BUAFL Predictions Rivalry Week Special: Northern

Leeds Carnegie @ Leeds Celtics

With Carnegie winning in a close affair last year, the Celtics will be looking for retribution. The Celtics have a varied offence, which is a complete contrast to Carnegie’s one dimensional flexbone. When it comes to defence, the met boys are head and shoulders above their cross city rivals. Watch out for Jon Hurley and Danny Wardell spearheading a well drilled Carnegie linebacker core which as well as reading and reacting to the run quickly, can also cover any deep passes thrown their way.

If Leeds Celtics want to win this one, they will have to find a way to score on one of the toughest defences in the country. This will be a serious challenge for an offence that failed to score on both Hallam and Bradford.

Carnegie in a 21 point shut-out

Exclusive Interview with Hallam Warriors RB Danny Pyle

Ahead this Sundays Steel Bowl match-up between the Sheffield Sabres and the Hallam Warriors, Double Coverage spoke to one of the fixtures main protagonists – Sheffield Hallam running back Danny Pyle.

Pyle currently leads the BUAFL league with over 1,000 yards rushing already this season in just four games. In addition, this season he has broken both the record for touchdowns and total yardage in a single game – racking up 310 yards and 7 touchdowns in just 17 carries against the Huddersfield Hawks.

 Danny Pyle sporting the new Hallam headwear.

During his time with the Warriors, he has won two Conference titles and helped his team to last year’s National semi-final, where Hallam lost to the eventual winners – Portsmouth Destroyers by a single score (8-0).

But there is one thing which the third year veteran and offensive captain has yet to achieve – a National title, something he hopes to rectify this season!

 =================================================================================

BUAFL Predictions Rivalry Special: TVC

Portsmouth Destroyers @ Solent Redhawks

Portsmouth have shown the same form as their dominating championship season last year, with a bruising offence that grinds opposing defence into dust and eats up the clock and a defence that ranks as one of the best in teh BUAFL. It doesn't look like anyone will be putting up a challenge for head coach Russ Hewitt and company until the last game of the season against the rejuvenated Stags, which will most likely decide who top the TVC.

On the flipside Solent have had a season to forget. After a superb season last year where they blazed into the challenge trophy they have simply failed to kick on in one of the tougher divisions. A big loss to the stags could have been expected, but the losses to Reading and OBU both came as a surprise and they only just beat Brunel in a close game.

This game would have been much harder to call last year (even though it did end up a 22-0 shut out to Pompey) when Solent looked like they could put up a real fight, but this years cross river rivalry looks a little easier to predict.

Destroyers by three scores

Imperial Immortals @ OBU Panthers

The battle for the post season starts to heat up in the second half of the season as both these teams sit at 3-1 behind the imperious Stags and Destroyers and will look to solidify their post season claims early. OBU depend on a strong running game led by Running back Jay Smith-Fraser and a ncie little pop pass to the TE to mvoe their offence down the field.

Imperial also have a strong running game with Tino Millar toting the rock for the wannabe Stormtroopers. Their 3-5 defence has been beset by injuries recently, so they may struggle to stop the OBU run game and if you can't stop the run in this division you will be in trouble!

OBU to win by 2 scores

Borders

Apologies for the shortness of the Borders predictions, however we have no Borders writers on our staff at the moment! This shouldn't be a big problem this weekend as the appaling weather in the UK will probably see a majority of these games called off.

Edinburgh Predators @ EN Knights

EN Knights by 1 score

Glasgow Tigers @ UWS Pyros

Glasgow by 4 scores

Northumbria Mustangs @ Durham Saints

Northumbria by 3 scores

Sunderland Spartans @ Newcastle Raiders

Newcastle by 6 scores

If you are interested in writing for the borders division please contact us at dblcoverage@hotmail.co.uk