BAFANL Adult Contact Week 1 Preview

And so it is finally here, the first weekend of Britball in 2012. We have eleven senior matches this weekend with some really good battles to be had. One of the key factors early in the season will be the league reshuffle, how will those division 2 teams that have been promoted find life in division 1? Equally how will Ipswich find life in the premiership? We will discover a lot about the performance difference between the different levels over the coming weeks.

14/04/2012 12:00
Bedfordshire Blue Raiders vs Peterborough Saxons – Div2 East

Both these sides come into this game with something to prove. The Blue Raiders finished 3-7 but that equated to a single victory after Norwich folded. There were some large losses along the way but they showed passion on the field and they do have something to build on coming into the season. Peterborough meanwhile went three and out last year. Problems with numbers caused them to pull out after three losses. They are back with a new and improved lineup and in a lower division as well. This matchup will tell us a lot about each teams’ preparations over the winter and hopefully both teams will exceed their 2011 campaigns.

14/04/2012 14:30
Milton Keynes Pathfinders vs Colchester Gladiators – Div2 East

This game will show any difference between a lower division 1 team and a playoff qualifying division 2 team. Colchester did not have a particularly strong season in a tough part of division 1. The Olympians, Thunder and Cardinals were well out in front and the remaining three teams were left fighting for scraps. Colchester started brilliantly though with a tie against Premiership newboys Ipswich but from there they struggled. Milton Keynes meanwhile got into the playoffs and had a good season to come third in their division. This should be a great and informative game on opening day.

Gloucester Centurions vs Bristol Apache – Div2 West

The newly renamed Centurions (previously Banshees) are seeking a new start as well. 2011 was tough for them as they went 0-9-1. It was Apache directly above them in the division though. This matchup is a great chance for each team to be able to show improvement as the season starts.

15/04/2012 14:30
Cambridgeshire Cats vs Sussex Thunder – Div1 Central and South

The Cambridgeshire Cats had about as mixed a season in 2011 as you can get. The side went 5-5 but barely got a streak going in either direction. In 2012 they will want to settle into a winning streak. That may prove hard from the start with their opener against Sussex Thunder who made the playoffs last season. Thunder were knocked out in the first round by Cats rival the Birmingham Bulls who Cambridgeshire themselves beat last June. This should be a great game between two closely matched teams.

Lincolnshire Bombers vs D C Presidents – Div2 Central

The Bombers had a troubled 2011 campaign and are looking for a new start that will see them climb higher in their division. They will fancy their chances with two new teams in the division. The DC Presidents meanwhile are back after several years of non-existance. They seem as prepared as a new team can be and would love to get a win here but the Bombers will not want to ease them in.

Dundee Hurricanes vs Carlisle Border Reivers – Div2 North

Carlisle were debutants last year and it was enjoyable watching the team grow as the season went on. Now the side are coming in with experience and should be fighting on an equal footing to the teams around them. Dundee do not make for easy first opponents though and after missing out on the playoffs thanks to a tight East division hey will be trying to come out of the blocks quickly. This matchup will show us the progress that Carlisle have made but it will be a tough ask for them to beat Dundee.

Maidstone Pumas vs Watford Cheetahs – Div2 East

Maidstone had their problems last year but persevered and ran several teams close. Their fighting spirit and a winter of improvement should make for a good 2012 campaign once their new head coach gets settled. Watford missed out on the playoffs last year in similar conditions to Dundee, Watford though were in the group of death with four teams finishing right at the top. Two of them have migrated upwards so Watford have a good chance if they can keep their composure.

Bristol Aztecs vs Ipswich Cardinals – Prem South

The only premiership matchup of the weekend sees last years third place team take on the newly promoted Ipswich. On first sight Ipswich may appear easy pickings for the premier teams after they lost in the first round of the playoffs but they put together a strong season last year in division 1 south with their losses being by close margins. They may not challenge the big boys this year but they aren’t going to roll over and die. Bristol had their problems last year but a strong second half of the year saw them make the playoffs. They know they need to step up to reach the London sides at the top but a win here would set them on the right track.

15/04/2012 15:00
Hampshire Thrashers vs Kent Exiles – Div1 Central and South

The Hampshire Thrashers went 3-7 in 2011 picking up wins where they could with three teams well out in front above them. Their division this year features three teams promoted in the re-shuffle from Division 2 so the Thrashers will fancy their chances of improving on last years results. The Kent Exiles are the first of the division 2 teams they will face. The Exiles made the playoffs last year as division 2 East champions but were beaten in the quarter finals by South Wales. The team is a good unit and should make this a very interesting fixture.

Nottingham Caesars vs Coventry Jets – Div1 North

2011 was a disaster for the Coventry Jets. In 2010 they were facing off against the London Blitz in Britbowl, last year they had to pull out with three matches to go. That has given them an opportunity to rebuild this year in division 1. If they can get back to pre-2011 form then they could be unbeatable at this level. The Caesars are no slouches but would rather not be the side to witness a rejuvenated Jets first. Last year they went 6-4 good enough for third in their division. This year represents a big change for them though as they take on the North, not Central division. How they adjust to new opponents will say a lot about their year.

Gateshead Senators vs Lancashire Wolverines – Div1 North

Lancashire had a fantastic season in division 2 last year. The Wolverines finished 9-1 in the regular season but fell in the semi-finals to South Wales. In the reshuffle they find themselves in division 1. Gateshead went 3-7 in 2011, a marker they will hope to improve on this year. This is another game that will show any performance difference between division 1 and division 2 sides.

Jonathan Little
http://www.bafanl.co.uk
@ukgridiron