Issue 2/24 24th January 2024
BAFRA Newsflash | |||
BUCS FINALS
The American Football Finals for BUCS will once again be the first games of the "BUCS Big Wednesday" event, with the D1 and Championship Finals being played on Tuesday 19th March 2024.
This year's events are being hosted at Loughborough University. The D1 Final kicks off at 2pm, and the National Championship Game kicks off at 7pm.
The selection committee will be meeting in the next few weeks to select crews for these games. If you wish to be considered for these games, please make yourself available on Assignr by Sunday 4th February 2024.
Ollie Maskell - Director of Operations
DISCIPLINARY CASES
NAME | # | TEAM | CODE | Q | OFFENCE | SUSPENDED | |
New this week | |||||||
Finley Hampson | 20 | Edge Hill Vikings | FPF | 3 | With 2:56 remaining in the third quarter, #20 was penalised for PF-LHP after hitting a prone opponent who had recovered a loose ball. Due to the lateness of the hit, the speed and distance from which #20 came, and the force involved with the contact, this foul was deemed to be flagrant. | 4th February 2024 v Keele Crusaders | |
Weston Perry | 8 | NTU Renegades | FGT | 1 | With 1:21 remaining in the first quarter, following an altercation with an opponent, #8 of NTU was seen to throw a punch at an opponent, striking him in the helmet. | 28th January 2024 v Coventry University Jets | |
Abraham Mosely | 57 | Sheffield Hallam Warriors | FPF+ | 4 | With 2:24 remaining in the game, following a block by an opponent which caused the NTU player to fall to the ground, #57 of Hallam stepped over the prone opponent and proceeded to stamp on him. | 28th January 2024 v Leicester Longhorns v 4th February 2024 v Warwick Wolves | |
Previous weeks | |||||||
Ben Heudebourck | 4 | Canterbury Chargers | TGC | 2 | With 4:28 remaining in the second quarter, Canterbury #4 led, and made forcible contact, with the crown of their helmet into the chest/midriff area of the passer. | 28th January 2024 v Kingston | |
GAME MANAGEMENT REPORTS
HOME TEAM | REPORT | NEXT HOME GAME |
New this week | ||
Bournemouth University Bobcats | New artificial 100-yard green field with black lines and other coloured lines for other sports. No nine-yard markers, numbers, or coaching boxes. Darren Urben #438 | 28th January 2024 v Exeter Demons |
Derby Braves | No team areas marked. Multi sport surface, black markings difficult to see at an angle. With 7:00 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Back Judge left the game due to illness and was looked after by an ambulance crew who advised BJ was well enough to drive home. Andrew Lovell #559 | 28th January 2024 v Lincoln Colonials |
DMU Lions | Field marked in black alongside other sports markings in various colours. Markings were visible, although the number markings have faded. No team areas were marked on the field. Andrew Murrell #608 | Unknown |
Edge Hill Vikings | No team areas marked. Short yard-line extensions were of varying distances apart and those on the sideline did not always match those infield. The game was suspended for 80 minutes in the second quarter due to a player injury. With 6:58 remaining in the fourth quarter, the head coaches and referee mutually agreed to shorten the remaining time to 0:00 due to a number of injuries for Staffordshire. Jed Brookes-Lewis #395 | 4th February 2024 v Keele Crusaders |
Exeter Demons | A very strangely marked field with lines in a total of three colours (End Lines, White, Side Lines and five-yard lines Red, with the short yard-line extensions painted in blue), the latter of which were clearly sprayed on, were not straight, and had a maximum width of 0.5”. No team areas were marked. Numbered yardage markers unable to stand up or withstand the weather. Stuart Tabberer #348 | 4th February 2024 v Southampton Stags |
Glasgow University Tigers | Glasgow’s pitch has no goal posts but Glasgow provided one portable goal. Unfortunately, this was deemed unsafe and the game was played as a no-post game. Glasgow's medical cover failed to show up and all attempts to contact them failed. After a delay of 40 minutes, alternative cover was sourced and the game commenced. Henry Richardson #25 | 11th February 2024 v Aberdeen Bulls |
KCL Regents | Due to the early start of the game, the changing rooms were not available until ~60 minutes before the originally scheduled kick-off. Daniel Clarke #311 | 11th February 2024 v QMBL Vipers |
Kingston Cougars | Medical Provision did not arrive. The crew waited until 14:00 but, despite several calls by Game Day Manager, no cover could be arranged. The goalpost needed to be swung into place. One would not stay, if the game had gone ahead one-goal mechanics would have been used. Graham Smith #149 | 4th February 2024 v UCL Emperors |
Lancaster Bombers | Reasonably well-marked 80-yard field. All lines were in dark blue but quickly started to disappear due to the inclement weather. The goal posts were slightly behind the end line and, due to the pitch being marked out incorrectly for a training weekend, the three-yard mark was actually in the end zone, this was not used. Due to the constant rain during the game, one of the end zones became unplayable as there was standing water between the 5 and goal line that was deemed a hazard for the defence therefore with 1:40 remaining in the game, following a turnover on downs, as the game result was not in question and the leading team informed the crew they were going to kneel out the game, both Head Coaches agreed to shorten the remainder of the fourth quarter to 0:00. Lee Taylor #183 | Unknown |
Leeds Beckett Carnegie | Field has been shortened to accommodate rugby posts so there is a superfluous line marked halfway across each end zone in the same colour as the rest of the field. Rugby marks were used for team areas. Joel Pearson #405 | 4th February 2024 v Nottingham Gold |
Leeds Gryphons | 80-yard field with no numbers, three-yard marks, or nine-yard marks. Field marked in yellow which is faded in places - especially the goal lines and inbounds short yard-line extensions. Other sports markings present in yellow, blue, and white - be mindful there is a solid, very visible, yellow line running behind the End Line which should not be confused for the actual End Line. The changing room was too small for a crew of five, although it had lockers and a shower. The room was lockable, but the crew weren’t permitted to keep the key, so most elected to lock bags in cars. Delay of five minutes to the start of the second half as the medical cover was still dealing with an injury in the physio room from the first half. Michael Hansford #594 | 11th February 2024 v Hull Sharks |
NTU Renegades | Field markings in metres not yards. Chain approximated to correct length after adjustment. The short yard-line extension continued into the endzones. The three-yard marks were marked at the two-metre line Brian Yates #29 | 28th January 2024 v Coventry University Jets |
Oxford Lancers | Game was played at Tilsley Park due to a frozen pitch at the normal venue. Due to the late change of venue, the field had not been remarked so the lines were very faint and became difficult to see under the floodlights in the second half. The game was played in high wind with the addition of heavy rain in the second half. Yard markers needed to be weighed down so were moved a safe distance away from the field. One change to the chain crew at half time. James Ford-Bannister #479 | 11th February 2024 v Royal Holloway Bears |
Plymouth Blitz | NFL-width hash marks. The three-yard marks were at the two-yard line. The 9-yard marks were in red and very small. Otherwise, the field markings were good. Very good changing facilities for officials. Dave Moore #92 | 11th February 2024 v Worcester Royals |
RHUL Bears | The field was marked in blue with three-yard marks marked at the four-yard line. There were no nine-yard marks or numbers. Changing facilities were the usual public gym changing rooms at the sports centre, a short walk away from the field. Darren Urben #438 | Unknown |
Stirling Clansmen | Field markings were in blue and were very faint. The weather was definitely not the crew’s friend and, as such, the wet weather made separating the black and green jerseys more challenging. Despite the conditions, the game was played in good spirits Gordon Galloway #7 | 28th January 2024 v Aberdeen Bulls |
Worcester Royals | The home team had no game balls available, so the away team provided all three game balls. Due to storm damage to some of the changing rooms and several youth rugby matches also being played at the venue, changing rooms were not immediately available for the officials or the teams, and kick-off was subsequently delayed by around 15 minutes. One of the youth rugby matches was played on the field used for the game, resulting in the surface already being cut up before the game began. Amir Brooks #593 | Unknown |
York St John Jaguars | 90-yard field. No three-yard marks. Several of the game balls required inflation prior to use, with one having to be re-inflated during the game. NFL-width hash marks. David Hewitt #607 | 11th February 2024 v York Centurions |
Outstanding items from previous weeks | ||
Bath Spa Bulldogs | 90-yard field marked in blue with several lines that were not completely straight and with rugby markings in white. Hash marks at NFL-width. No numbers or nine-yard marks. No marked coaching boxes or team areas, but the five-metre rugby marks were used to indicate the approximate location of the coaching line. No limit lines. The crew used the visiting team changing room to change once it had been vacated. It was not lockable. Peter Parsons #321 | 28th January 2024 v Worcester Royals |
Birmingham Lions | No team areas marked. Field marked in black which is barely visible in sunlight. Stuart Tabberer #348 | 28th January 2024 v Portsmouth Destroyers |
Brighton Panthers | 100-yard artificial field with dark blue American football markings that were not easily visible in the pouring rain. Viktor Janvari #63 | 11th February 2024 v Sussex Saxons |
Bristol Barracuda | The field was marked with black lines which have become faint and can be hard to see in places. Keith Wickham #423 | 11th February 2024 v Exeter Demons |
Brunel Burners | Due to weather-related pitch concerns at Brunel, this game was played at Hertfordshire instead. The field at Herts is marked in blue on an artificial green surface and can be difficult to see under floodlights or in the low winter sun. Hashmarks are NFL-width. No team areas were marked. Multiple changes to the chain crew (supplied by Hertfordshire) during the game. Andrew Murrell #608 | 28th January 2024 v Reading Knights |
Canterbury Chargers | 90-yard artificial field - all American Football markings in blue, with Rugby markings in Red and other sports in yellow and white. The changing room was not lockable but is otherwise fine. The entire chain crew plus one ball person were changed as the original volunteers were unable to stay for the entire game. Game balls and officials assistants were provided quite late as the gameday manager had to drive back home to pick up the game balls. Phil Clarke #262 | 28th January 2024 v Kingston Cougars |
Cardiff Cobras | The lines and markings are very faint but Cardiff said they intend to repaint them before their next home game. Keith Wickham #423 | 11th February 2024 v Portsmouth Destroyers |
Coventry University Jets | Due to late notification from the home team of the revised kick-off time (noon), the game kicked off 15 minutes late on agreement with both Head Coaches - due to the late arrival of an official. Markings were dark blue on a green artificial field but were visible. Krister Halvorsen #77 | 4th February 2024 v Leicester Longhorns |
Essex Blades | Kick off was delayed by 30 minutes due to the Essex Head Coach and an assistant coach, both London based, not arriving at the venue by the scheduled kick-off time - due to train issues. Only two game balls were available at the beginning of the game. The third game ball was supplied at half-time. NFL-width hash marks. The chain crew were supplied late and changed at halftime. William Marriage #293 | 11th February 2024 UEA Pirates |
Hertfordshire Hurricanes | 90-yard field recently remarked. Two changing rooms supplied only one lockable. Graham Smith #149 | 28th January 2024 v Oxford Lancers |
Imperial Immortals | A well-marked 90-yard field with no numbers or nine-yard marks. Team areas were missing. Canterbury played in borrowed Bournemouth uniform which meant black/red played navy/white but it presented no issues. The changing room was not lockable and was a short walk from the field. James Ford-Bannister #479 | 4th February 2024 v Greenwich Mariners |
Kent Falcons | The game was suspended twice for initial treatment of injured players and to allow the medical staff to move them off the field of play once able - the longest delay was 15 minutes. The changing room provided was adequate size for four officials but there are four changing rooms available should a larger crew be assigned and we are given the keys to the rooms allocated. 90-yard artificial field with multiple sports markings using various colours. The American Football markings are predominately red apart from where they share a line with another sport. Officials assistants provided quite late but it didn't delay kick-off.. Phil Clarke #262 | 28th January 2024 v KCL Regents |
Kingston Cougars | Well marked 100-yard field. One end was very muddy. Kick-off delayed by ten minutes due to game day management not finding chain crew in time Darren Urben #438 | 4th February 2024 v City Wolfpack |
Liverpool Raptors | Team areas were absent and the field markings were faint in places. Otherwise, a well-marked 90-yard field. Paul Todd #289 | 24th January 2024 v LJMU Fury |
LJMU Fury | Team areas were absent and the field markings were faint in places. Otherwise, a well-marked 90-yard field. Paul Todd #289 | 11th February 2024 v Liverpool Raptors |
Loughborough Students | Team area ends marked with cones. One change to the chain crew during the second quarter. Brian Yates #29 | 4th February 2024 v Durham Saints |
MMU Eagles | 80-yard field with ten-yard end zone and no team areas, nine-yard marks, or three-yard marks. Two chain crew members changed at half-time. Richard McEwen #206 | 28th January 2024 v Leeds Gryphons |
Northumbria Mustangs | 90-yard field marked in red. Team areas were marked with cones. Liam Wooton #478 | 28th January 2024 v York Centurions |
Nottingham Gold | Field markings in red and faded. Other sports markings were located very close to the line. The team areas were too close to the sideline. Jed Brookes-Lewis #395 | 28th January 2024 v Durham Saints |
Nottingham Green | Field markings in red and faded. Other sports markings were located very close to the line. The team areas were too close to the sideline. Jed Brookes-Lewis #395 | 11th February 2024 v Lincoln Colonials |
Portsmouth Destroyers | 90-yard field pained in a fading orange colour. Oliver Maskell #221 | 4th February 2024 v UWE Bullets |
QMBL Vipers | Crew arrived at Venue at 10:10, HC for Kent informed us that the team bus had not yet arrived in Kent at 10:20. Crew waited until 10:45 and then were informed by Kent HC that players would not be arriving Darren Urben #438 | 28th January 2024 v UEA Pirates |
Reading Knights | The team areas were marked to the 25-yard lines. The field was well-marked but deteriorated as the game progressed. Pete Thom #200 | 4th February 2024 v RHUL Bears |
Sheffield Sabres | No team areas so rugby markings were used as approximations. The away team did not have a printed roster but hastily produced a handwritten one before kickoff. Joel Pearson #405 | 4th February 2024 v York St. John Jaguars |
Southampton Stags | 90-yard field. A handful of stoppages of around five minutes for injuries. One change to the chain crew at half-time. Oliver Maskell #221 | 11th February 2024 v Bournemouth Bobcats |
Surrey Stingers | 90-yard field marked in blue on a rugby pitch. Field markings beginning to fade. Darren Urben #438 | 28th January 2024 v Brighton Panthers |
UCLan Rams | 100-yard field marked out in blue paint with other non-football markings in other colours. No team or coaching areas were marked out on either side. The officials marked out the home team area with cones in the short time afforded. Kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes with the agreement of both Head Coaches due to a scheduling error. Half-time was called with approximately 0:15 remaining in the second quarter due to a serious injury to an Edge Hill player. The second half was delayed by approximately 20 minutes for treatment and for the player to be taken to hospital. All the crew wish the player a full and speedy recovery. Peter Roberts #87 | 11th February 2024 v Lancaster Bombers |
UWE Bullets #2 | Officials were given two small changing rooms (both sized for three persons). Only one of these rooms is lockable. Amir Brooks #593 | 28th January 2024 v Swansea Titans |
Warwick Wolves | Faded blue markings on an artificial surface, which were very difficult to see. At one goal line the line was painted over/blended into another sport line which made it very difficult to judge the goal line. The jerseys were black for one team and dark green for the other, with white numbers and black pants. In worse light or weather, this would have been a very difficult game to officiate with the similarities in kit. Emma Payne #236 | 11th February 2024 v Coventry Jets |
York Centurions | Field was marked out as 100 IFAF yards. Team areas were absent but the teams kept to their correct areas with discipline. The changing room was realistically only big enough for three people. David Hewitt #607 | 19th November 2023 v Sheffield Sabres |
PLAY OF THE WEEK: | |
New this week | Play: It is 4th and 5 at the B-25. QB A-1 is under centre. The snap is made and the quarterback touches the ball with his hands, but never controls the ball. The ball rolls backwards to the B-28 where running back A-33 recovers the ball and advances to the B-8 where he is tackled.
|
Last 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?
|
MECHANICS: | |
New this week | Game Situation: There is 30 seconds left in the game and the clock is running, both Teams have one timeout remaining. Team A commits a False Start. As this is a potential 10 second run-off; what actions should the Wing officials on a 4 man crew take?
|
Last week | Game Situation: Should the Umpire should give a tipped ball signal (S11) when a ball kicked from a punt is partially blocked at the line of scrimmage? Answer: No, the Umpire should not give a signal in this situation. The Umpire should give the ball tipped (S11) signal only if the kick is touched (but not forced touched) by Team B BEYOND the neutral zone (M10.8.d.2). |
Date | Event | Contact for details |
BAFRA Directors | |||||
President | David Parsons | General Secretary | Richard Moger | ||
Finance | Stuart Tabberer | Operations | Oliver Maskell | ||
Recruitment | Susannah Taylor | Training | James Ford-Bannister | ||
Director without Portfolio #1 | Peter Parsons | Director without Portfolio #2 | Steve Tonkinson | ||
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. |
