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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Unofficial BUAFL Podcast: Week 17

The week 17 Unofficial BUAFL Podcast with Steve Moore is now available here.

Once again Steve has a number of great guests on the show including Gareth Booth from the Bath Killer Bees (Challenge Trophy Champions), American Brett Wallace of the Newcastle Raiders (Conference 1 Champions) and Terry Mensah of the Loughborough Aces (Conference 2 Champions). To top it off Birmingham QB Tristan Varney rejoins the show after leading his Lions to a Southern title and a place in the Bowl.

BUAFL Predict-O-Matic's Week 17 Predictions

Loughborough Aces (8-2) @ Newcastle Raiders (10-0)

So it's down to the final 2 teams in the North. Nobody should be shocked to see these sides vying for a shot at the bowl, considering both their recent histories of success. I personally couldn't see the Aces beating a solid Stallions side and have paid the price with my 100% playoff record. Loughborough showed class and a hell of a lot of guts to see them through to this matchup. Perhaps most impressively they held stud RB Ed Goka to under 3 yards a carry. But the Raiders are a different kettle of fish and the question remains can the Aces replicate this success against Newcastle's potent and frustrating wing Offence.

On paper everyone should know how to stop the wing. It's teaching and drilling into players not bite until you locate the ball, to look for pulling lineman, keeping lower than normal in the middle and so on. I'm sure the Aces will know the theory of how to stop that explosive Newcastle offence, but if they decided to implement it will they be able to implement it in time? Another factor is the adjustments made by both teams. Newcastle are used to having their base offence slowed or shut down by the time the 2nd or 3rd quarter rolls around. Their strength lies in the adjustment they make on the fly, these are the changes that simply nullify defences. The bottom line is that almost every defence Newcastle have faced this season they've trumped.

So what the Predict-o-matic is trying to compute is whether the Loughborough coaches will try and implement a new run stop scheme adjusted to match the wing? Or simply stick with the set-up they are comfortable with and that worked so effectively against the vaulted Staffs run game?

Newcastle's defence was as stingy as ever last week. According to my robo-scout the Pyro's scores, though no doubt deserved, came late in the final quarter when the Raiders were playing 2nd and 3rd stringers. Therefore to my processor the game was as good as a shut-out. Loughborough's offence, on the other hand, surprised me, sustaining and finishing drives for so many scores against a solid defence. The Raiders are struggling for depth at the moment due to some unfortunate injuries which will come into play if this game goes to the line. But if the Raiders are as physically fit as all Coach Johnson's teams seem to be I can see them pulling through. However if the long season has finally caught up with them look for Loughborough to gain the upper hand.

In the end, perhaps inevitably, im going to say this will be a close game. But remember the Raiders will determined not to let another chance at the bowl slip through their finger after falling at the penultimate hurdle last year. This may well be the edge they need.

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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Conference Final Team Profile: Staffordshire Stallions

Last year the Stallions recorded the first perfect regular season in the teams history making it all the way to the inaugural BUAFL National Final. It was their second bowl appearance in 4 years and they have become a forced to be reckoned with in the North. Once again have strong Championship aspirations having retained most of the key players and coaching staff from last seasons campaign.

Nowhere is the Staff experience more conspicuous that on the Offensive line. Their starters have a wealth of college ball years between them and benefit from a strong understanding, having played may of these seasons together. Perennial Allstar and former GB Bulldogs Centre Pete Buckley is the bedrock of the line and also moonlights, wracking up tackles, on the defensive.

The Staffs line paves the way for a formidable running game, spearheaded by talismanic tailback Edam Goka. Goka continues to build upon an outstanding rookie season, setting and re-setting rushing records as he goes. The dynamic runningback is undeniably one of the hottest prospects in the league who's lightning speed simply carries him away from most defenders. He is also capable of cutting on a dime and shows a knack for finding running lanes. Detractors have pointed to a lack of size as a knock on his game, but is something that he will no doubt develop, especially in the BAFL summer seasons. The final piece of the Staffs rushing puzzle is George Furlong. The Great Britain FB is a superb lead blocker who also acts as the thunder to Goka's lighting contributing hard yardage. Furlonge's quickness makes him the perfect fullback for Goka as he does not have to slow his runs waiting for blocks to develop.

The Stallions aerial attack has been headed by vet Ben Rowan for the last three years during which time he has developed into a solid signal caller. The Quarterback benefits first and foremost from the Staff potent running game, taking advantage of defences overcompensating to stop the run. There aren't many QBs out there as adept at executing a play-fake as him.

The Stallions defensive units is just as grizzled as their offensive counterparts. Indeed the Dline is supplemented by a number of offensive players. This includes, notably, Buckley as well as Rob Pickerill who takes advantage of every inch of his 6ft 8 frame at Defensive end and can often be seen overwhelming opposition blockers. The linebacking core is as solid as ever and has conceded only 5 touchdowns in 9 games. This is a defence not to be taken lightly.

(Photos courtesy of Paul Briscoe)

Unofficial BUAFL Podcast: Week 16

The week 16 Unofficial BUAFL Podcast with Steve Moore is now available here. Highlights include interviews with Tristan Varney, the Rookie Quarterback sensation lighting it up with the Birmingham Lions, as well as with Jonathan Bastit of the UWS Pyros and Joe Chamberlin of the Newcastle Raiders ahead of their Conference final clash. Steve also discusses the first ever Challenge Trophy Final and makes his predictions for who he thinks will win in this game and the other fixtures around the league.

Conference Final Team Profile: Loughborough Aces

In their 20 year history, the Loughborough Aces have made the playoffs 17 times, boasting victories in 24 of their 38 post season games and claiming the National title 3 times. However, after the bowl defeat in 2007 and loss of the majority of their veterans, many would question whether the Aces of present still have what it takes to pose a serious threat to the BUAFL Championship.

None would dismiss that question quicker than Jason Scott. Jason, who had an illustrious playing career with the Aces between '98 and '05 took over the reigns as head coach in 2005. Since then he has set about solidifying a coaching team that includes several GB Lions players perhaps most notably Paul Sherratt, 2 time College Bowl MVP and inaugural member of the BCAFL hall of fame.

Loughborough's offence is lead by QB John Pimperton, who has gone from strength to strength under the guidance of Sherratt and gained confidence from his O-Line, the majority of which are first years. However Loughborough's offensive strength lies in it's run game which often sees tail back Yomi Okuboyejo rushing behind fellow GB Lions Sam Thompson and Patrick Harris. Loughborough's receiving corps deserves a mention with Jack Daley leading the Aces team for points, putting up double figures of touchdowns in the regular season.

The Aces defence is anchored by veteran and GB Lion Chris Peel, who's speed, size and versatility means he can make plays from any position on defence, whether it be defensive tackle or strong safety. Chris is supported by Matt Favell, another all round player adept at stopping the run. Lugbug's D-line is captained by Rob Batkin. Although small in stature, pound-for-pound Rob could very well be one of the best tackles in Conference 2. The secondary is lead by 4 year veteran Mike Thompson, who is as much of a threat coming up to stop the run as he is at defending the pass.

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(Photos courtesy of Still Sport Photography)