NAME

#

TEAM

CODE

Q

OFFENCE

SUSPENDED

New this week

Dylan Hibbert

5

Canterbury Chargers

FPF

1

Player head butted an Essex player after shouting in his face.

22/11/15 v Oxford Lancers

Jake Hazlehurst

74

Manchester Tyrants

FGT

4

After play was over Tryants #74 traded punches with prostrate Eagles #52

22/11/15 v Leeds Celtics

Tom Fields

52

MMU Eagles

FGT

4

After play was over, Eagles #52 traded punches with Tyrants #74.

22/11/15 v York Centurions

Deon Murray-Hendrickson

25

Kingston Cougars

FGT

2

Player threw a punch at an opponent after the play was over.

29/11/15 v Bath Killer Bees

Christopher Williams

21

UH Sharks

FPF

4

After the ball had become dead, player threw a punch at an opposing player that connected with his helmet.

22/11/15 v Huddersfield Hawks

Benjamin Sogunle

22

Northampton Nemesis

FPF

4

On the last play of the game a Northampton player intercepted the pass while on the ground, the player rose to his feet and seemed to be starting to run when he was tackled by a DMU player. Northampton #22 took offence at this and charged into the DMU player forcibly and from behind.

29/11/15 v Leicester Longhorns

Not on Roster

12

DMU Falcons

FPF

4

In retaliation to the event above, DMU #12 forcible launched himself at Northampton #22. Subsequently he was found not to appear on the DMU roster

22/11/15 v Coventry Jets

Previous weeks – none

HOME TEAM

REPORT

NEXT HOME GAME

New this week

UCH Sharks

The 100yd Field was probably one of the best I've seen at a university venue, the only lines that were missing 9 Yard Marks. The Chain Crew were rather slow to react to first down situations but got there in the end.

Chris Jarvis #10

29/11/15 v Leeds Beckett

Bristol Barracuda

The lines were generally worn and faint, in some places they were non-existent. Although short lines were marked at the inbounds mark they were missing on the side-lines. Advised Game Management that this was now mandatory. However, as they only hire the facilities they have limited powers to get additional markings applied. Although this was their second home game it is the first one held at this facility. Could you please advise what action should be taken if in future they fail to have hash marks along the side line. The stake for the down box had obviously been broken in the past and was too short. The assistant raised the box on each change of down so that it could be seen from the opposite side line.

Julian Mallia #336

29/11/15 v Bath Spa Bulldogs

Northumbria Mustangs

Game K.O delayed 25 minutes to allow arrival of approved medical cover which had gone to the wrong venue. No 9 Yard marks, NFL style hash marks, 8 yard end zones.

Ian Cubitt #457

06/12/15 v Newcastle Raiders

City Sentinels

80 yard field, marked in mainly blue with some white markings present. Changing rooms not lockable.

Phil Clarke #262

29/11/15 v Westminster Dragons

Sussex Saxons

Game started 5 minutes late because we were again awaiting for the team to provide chain crew and ball boys. Field well marked but was very muddy by the end of the game and lines began to disappear. Both teams conducted themselves very professionally and are a credit to the league - just wish we could get these game management provide the assistance issues sorted

David Knight #135

07/02/16 v Brighton Tsunami

Kingston Cougars

Well marked field missing 3 yard marks and with numbers at incorrect depth. Team areas marked with cones. Goals had been blown perpendicular to the end line by strong winds. Plaudits to game management for their simple and effective solution. Balls supplied were all under inflated. Problems with rectifying this and supplying officials' assistants lead to the KO being delayed by 10 minutes.

Tim Ockendon #481

13/12/15 v Imperial Immortals

Worcester Royals

Changing rooms very dirty with no lights. Field excellently marked.

Jed Brookes-Lewis #395

06/12/15 v NTU Renegades

Sheffield Sabres

Field of play 80 yards - no formal team areas marked but other marking utilised.

Richard Whitby #133

13/12/15 v UCH Sharks

MMU Eagles

Field marked with 3 yard end zones. Field shortened by rule to use 5yd line as GL

Andrew Lovell #559

29/11/15 v York Centurions

Essex Blades

Team area marked only by cones. PAT spot incorrectly marked at the 2 yard line.

John Griffin #598

29/11/15 v OBU Panthers

Derby Braves

Only 1 set of goals, one way mechanics used. Neither team objected.

Ian Wainwright #567

06/12/15 v Durham Saints

Nottingham Outlaws

No goalpost at either end.

Ian Wainwright #567

05/12/15 v Staffordshire Stallions

Northampton Nemesis

All 3 game balls were worn. No separate changing room for officials. Had to use team changing rooms

Brian Yates #29

29/11/15 v Leicester Longhorns

Outstanding items from previous weeks

Leicester Longhorns

NFL hash marks, no team areas, no nine yard marks.

Pete Thom #200

22/11/15 v Lincoln Colonials

Bath Spa Bulldogs

Field markings of poor quality, with all solid lines not straight. Endzones at the minimum 7 yard depth. Inbound hash marks at NFL width - game was played by estimating correct lateral limits. All hash marks were unequal in spacing. No 9 yard marks. No team areas. Chainset was broken before the game with no way to attach the chain to one of the stakes. It was only because one official had some pliers that with a bit of creativity we were able to get them in a functioning state. The provided "changing room" was an empty classroom some way from the field. It was decided that we would instead use the visiting team changing room after they had vacated, but this could not be locked.

Steve Leonard #370

22/11/15 v Bristol Barracuda

Southampton Stags

Field was covered in an excess of rubber crumb, so much so that the lines had to be cleared so they could be seen. The goals are attached to a fence approximately 2 yards behind the end lines. Game was played in a great spirit by both teams.

David Knight #135

22/11/15 v Chichester Spitfires

Bristol Barracuda

Game was moved on Saturday Afternoon/Evening to SGS College WISE with a 16:00 kick-off. Just prior to game, crew were informed that the venue staff had told Game Management the game had to finish by 18:30 and venue cleared by 19:00. so it was agreed that half time would be 10 minutes only. With 11:55 remaining in the 3rd Quarter, Game Management was informed that the venue staff had decided that they wanted to shut by 18:30 so Coaches and Referee agreed to go to running Game Clock for remainder of game. Game ended at 18:10.

Albert Lambert #461

29/11/15 v Bath Spa Bulldogs

Westminster Dragons

The crew was not notified of a change of venue. Four of the 5 crew arrived at the venue in good time to find that nobody was there. We contacted Operations and were able to discover the actual venue, East London Rugby Club, which is the likely future location of Westminster's home games. The Referee was being forced to travel to the game by rail replacement bus. He was unable to travel to the new venue in any kind of reasonable time, and the game was officiated by a crew of 4. The game kicked off an hour late after the crew made their way to the new venue. The field currently in use at East London RFC is not either of the three rugby pitches. (Crews should still change in the rugby club changing area.) It is a re-purposed soccer field located behind the five-a-side cage. It is 80 yards with soccer goalposts, which were appropriately padded. It was marked on the morning of the game to a creditably high standard. No team areas, and one sideline was slightly uneven. One of the end zones was considerably larger than the other, although both were of legal size. Both head coaches agreed to play all downs in the direction of the larger end zone and to play without field goals. The home team provided only two footballs. Chain crew extremely slow. The Westminster head coach told us that the team will be significantly revising its game management procedures before its next home game.

Alan Dobson #308

24/01/16 v LSBU Spartans

Durham Saints

Changing room is quite a way from the field. Also, officials for another sport were given access to our changing room while we were officiating.

Dan Holt #371

29/11/15 v Stirling Clansmen

Greenwich Mariners

Played at Southwood site of Avery Hill campus. Well marked 100 yard field only missing 3-yard marks. 10 minute delay to KO caused by issues around similar shirt colours. Crew returned to changing rooms at the end of the game to find they had been locked at 1pm. Fortunately game day management were able to locate site security to get the changing rooms unlocked.

Tim Ockendon #481

22/11/15 v UEL Titans

UCLan Rams

90 yard field which was well marked, no coaches or players boxes marked but both teams were very well disciplined on their respective sidelines

Lee Taylor #183

29/11/15 v Sheffield Sabres

UEL Titans

Hash marks not straight down the field but 1 yard apart. One end zone 2 yards bigger than the other yet with both head coaches agreement, we played the game as normal and not one way. There were no uprights on the goals, as soccer goals were used; both had good padding. Therefore no field goals were taken. Chain crew left at half time but adequate time before second half began to prepare new crew. Chains broke on 3 occasions.

John Griffin #598

06/12/15 v LSBU Spartans

Teeside Cougars

On arrival the 80 yard field had to be reduced by 10 yards as one endzone was too close to the perimeter fence. The red markings were a bit wonky in places and the the infield hash marks were not always 1 yard apart. There were no goal posts at either end and the following lines were missing: 3 yard marks, 9 yard marks, team or coaching areas which were marked out with cones prior to KO. The changing room allocated to the officials was the excess exercise machine room which was big enough for 4 officials and chairs were provided, however there were no private showers of coat hooks. Other crews please note that this “new” venue may or may not be used for Teesside future games, it will be advisable to contact the team prior to check.

Chris Jarvis #10

22/11/15 v Heriot Watt

Staffordshire Stallions

The field was narrow, estimated to be 135', only one set of goal-posts.

Richard Whitby #136

22/11/15 v Nottingham Outlaws

NTU Renegades

Field was marked as metres. Game management state that it will be rectified by next home game.

Brian Yates #29

29/11/15 v Worcester Royals

PLAY OF THE WEEK:

New this week

Play: A's ball, free kick, on A's 30. The Referee signals the ready for play. A6 picks up the ball and punts it. B27 returns the ball to A's 14 where he is downed.
Ruling?

Last week

Play: A's ball, 1st and 10, on A's 35. B56 pushes A67 in the back on A's 33 when he is attempting to reach runner A34 on a sweep. B56 tackles A34 on A's 36.

Ruling: Legal use of hands. B56 may push an opponent in the back when he legally attempts to reach a runner. B56 may use his hands to pull an opponent to reach a runner although B56 may not use his hands to pull an opponent to legally recover a loose ball. A33. A's ball, 2nd and 9, on A's 36.

MECHANICS:

New this week

Game Situation: What are the 3 ways to mark a dead ball spot (and their order of desirability)?
Answer next issue...

Last week

Play: Generally, a ball should be spotted either 'nose on', 'tail on' or equidistant between two yard lines. In what situation should the ball be spotted with greater accuracy?
Answer: M-5-7-6-a. Where the forward progress is close to the line to gain or goal line, more accuracy is required and the covering official should spot the ball exactly where forward progress was given.

Date

Event

Contact for details

2015

November 14^th (Sat)

BAFRA Board Meeting

secretary@bafra.org

November 21^st (Sat)

Opal Series Round 3

December 5^th (Sat)

Opal Series Final

2016

February 16^th (Sat)

BAFRA Board Meeting

secretary@bafra.org

April 2^nd and 3^rd

BAFRA Annual Convention & AGM

president@bafra.org

May 7^th (Sat)

BAFRA Board Meeting

secretary@bafra.org

July 23^rd (Sat)

BAFRA Board Meeting

secretary@bafra.org

19^th November (Sat)

BAFRA Board Meeting

secretary@bafra.org

BAFRA Directors

President

David Parsons

president@bafra.org

General Secretary

Paul Sutton

secretary@bafra.org

Finance

Chalies Dean Young

finance@bafra.org

Operations

Richard Vernon

operations@bafra.org

Recruitment

Kevin Stanton

recruitment@bafra.org

Training

Pete Thom

training@bafra.org

Director without Portfolio #1

Martin Cockerill

dwp1@bafra.org

Director without Portfolio #2

Steve Tonkinson

dwp2@bafra.org

The opinions expressed in this Newsflash are those of the contributors, and not necessarily of BAFRA or its Directors.

All Incident Reports to be submitted via www.bafra.org.

Deadline for articles submitted by email (newsflash@bafra.org) is midnight Tuesday.