offence to their 7th win of the season with 5 TDs....Reading have improved dramatically since their opening day drubbing by UWE and are on course for an interesting rematch of this fixture in the playoffs....After coming out victorious in the Welsh Bowl Cardiff will be hoping the Bullets slip up on the long away trip to Tarannau so they can avoid the Big Blue Lion....The Sabres bought the Hawks run of form to a shuddering halt as they seek to prove their still a force to be reckoned with. The Conf 2 north title is now theirs to loose with winnable games ahead....Leeds are also in the running after winning in my game of the week against Hallam. Their final week match up against the Stallions will be a great game....Talking of which the Stallions perhaps didn't put up the points they were expected to against the Longhorns who are bottom of Conf 2 south....The Tigers snatched second place in Conf 1 north after a convincing win against the fading Cougars and the Mavericks loss to conference Champions the UWS Pyros....Finally the young Liverpool Fury team gained their first BUAFL win in the clubs history in a hard fought contest against the Bombers. Let see if the Predict-O-Matic was all systems go this week:

North - 7-2
South - 8-0
Overall - 15-2 (87%)

A perfect record in the South and a decent score in the North equals another accurate week. Check back later this week to see if its calculations will add up in BUAFL Week 13!

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BUAFL Results: Week 11

South

UEA Pirates (5-2) 26 - Surrey Stingers (2-5) 0
Greenwich Mariners (5-3) 2 - Hertfordshire Hurricanes (6-1) 44
Cardiff Cobras (5-1) 55 - Plymouth Blitz (4-3) 14
Anglia Ruskin Phantoms (1-6) 38 - Royal Holloway Bears (0-7) 12
Tarannau Aberystwyth (0-5) 0 - Birmingham Lions (6-0) 90
Reading Knights (4-2) 20 - Oxford Cavaliers (1-5) 0
BNU Buccaneers (1-5) 20 - Warwick Wolves (2-4) 25
Essex Blades (5-2) 20 - Kent Falcons (1-6) 14
Southampton Stags (6-1) 65 - Brighton Tsunami (4-3) 18
Bath Killer Bees (3-3) 0 - UWE Bullets (6-1) 12

North

UT Cougars (4-3) 0 - UWS Pyros (6-0-1) 8
Liverpool Fury (0-6) 20 - Leicester Longhorns (1-4) 24
Lincoln Colonials (2-3) 0 - Staffordshire Stallions (5-0) 73
Newcastle Raiders (7-0) 66 - Northumbria Mustangs (0-6) 0
Leeds Celtics (4-1) 16 - Lancaster Bombers (1-4) 0
Glasgow Tigers (2-3) 34 - Durham Saints (4-2) 6
Hallam Warriors (4-1) - Loughborough Aces (3-1)
Sheffield Sabres (3-1) - UCH Sharks (1-3)

It was a good day for teams north of the border with UWS Pyros continuing their strong run of form and the Tigers apparently just finding theirs, although it might be to little to late....Newcastle and Staffs remain unbeaten and their defences look solid....The Bee's offence spluttered in the face of UWEs swarming defence which forced a number of costly turnovers. The Bullets made it hard for themselves though, giving up over 100 yards in penalties and leaving it until the 4th quarter to put the game out of sight....Cardiff seem to have grabbed the other playoff spot in conf 3 south with a decisive win over Plymouth....Southampton showed that there still top dogs in conf 4 south by a long way....Brum continue their aggressive scoring strategy piling the points on Tarannau. They lead the league in scoring by a margin.

Lets see how the Predict-o-matic did this week:

North - 9-1
South - 4-2
Overall - 13-3 (81%)

The Predict-o-matics shaken that ice from it circuits and looks back to its best. Check the site later this week to see who it fancies in BUAFL Week 12.

BUAFL Results: Week 10

North

Liverpool Fury (0-4) 12 - Huddersfield Hawks (3-2) 28
UT Cougars (4-2) 22 - Sunderland Spartans (2-3) 36
Northumbria Mustangs (0-5) 0 - Napier Mavericks (3-4) 7
Nottingham Outlaws - Lincoln Colonials
Leeds Celtics - Staffordshire Stallions
Hallam Warriors - UCH Sharks
Lancaster Bombers - Sheffield Sabres
Glasgow Tigers - Stirling Clansmen
Loughborough Aces - Leicester Longhorns

South

Southampton Stags (5-1) 40 - Surrey Stingers - (2-4) 0
UWE Bullets (5-1) 46 - Bristol Barracuda - (2-5) 0
Brighton Tsunami (4-2) 0 - Greenwich Mariners - (4-2) 19
Kent Falcons - Hertfordshire Hurricanes
Oxford Cavaliers - Plymouth Blitz
UEA Pirates - RH Bears
Tarannau Aberystwyth - BNU Buccaneers
Cardiff Cobras - Warwick Wolves
Reading Knights - Birmingham Lions

In keeping with the spirit of last weeks events, the Week 10 BUAFL results post reaches you a bit late! The horrible weather had big implications and led to loads of games being cancelled. It will be interesting to see how many actually get played considering many teams will have their rain week already booked.....Snow was thick on the ground for the Bristol Varsity game and was at early risk of being cancelled despite the 3G. None the less the Bullets rode star back Mike Adams to the win as he ploughed his way to 4 TDs and well over 200 yards on just over 10 carries. The game against Bath next week will make or break UWEs playoff hopes.....Greenwich's somewhat surprising win over Brighton makes things even murkier in Conf 4 South with 3 teams now fighting for the Playoffs behind the Stags. If the Tsunami upset the Stags next week things could get even more interesting......Huddersfield continued their winning streak with a win over the Pool and would love to end the season with a winning record.....Finally the Predict-o-matic was right when it said that the score in the Spartans - Cougars game was going to be closer than the records suggested. It didn't go so far as to predict the upset however, which is exactly what happened with Sunderland pulling out a great win.

Lets see how the Predict-o-matic fared with the rest of its scores:

North - 2-1
South - 2-1
Overall - 4-2 (67%)

Well it was always going to be hard to follow a near perfect week, and it seems that the cold might have got to the Predict-o-matics circuits! Check back later this week to see if it can get back on form in BUAFL Week 11!

BUAFL Results: Week 9

North

Derby Braves (2-3) 21 - Leicester Longhorns (o-4) 14
Newcastle Raiders (5-0) 14 - Glasgow Tigers (1-3) 12
UWS Pyros (5-0-1) 48 - Northumbria Mustangs (0-4) 0
Nottingham Outlaws (3-3) 0 - Loughborough Aces (3-1) 8
Napier Mavericks (2-4) 8 - Durham Saints (3-1-1) 45
Sheffield Sabres (3-1) 14 - Hallam Warriors (4-1) 21
UCH Sharks (1-3) 20 - Huddersfield Hawks (2-2) 22

South

Bristol Barracuda (2-4) 54 - Tarannau Aberystwyth (0-4) 8
Portsmouth Destroyers (4-2) 0 - Brighton Tsunami (4-1) 3
Bath Killer Bees (3-2) 66 - Oxford Cavaliers (1-4) 6
Anglia Ruskin Phantoms (0-6) 0 - Essex Blades (4-1) 20
Kent Falcons (1-3) 6 - UEA Pirates (4-1) 44
Warwick Wolves (1-4) 6 - Birmingham Lions (5-0) 70
Surrey Stingers (2-3) 0 - Greenwich Mariners (2-2) 8
Southampton Stags (4-1) 19 - Hertfordshire Hurricanes (4-1) 7
Plymouth Blitz (4-2) 0 - UWE Bullets (4-1) 1

This weeks results feature some close, close games....Im not sure many people were expecting Glasgow to push the Raiders that close, but Newcastle ground out the win. Now their D has finally been breached will the floodgates open? Im not so sure......In a frosty Steel Bowl the upstart, younger Sheffield side claimed this seasons bragging rights....Brum put up another huge score on woeful Warwick....UEA and Essex are now neck and neck, vying for a playoff place behind Herts....The Stags came out victorious in the Southern match up of the week but it wasn't as free scoring as many believed it would be......The other important fixture in Conf 4 South was another defensive battle that saw the Tsunami overcome the Destroyers by only a FG.....Plymouths decision to forfeit has been met with hostility on the Unofficial forum. It seems a strange move on Plymouths part considering they are having their best season for a while.

Finally we have a chance to review how the Predict-o-matic fared this week:

North - 6-1
South - 9-0
Overall - 15-1 (94%)

Looks like its off to a flying start! Check back later this week to see who it cranks out to win in Week 10!

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.