Further Progress with UK Women’s Flag Football - Hybrid Vs Cougars

Sunday 7^th April 2013

On what seemed like the first weekend of actual spring weather (with no snow in sight) the Coventry Cougars faced the Hybrid team in an all-female fuelled tournament at Coventry Memorial Park. Honours were shared as the well-organised Cougars won 30-0 in the first game, but a quick change in tactics on offense meant the Hybrid avenged their loss, winning 20-6 in the second.

Becca Haw MVP makes a tackle for the Cougars

The Hybrid side mixed the talents of four different teams; Coventry Jets, Coventry SU, Portsmouth SU and the Warwick Wolverines. With several players from the EWP (Elite Women’s Project) representing in both teams the matches were set to be a good watch!

AFL Week 4 Preview

Saturday 13th April

Raiffesien Vikings (1-0) @ Swarco Raiders (1-0) - 13:30 GMT

Last year's two finalists lock horns for the first time this season and there's no doubt that it's going to be a juicy affair as the Raiders will be looking to exact revenge for last year's loss in the final whilst the Vikings will be looking to put pressure on their closest rivals by dealing them a loss at home in Innsbruck.

Both teams have now been off for two weeks and thus have had plenty of time to prepare for what the other team has to offer, but seeing as both team's opening games were done deals early on in the game, I don't think either side has tipped their hand yet and really shown what they have in their playbooks. Hopefully, these two weeks off have allowed for both sides to add a little extra spice into their play calling this week. 

Possible the biggest home fixture of the year for the Swarco Raiders.
© Florian Schellhorn from www.footballpics.info

The Vikings will be looking to their high powered offence to get the job done on the road whilst the Raiders will be wanting their defence to perform a lot better than last year's final when the shipped 48 points. As with any matchup between two quality teams the final result is likely to come down to who capitalises most off of turnovers when handed that extra possession. Both team's offences have the ability to put up points in a hurry as demonstrated in week 1, but can they keep the ball safe when it matters?

Shamrock Bowl Conference Scoring Charts

With a superb weekend in the SBC where all games were played there's been some shake up in the scoring charts. 

Will Mckelvey add to his tally when Belfast take the field on Sunday? - photo by Nathan James Sharrocks

BAFANL: National Division Power Rankings

The National Division should be interesting across the board this year. The likes of Gateshead, Solent (previously Hampshire) and Shropshire coming in from the old Division 1 and the likes of Farnham and Leicester taking up their berths after time in the old Premiership divisions provide plenty of talent and experience.

However every team will be looking to show what they are about and will have targets set on the "big boys". So without further ado we give you our preseason Power Rankings:

BAFANL Premiership North Pre-Season Power Rankings

Just like London buses, our Power Rankings come two at a time! You've already seen the south, so now it's time for everyone from Birmingham and above. With a number of new teams in the mix, EKP will be hoping for more than six games this season! 

1. East Kilbride Pirates

We'll go on record with this now - only an act of God will stop the Pirates waltzing to the divisional title. The strength of their travelling squad is the only question mark over a team that most would consider to be the third best team in UK football.