NAME

#

TEAM

CODE

Q

OFFENCE

SUSPENDED

New this week

Charles Kelly

53

Cambridge Pythons

FPF

4

After being blocked, and whilst on the floor, #53 kicked the player who had blocked him.

30th January 2021 v Kent Falcons

Seun Oshin

Essex Blades

TGT

1

After review number 58 was seen to have Targeted an Opponent with the Crown of his Helmet

5th December 2021 v Brunel Blades

Thomas Lovell

25

Leicester Longhorns

FGT

2

Player began punching an opponent while engaged in a block.

5th December 2021 v Coventry University Jets

Josh Hope

37

NTU Renegades

FGT

2

Player began punching an opponent while engaged in a block.

5th December 2021 v Warwick Wolves

Lewis Smith

56

Stirling Clansmen

TUF

4

Stirling #56 committed two unsportsmanlike fouls in the fourth quarter of the game.

5th December 2021 v Durham Saints

Aidan Martin

58

Sussex Saxons

TUF

4

With 0:29 remaining in the game, the Referee penalised #60 of the visiting team for piling on to an already formed pile, after the play was over. Whilst the player was getting to his feet Sussex #58 stood in front of #60 and clapped sarcastically in #60s face. At this point, the Referee and Umpire both penalised #58 for unsportsmanlike conduct (taunting an opponent). When #58 realised he had been penalised, he shouted an expletive at the officials and threw up his arms in a mocking gesture intentionally drawing attention to himself. For this, he was penalised again by both the Referee and the Umpire for a second unsportsmanlike act.

23rd January 2021 vv Portsmouth Destroyers

Previous weeks

Akym Davis

3

Sheffield Sabres

FUC

2

Mr. Davis was heard, and admitted to, offensive language to an opposing team player inside the Sheffield Team area.

5th December 2021 v LJMU Fury

Alex Harrison

68

UEA Pirates

FGT

2

With 2:29 remaining in the second quarter, #68 threw punches and was fighting.

5th December 2021 v Swansea Titans

HOME TEAM

REPORT

NEXT HOME GAME

New this week

Bath Killer Bees

The game was abandoned at 09:30 due to the field being unplayable.

Peter Parsons #321

5th December 2021 v Bristol Barracuda

Derby Braves

With one minute left in the third quarter, two inches of snow obscured the lines despite repeated sweeping. The surface was also slippery so the game was abandoned on medical advice.

Andrew Lovell #559

30th January 2021 v Sheffield Hallam Warriors

Edinburgh Predators

Game was called off by the home team at 11:18 on the morning of the game.

Henry Richardson #25

30th January 2021 v Northumbria

Essex Blades

One change of ball person. No numbers or nine-yard markings.

Lee Wood #517

30th January 2021 v Imperial Immortals

Imperial Immortals

Well marked 90-yard field in white. No numbers, nine-yard marks, team area markings or limit lines and inbounds lines marked at incorrect depth (36 feet).

Tim Ockendon #481

6th February 2021 v Essex Blades

Leeds Gryphons

At approximately 10.00 the game was officially called off by Leeds Gryphons due to an unplayable pitch.

David Hewitt #607

12th Dec 2021 v Nottingham Gold

Loughborough Students

No team areas or coaches boxes marked but other sports lines sufficed as substitutes. Teams kept as far back from the sidelines in any case.

Brian Yates #29

6th February 2022 v Leicester Longhorns

NTU Renegades

Leicester played in non-matching green jerseys.

Joel Pearson #405

5th December 2021 v Warwick Wolves

Portsmouth Destroyers

90-yard field with no three-yard marks, nine-yard marks, or team areas. Short yard-line extensions and hash marks were about three times their standard length and were uneven in places. As the teams readied for the second half, the crew were made aware of a player who was injured in the first half and who had significantly deteriorated during the interval. The medic requested an ambulance to attend. The player was positioned not far from the sideline and could not be moved. As the ambulance had not arrived within one hour of the scheduled second half start time, the game was abandoned after two quarters.

Oliver Maskell #221

5th December 2021 v RHUL Bears

Reading Knights

Well marked field in white. Changing rooms are two separate rooms suitable for two or three officials but a team changing room was commandeered for pre-game. One ball provided did not meet requirements but a substitute was found.

James Ford-Bannister #479

5th December 2021 v Exeter Demons

SGS Pride

No problems with field or markings - two changing rooms were supplied for crew - for which refundable deposits had to be paid to get keys. Goal posts for other sports needed to be moved back from the field perimeter in order for the field area to be deemed safe.

Francis Bevan #474

23rd January 2021 v Exeter Demons

Stirling Clansmen

Field markings were faded, and only eight pylons were provided, so markers were added behind the goals to assist with spotting the ball.

Ian Sneddon #427

23rd January 2021 v Leeds Gryphons

Sussex Saxons

Warned about field marking from last week's crew. Team informed the referee that the problem lines had been repainted. On arrival it was clear that the goal lines and the side lines had been repainted. However the five-yard and ten-yard lines were very faint and so were the short yard line extensions. However, these were still visible depending on where you stood on the field. From the LJ's side of the field the lines could be seen. However, from the HL’s side of the field, and in the middle for the Umpire, these lines became invisible due to the reflection of the sun. Chain set broke on a number of occasions and the game had to be stopped whilst they were being repaired. Home team's ball boy changed at half time without warning. End lines are too close to the fence so the soccer goal lines were used as endlines. This is a known issue at this venue and is the usual remedy.

David Knight #135

30th January 2021 v RHUL Bears

UWE Bullets

Two soccer referee changing rooms were provided, which means having a good pregame is challenging.

Keith Wickham #423

23rd January 2021 v Cardiff Cobras

Outstanding items from previous weeks

ARU Rhinos

ARU had to wear translucent bibs as both teams had identical jerseys. One change to the chain crew at half time.

Joseph Foxon #473

5th December 2021 v QMBL Vipers

Birmingham Lions

The lines were marked in black and, with the floodlights, could be difficult to see from a distance.

Keith Wickham #423

4th December 2021 v UWE Bullets

Brunel Burners

NFL-width hash marks. Field is uneven in places. Officials’ changing room was lockable if you can get the code to lock it. Around a five-minute walk from the Sports Park to the field. Best way to contact the team is to email the Head Coach.

Richard Moger #472

5th December 2021 v Essex Blades

City Wolfpack

90-yard field. NFL-width hash marks. Short yard line extensions were marked in metres but main lines in yards. End zones were only seven yards deep.

Lee Wood #517

30th January 2021 v UEL Phoenix

DMU Falcons

Game kicked off 20 minutes late due to late arrival of medical cover.

Joel Pearson #405

5th December 2021 v Huddersfield Hawks

Durham Saints

No three-yard marks. Coaching boxes weren't marked up to the ten-yard lines.

David Hewitt #607

5th December 2021 v Stirling Clansmen

Edinburgh Napier Knights

Team areas marked out to pre-COVID covid standards, adjustments were made to meet current requirements.

Kenneth Glover #71

12th December 2021 v Aberdeen Bulls

Exeter Demons

Faint and narrow field markings in black, this made inbounds short yard line extensions difficult to see. Seven-yard end zones, but otherwise a nice artificial field on main campus.

Francis Bevan #474

30th January 2022 v Southampton Stags

Gloucester Gladiators

80 Yard Field. NFL width Hash Marks. Team areas not marked to COVID regulations.

Stuart Tabberer #348

5th December 2021 v Plymouth Blitz

KCL Regents

Well marked 90-yard field with eight-yard end zones, in blue with other sport markings in yellow, white & red. No numbers but rugby markings approximated for nine-yard marks. Team area markings at pre-COVID distances. One stake had been completely broken and repaired by lashing another pole to it. Four members of the chain crew were replaced prior to the third quarter and a further three were replaced prior to the fourth quarter. Changing room was small for a crew of five and not lockable.

Tim Ockendon #481

23rd January 2022 v Canterbury Phoenix

Keele Crusaders

With 7:00 remaining in second quarter, the game was suspended for 15 minutes to deal with an injured Chester #62. After the subsequent play, with 6:20 left in second quarter, the game was abandoned following a neck injury to Chester #95. #95 was lying on the field of play and couldn’t be moved until an ambulance arrived, which could be up to five hours. Chester had also run out of players.

Andrew Lovell #559

12th December 2021 v Lincoln Colonials

Kent Falcons

Faintly marked 90-yard field in red, with other sport markings in yellow, white, & blue. No numbers, nine-yard marks, or team area markings, although rugby lines approximated for coaching lines. Kent players were mainly in red shirts but some were in gold. Neither of these clashed with the opponents blue shirts so the game proceeded with the agreement of both coaches. Game suspended for 24 minutes with 6:24 remaining in the first quarter & for 15 minutes with 7:56 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Tim Ockendon #481

5th December 2021 v KCL Regents

Leeds Beckett Carnegie

80-yard field. No three-yard marks, nine-yard marks, or numbers. The midfield hash marks were marked at NFL width. No coaching boxes were marked but other sports markings were used to solve some of the issues. All three game balls were underinflated and required pumping up prior to the game.

David Hewitt #607

30th January 2021 v Nottingham

Leicester Longhorns

The booked medic for the game never arrived. After an hour of attempts by the home team to get in touch with them and source alternate cover, the game was abandoned in line with rules 13-1-1 and 13-7-a-3.

Jed Brookes-Lewis #395

5th December 2021 v Coventry Jets

LJMU Fury

90-yard field marked in yellow. No numbers, nine-yard marks, or limit lines. Coaches' boxes were only marked out to the pre-COVID specification of the 25-yard lines.

Andrew Swift #403

5th December 2021 v Sheffield Sabres

Newcastle Raiders

Team areas on both sidelines not marked to the ten-yard line as per COVID regulations, this was resolved before kick off.

Gordon Galloway #7

30th January 2022 v Hull Sharks

Nottingham Gold

Very well marked field with proper goals now in place. Other sports markings were there but the clarity of the football markings presented no problems. Team areas marked to pre-COVID dimensions and, due to the layout of the field, the home team coaches boxes and team areas are closer to the field than regulation but the coaches and team stayed well back. The balls used were usable but worn and two newer balls were used instead of the ones presented.

Brian Yates #29

5th December 2021 v Leeds Beckett Carnegie

Nottingham Green

Very well marked field with proper goals now in place. Other sports markings were there but the clarity of the football markings presented no problems. Team areas marked to pre-COVID dimensions and, due to the layout of the field, the home team coaches boxes and team areas are closer to the field than regulation but the coaches and team stayed well back. Three usable but not new or nearly new balls provided.

Brian Yates #29

5th December 2021 v Keele Crusaders

Oxford Brookes Panthers

On arrival the crew were informed the away team’s travel had not arrived and the game would not be taking place.

Oliver Maskell #221

5th December 2021 v Kingston Cougars

QMBL Vipers

Well marked 90-yard field in blue. No numbers, nine-yard marks, or limit lines and team areas marked with cones. Dog excrement on the field was removed by Game Management prior to kickoff. Changing room had no private shower or toilet but was otherwise well appointed and lockable. One ball person was provided by the visiting team.

Tim Ockendon #481

12th December 2021 v Essex Blades

RHUL Bears

There was no designated area for a mixed crew. In the end we completed the pre-game in the men's changing room without problems.

Keith Wickham #423

12th December 2021 v Portsmouth Destroyers

Sheffield Hallam Warriors

80-yard field. No three-yard marks, nine-yard marks, or numbers. No coaching boxes or players area, so we used other sports lines. Two sets of hash marks were present, unfortunately one set was NFL-width and the other was High School-width. Field markings were faint.

Robin Boyd #191

5th December 2021 v Derby Braves

Southampton Stags

Goals are located on the fence behind the end line.

Roger Brown #469

12th December 2021 v Bristol Barracuda

Surrey Stingers

On arrival at the ground we were told by the staff there that the pitch was not narked and in any event the groundsman had declared it as waterlogged.

Keith Wickham #423

6th February 2022 v Sussex Saxons

Swansea Titans

The field was generally well marked out, however, the sideline and inbounds short yard-line extensions were too small - barely a couple of inches long instead of the required 2'. Two of the chain crew were replaced at half time due to them being very slow and disinterested. Thankfully their replacements were noticeably better.

Amir Brooks #593

12th December 2021 v Birmingham Lions

UCL Emperors

Crew was informed that the game was cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch.

Henry Young #486

5th December 2021 v Chichester Spitfires

UCLan Rams

100-yard field with no numbers, nine-yard marks, or team areas marked out. Kickoff was delayed by 15 mins due to previous use of the venue. Both teams warmed up on alternative fields but the away side were slow to migrate to the main field and did not have a roster for the officials upon arrival.

Andrew Swift #403

23rd January 2021 v Edge Hill Vikings

UWE Pellets

One ball person was changed at half time.

Amir Brooks #593

6th February 2022 v Bath Spa Bulldogs

Warwick Wolves

Kickoff delayed until 13:30 due to medical cover arriving late. Changing rooms were non-lockable.

Krister Halvorsen #77

11th December 2021 v Loughborough Students

York Centurions

100-yard Grass Field marked in Red. It was very difficult to see and identify the inbounds short yard line extensions. There were no team or coaching areas marked, but this was rectified with cones prior to the game.

Chris Jarvis #10

5th December 2021 v Newcastle Raiders

PLAY OF THE WEEK:

New this week

Play: 2nd & 8 at Team’s B 40-yard line. 1:56 remains in the second quarter. A66 snaps the ball high to quarterback A10 who has to jump to control the snap. Whilst still airborne at Team B’s 45-yard line, A10 pitches the ball forwards to A88 who has run across the front of A10. A88 runs wide to the right and runs out of bounds at Team B’s 30-yard line. During A88’s run, B24 blocks A73 below the waist 6 yards beyond the neutral zone.

What is the next down and distance? What is the game clock status?

Ruling?

Last week

Play: Team A have 1st and 10 at Midfield. Defensive End B98 is offside at the snap. Running back A34 carries the ball to the B-44 yard line. Immediately after the play B72 shoves an opponent in an act that is clearly not part of the game action.

Ruling: 

MECHANICS:

New this week

Game Situation: It’s 4th down, Team A line up to punt. The snap is high and goes over the punter's head. On an 8 man crew, how should the Referee and Centre judge react?

Answer next issue…

Last week

Game Situation: 1st and 10 for Team A at midfield.  There are only 30 seconds left on the clock and Team A are winning by 10 points.  Team B have no timeouts remaining.  Team A declare that they will ‘take a knee’.  However after they snap the ball they throw a quick pass out the the wide receiver, who gains 20 yards before being forced out of bounds.  Ruling?

Answer: Officials should remind teams who declare that they are going to ‘take a knee’ that doing anything else is considered Unfair Tactics (9-2-2 & MM 3-8-9-c).  Team A should be penalised 15 yards from the previous spot.  Any player from either team who tries to take advantage of the situation to either gain yards (Team A) or punish an opponent (Team B) must be penalised (MM 3-8-9-f).

Date

Event

Contact for details

2022

19th February (Sat)

BAFRA Board Meeting

secretary@bafra.info

2nd - 3rd April (Sat-Sun)

BAFRA Convention

convention@bafra.info

2nd April (Sat)

BAFRA Ltd. AGM

secretary@bafra.info

14th May (Sat)

BAFRA Board Meeting

secretary@bafra.info

16th July (Sat)

BAFRA Board Meeting

secretary@bafra.info

12th November (Sat)

BAFRA Board Meeting

secretary@bafra.info

BAFRA Directors

President

David Parsons

president@bafra.info

General Secretary

Richard Moger

secretary@bafra.info

Finance

Stuart Tabberer

finance@bafra.info

Operations

Roger Goodgroves

operations@bafra.info

Recruitment

Susannah Taylor

recruitment@bafra.info

Training

James Ford-Bannister

training@bafra.info

Director without Portfolio #1

Peter Parsons

dwp1@bafra.info

Director without Portfolio #2

Steve Tonkinson

dwp2@bafra.info

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.info.

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