NAME

#

TEAM

CODE

Q

OFFENCE

SUSPENDED

Previous weeks

Micah Adeolokun

66

ARU Rhinos

TUF

3

After the play was over, #66 was seen going into a group of opposing players, forcibly pushing and shoving a player. Several seconds later, as #66 was being separated from the opposing players, in a clear separate act, #66 used a tirade of foul and abusive language directed toward the opposing team.

26th January 2025 v Cambridge Pythons

Otis Newbury

11

Bath Spa Bulldogs

FUC

3

With 4:48 remaining in the third quarter, #11 addressed a female official as 'darling'. When told this was an inappropriate way to address a female official, #11 laughed at her and walked away. This was deemed to be sexist due to his disregard for showing respect to a female official, and therefore flagrant. This was also #11’s second UC penalty of the game. In the first quarter, he was observed to mime throwing the ball at an opponent and verbally taunting them.

26th January 2025 v  UWE Pellets

2nd February 2025 v Gloucestershire Gladiators

Rodrigo Canario

7

City Wolfpack

FGT

3

With 1:31 remaining in the third quarter, #7 engaged in a fight with the receiving team #30, where both players dragged the other to the ground by the facemask and refused to separate until multiple others intervened.

2nd February 2025 v Imperial Immortals

Abdullah Ibrahim

53

DMU Lions

ASS

1

After the second play from scrimmage, and despite being warned, #53 deliberately and forcibly contacted an official.

26th January 2025 v Lincoln Colonials

26th February 2025 v Derby Braves

Victor Osuofia

30

QMBL Vipers

FGT

3

With 1:31 remaining in the third quarter, #30 engaged in a fight with the kicking team #7, where both players dragged the other to the ground by the facemask and refused to separate until multiple others intervened.

9th February 2025 v Imperial Immortals

Jake Steele

79

Solent Redhawks

FPF

4

Head-butted an opponent.

26th January 2025 v RHUL Bears

William Stevens

55

Stirling Clansmen

TUF

4

With 3:35 remaining in the fourth quarter, #55 threw a defender to the ground, and stood over in a taunting posture before dropping on to the player on the ground drawing his first unsportsmanlike penalty. As the players got up, the defender stood up very close to #55 who then simulated being pushed to the ground drawing his second unsportsmanlike penalty.

26th January 2025 v Heriot-Watt Wolverines

Ryan Bradley

42

Sussex Saxons

FPF

4

Kicked the head of an opponent who was prone on the ground.

9th February 2025 v Oxford Brookes

HOME TEAM

REPORT

NEXT HOME GAME

New this week

Bournemouth University Bobcats

A well-marked field in dark paint, with similar colour markings close to but outside the sidelines. No marked team areas, nine-yard marks, or numbers but otherwise excellently marked. The chain broke once.

James Ford-Bannister #479

Unknown

Brighton Panthers

No team areas were marked. Goals approximately three yards behind the end line, but now with proper post protectors. The field has been remarked and was pretty clear, though continues to have markings for multiple sports

Ben Gadsby #564

2nd February 2025 v Oxford Lancers

Cardiff Cobras

90-yard field with seven-yard end zones marked in yellow. The coaching boxes and team areas were marked with cones. No numbers or nine-yard marks. No limit lines. Goal post uprights were more than eight yards outside the end lines and were not padded, but this was not required under [1-2-5-e Exception]. Changing room was lockable, but shared with officials from other sports. One stake has a noticeable bend towards the bottom.

Peter Parsons #W321

Unknown

Exeter Demons

90-yard field with seven-yard end zones. Red lines with a white midfield line and blue yard-line extensions at the sidelines. Changing rooms are always very spacious.

Dave Moore #92

26th January 2025 v Portsmouth Destroyers

Gloucestershire Gladiators

The field markings were very faded and black, especially on the stadium side of the field and at the hash marks. This was accentuated under lights making the job of the LJ and U particularly difficult. Two small changing rooms were provided, both large enough to comfortably accommodate a crew of three. The pre-game was therefore conducted in the reception area. The goalposts were in bounds (as per the black markings) so, with the agreement of both coaches, the EZ was shortened slightly by using one of the other field markings, which still left the EZ an acceptable size.

Mark Schofield #557

Unknown

Heriot-Watt Wolverines

The team areas were missing, so marked with cones.

Kenneth Glover #71

9th February 2025 v Aberdeen Bulls

Hull Sharks

No limit lines. No team areas were marked, so cones were used. The field also had no three-yard marks, nine-yard marks, or numbers. Hash markings were NFL width. There were several other sports markings on the field. The chains had to be repaired twice, and one game ball had to be inflated.

Dave Black #574

9th February 2025 v Coventry Jets

KCL Regents

90-yard artificial field. Markings in blue, with other sports markings, getting slightly feint. No team area markings, numbers, or nine-yard marks. One goal crossbar is bent. The down box is of the correct size, however the dial-a-down box is broken meaning it often cannot display the correct down number. Changing rooms are not private and a significant walk from the field.

Lee Wood #517

2nd February 2025 v UCL Emperors

Keele Crusaders

The field was marked as 100 yards, so the chain set was aligned to the field markings. Lines were marked at less than one-yard intervals.

Andrew Lovell #559

Unknown

Newcastle Raiders

No team areas were marked out, so cones were used. Field markings were in purple but stood out well against the green field. Down marker kept moving, despite being asked not to until instructed.

Gordon Galloway #7

26th January 2025 v NTU Renegades

Northumbria Mustangs

Coaching areas were marked with cones. A wonderful artificial field but the markings were faint.

Gordon Galloway #7

26th January 2025 v MMU Eagles

NTU Renegades

Team areas were marked with cones. No numbers or nine-yard marks, although other sports markings were used to approximate.

Brian Yates #29

Unknown

Oxford Lancers

A mostly well-marked 90-yard field with double sidelines and goal lines. Changing rooms are quite a distance from the field.

Emma Harris #236

9th February 2025 v Hertfordshire Hurricanes

Sheffield Hallam Warriors

90-yard field marked in red. Chains had to be set to the correct length before kick-off. No team areas were marked though both teams managed their respective sideline with good discipline throughout. No nine-yard marks or numbers. Goalposts were set back a yard from the end line. Other sports markings were present around the field. Two lockable changing rooms were provided for officials with each big enough for 2/3 people.

Ian Rogers #625

9th February 2025 v Nottingham Green

UCLan Rams

Field markings below required standards. No team areas, coaching areas, limit lines, or numbers were marked. The lines were marked in dark blue which became difficult to see as the light levels lowered. Changing rooms were of adequate size for a crew of five but were a substantial walk away from the field.

Steve Hall #512

2nd February 2025 v Manchester Tyrants

Worcester Royals

The field had been marked leaving only five-yard end zones, so the field was shortened to make an 80-yard field. It was observed that the five-yard lines got progressively further apart the closer they got to midfield, being approximately seven to eight yards apart in the centre of the field but there were always four short yard-line extension markings between each pair of five-yard lines. The markings varied between two and four feet apart in different places, and rarely matched the equally uneven inbounds markings. The field was not in ideal condition due to a rugby match on the same pitch finishing just prior.

Joel Pearson #405

Unknown

Outstanding items from previous weeks

ARU Rhinos

Game cancelled. On the way to the venue, the Referee received a call from ARU informing them that DMU had transport issues and would likely arrive later than planned. After further phone calls, DMU would not expect to arrive until 14:30, plus would then need time to warm up, which would not allow enough time for the completion of three quarters (as required by BUCS regulations) as sunset would be 75 minutes after arrival. Therefore, the teams decided that the game would be cancelled. All officials were either already at the venue or on their way to the venue when this decision was made.

Andrew Murrell #608

2nd February 2025 v Cambridge Pythons

Birmingham Lions

No team areas. The field was marked in black and exceptionally faint in the low sun.

Jed Brookes-Lewis #395

26th January 2025 v SGS Pride

Bristol Barracuda

Field marked in Black. Difficult to see under floodlights. Other sports markings in similar colours. Missing team areas.

Stuart Tabberer #348

9th February 2025 v Bournemouth Bobcats

Brunel Burners

90-yard well-marked field. Some of the markings became hard to see during the game. Team areas were marked to the 15-yard lines. No numbers or nine-yard marks. No limit lines. The game kicked off more than five minutes late and, as kickoff was less than three hours before sunset, the quarters were shortened to ten minutes under Rule [3-2-1-f].

Peter Parsons #321

9th February 2025 v Brighton Panthers

Chichester Spitfires

90-yard rugby field. End zones are short and not necessarily the same size. The team areas were marked to 12 yards instead of 12 feet. Changing rooms were neither private nor lockable, but the crew were able to leave bags at reception.

Daniel Clarke #311

9th February 2025 v RHUL Bears

City Wolfpack

80-yard field with eight-yard end zones marked in pink with other sports markings in white. Main yard lines were approximately 5.5 yards apart. The short yard-line extensions at the sidelines and the hash marks were not a consistent distance apart. No team areas, limit lines, numbers, or nine-yard marks. The visiting team protested the field markings prior to kick off and with 9:07 remaining in the second quarter (with the score at 26-6) they refused to continue with the game citing player safety and injuries to their already small (24 players at KO) squad.

Tim Ockendon #481

2nd February 2025 v Imperial Immortals

Coventry University Jets

Markings are blue on green artificial turf. No nine-yard marks or numbers. One of the first three game balls provided was flat but a suitable replacement was found.

Richard Whitby #136

2nd February 2025 v Sheffield Hallam Warriors

Derby Braves

No nine-yard marks or coaches' boxes (rugby lines used as an approximation). The away team played in two different styles of white jersey.

Joel Pearson #405

16th February 2025 v DMU Lions

Edge Hill Vikings

Field markings below the required standards. No limit lines or numbers. No coaches or team areas were marked. Only four pylons were available, so the end lines were marked with cones. NFL-width hash marks. Upon arrival, 1.5 hours before the game, the changing facilities were unavailable. The changing facilities were opened one hour before the scheduled kickoff time. This hampered the officials' pre-game and also the away team's warm-up. As a result, it was agreed with both teams to move the kickoff time back by 15 minutes. With 6:00 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Head Coach for the away team informed the official on his sideline that, due to player injuries, he felt he could not finish the game safely with his remaining players and therefore would like to forfeit the game.

Steve Hall #512

9th February 2025 v Lancaster Bombers

Edinburgh Mavericks

Team area markings were missing, so they were marked with cones.

Kenneth Glover #71

26th January 2025 v Aberdeen Bulls

Edinburgh Napier Knights

Field surface was very soft underfoot, but a very well marked out field.

Gordon Galloway #7

2nd February 2025 v Glasgow Tigers

Glasgow University Tigers

The game kicked off 61 minutes late as, despite a similar delay for their last home game, Glasgow had to re-mark all four sets of short-yard line extensions (as the chain crew were tasked with this, it then delayed their briefing). A miscommunication with the collection of their own jerseys had Edinburgh having to borrow Glasgow's alternative shirts.

Ali May #42

9th February 2025 v Stirling Clansmen

Hertfordshire Hurricanes

No team areas marked, but cones used as an approximation. All three game balls were below legal pressure.

Andrew Murrell #608

6th January 2025 v Brunel Burners

Kent Falcons

90-yard artificial field marked in red with multiple other sports markings in blue, yellow, and white. The markings were clearer to make out this week. No team area or coaching box lines were present, cones were used instead to mark them. There were no nine-yard marks or numbers, but the rugby markings were used as a reference point instead.

Phil Clarke #262

2nd February 2025 v Essex Blades

Lancaster Bombers

80-yard field marked in blue, with other sports markings in different colours. The coaches and players boxes were too close to the sideline but both teams were well disciplined and gave the crew plenty of room. A poppy was marked at midfield for Remembrance Sunday. The balls that were handed to the officials before the game required significant inflation.

Lee Taylor #183

26th January 2024 v Staffordshire Stallions

Leeds Beckett Carnegie

80-yard field. No limit lines. No three-yard marks, nine-yard marks, or numbers. Several other sports markings were present in close proximity to the end zones. Team areas were marked out using cones. The game balls required inflation prior to use.

David Hewitt #607

2nd February 2025 v Loughborough Students

Leeds Gryphons

80-yard field. No three-yard marks, nine-yard marks, or numbers. Several other sports markings were present in close proximity to the end zones. Team areas were missing but marked out using cones. All three game balls were actually overinflated and required adjusting prior to use.

David Hewitt #607

9th February 2025 v NTU Renegades

Leicester Longhorns

The chain crew were changed during the game. NFL-width hash marks. Three-yard marks at the two-yard line.

Andrew Lovell #559

26th January 2025 v Sheffield Hallam Warriors

LJMU Fury

Field markings below full standards. No nine-yard marks or numbers. No limit lines, team areas or coaching boxes. Several of the main lines were crooked. two small changing rooms supplied for 4 officials, separate area used for pre game and halftime discussions.

Steve Hall #512

2nd February 2025 v Northumbria Mustangs

Loughborough Students

Very faint yard lines and hash marks. No team areas. No three-yard marks.

Brian Yates #29

16th February 2025 v Durham Saints

Nottingham Gold

Red field markings on green made it hard to see under lights. Team areas too close to sidelines. Changing rooms very compact but warm and clean.

Brian Yates #29

26th January 2025 v Durham Saints

Oxford Brookes

100-yard field marked in (mostly) blue. The lines are quite faint and became harder to see as it got darker. No marked coaching box or team areas, however, some rugby markings were used to approximate the position of the team areas. No limit lines. One member of the chain crew changed at half-time.

Peter Parsons #321

9th February 2025 v Sussex Saxons

Portsmouth Destroyers

90-yard field, which has been repainted in a new pink colour. The team and coaching areas were still missing, but the quality of the overall markings was much improved from the last game.

Oliver Maskell #221

2nd February 2025 v SGS Pride

Plymouth Blitz

The pitch was marked with NFL-width hash marks, so cones were used to mark the correct width. Numbers marked on the field on the major yard lines were incorrect and were five yards out of sync. Sideline markers were used to mark the correct yard lines. Changing rooms were very small for officials.

Dave Moore #92

26th January 2025 v Gloucestershire Gladiators

QMBL Vipers

Markings in blue on a rugby field marked in white. Goal posts slightly outside the end lines. The field became very muddy throughout the game, especially between the hashes. The female officials' changing room was also used for female away players and lacks a door handle to the main corridor so has to be accessed from the other side.

Daniel Clarke #311

16th February 2025 v Greenwich Mariners

RHUL Bears

No three-yard marks for try attempts. Team areas marked out with cones. No dedicated changing room, so the crew changed in public changing rooms in sports centre. There was a brief stoppage in the third quarter as a drone was observed in the proximity of the playing area, which was reported to game day management who asked the operator to ground it, which they did.

Andrew Murrell #608

26th January 2025 v Solent Redhawks

Solent Redhawks

100-yard field, mostly marked in yellow apart from the midfield line (white) and the majority of the ten-yard lines (dark colour). Team areas were marked between the 25-yard lines.

Peter Parsons #321

2nd February 2025 v Oxford Brookes

Southampton Stags

The stags set out a nice spread of sandwiches, crisps, and drinks for the officials which is always welcome.

Keith Wickham #423

26th January 2025 v Bournemouth Bobcats

Stirling Clansmen

Multiple other sports markings on the field. No painted team areas but these were marked with cones.

Kenneth Glover #71

26th January 2025 v Heriot-Watt Wolverines

Sussex Saxons

Three-yard marks were marked at the two-yard line. End zones were approximately 11 yards deep. Chains kept breaking throughout the game. The whole chain crew was changed at half-time.

Dean Wright #553

16th February 2025 v Surrey Stingers

Swansea Titans

Sidelines, goal lines, and end lines have been re-marked in red and are noticeably clearer than in the previous game. The original black yard-line extensions were not redone and are fainter. 100-yard field with nine-yard endzones and NFL-width hash marks. No end line pylons were available to assist with spotting the ball. No three-yard marks, team areas, coaching areas, or limit lines. Due to a booking problem, the home team's medical cover was not present at the game. Thankfully, the visiting team's medic was a qualified sports therapist and was able to stand in as the game's medical cover.

Amir Brooks #593

2nd February 2025 v Bristol Barracuda

Tarannau Aberystwyth

Kick-off was delayed for one hour due to the Away team forgetting some Jerseys. As such, quarters were reduced to ten minutes due to light concerns. However, the away team were able to provide two of the three game balls.

Kieran Smith #102

16th February 2025 v Plymouth Blitz

UCL Emperors

Short-yard line extensions were small and only completed shortly before kick-off. The field surface is devoid of grass in places. The balls provided were fairly old and dirty. Changing rooms have no working light or toilet, but are lockable.

Lee Wood #517

26th January 2025 v UEA Pirates

UWE Bullets

The game was abandoned due to a red weather warning and the resultant closure of all UWE campus facilities.

Peter Parsons #321

25th January 2025 v Leeds Beckett Carnegie

Warwick Wolves

Changing rooms were not lockable. Field marking were in a dark colour and slightly offset from other sports markings.

Kieran Smith #102

2nd February 2025 v Leeds Gryphons

York Centurions

Field markings below full standards. The field was marked in red and was difficult to see in places, it will need remarking, preferably in white before the next game at this venue. There were no nine-yard marks or numbers. Team areas, Coaching areas, and Limit lines were missing. The changing rooms were approximately 500 metres from the Car Park, and the field was a further 200 metres from the changing rooms. There were only three toilets for everyone using the Sports fields (1 male, 1 female, and 1 disabled toilet). The Changing rooms were not lockable and were only sufficient for approximately three people.

Ben Griffiths #228

2nd February 2025 v York St John Jaguars

YSJ Jaguars

Field markings below full standards. The field was marked in red and was difficult to see in places, it will need remarking, preferably in white before the next game at this venue. The field was marked as a 90-yard field with five-yard end zones. The Pylons were positioned to make an 80-yard field with ten-yard endzones. There were no nine-yard marks or numbers. Team areas, Coaching areas, and Limit lines were missing. The short yard-line extensions were approximately four yards long and were marked too far from the sideline (approximately NFL-width.) A member of the Sports Centre Ground staff approached the officials after the game asking how the field was, apparently he believed it to be well marked, and he was politely advised it fell well short of full standards. The changing rooms and car park were approximately 700 metres from the field. The Changing rooms were not lockable and were only sufficient for one person. The length of the chain was approximately 9.5 yards between stakes. All three game balls provided were below legal pressure with one requiring significant inflation.

It was observed that the numerals on the back of the Visiting Team’s (Sunderland Spartans’) jerseys were only five inches high. As they had no alternate Jerseys available, they were penalised in accordance with the rules.

Ben Griffiths #228

26th January 205 v York Centurions

PLAY OF THE WEEK:

New this week

Play: 3rd and 5 at the B-35. Team B has 12 players in the formation, and no Team B player is attempting to leave the field. The ball is ready for play, both teams are in formation and the snap is imminent. Quarterback A12, late in the play clock, is struggling to read the defense and the play clock expires.

Ruling?

Last week

Play: The game is being played with a Video Judge. 1st and 10 at Midfield, there are 1:30 seconds left in the game. The clock is not running, the score is tied. Team A attempt a pass play and it is intercepted by B38 at the B-29. B38 returns the ball to A’s end zone for a Touchdown.

After the play the video judge reviews the pay and sees clear evidence of a false start prior to the snap.

Ruling: The game is being played with a Video Judge. 1st and 10 at Midfield, there are 1:30 seconds left in the game. The clock is not running, the score is tied. Team A attempt a pass play and it is intercepted by B38 at the B-29. B38 returns the ball to A’s end zone for a Touchdown.

After the play the video judge reviews the pay and sees clear evidence of a false start prior to the snap.

MECHANICS:

New this week

Game Situation: Team A completes a forward pass inbounds with the clock running. They hurry to the line and get set; immediately before the snap, receiver A87 who is standing in front of the Line Judge commits a false start which the Line Judge flags. At the same time the Head Coach of Team A, who is standing on the Linesman’s side of the field requests a timeout.

Answer next issue…

Last week

Game Situation: Team A punt from midfield.  Team B line up with two punt returners, B23 is on the the Head Linesman's side of the field while B80 is on the Linejudge's side of the field.  The punted ball is caught by B23 and he begins to run upfield with it.  On a 5 man crew, how should the officials work together to ensure that the forward progress of the punt returner is covered?

Answer: The Backjudge has responsibility for the punt returner and should mark the end of the kick with a bean bag (M-12-7-a-1).  As soon as the punt returner moves upfield though, he becomes the runner on a return and should be covered by the official on that sideline.  In this case, the Head Linesman should be in a position to cover B23 as in a normal running play and mark his forward progress (M-11-7 & M-11-6).

Date

Event

Contact for details

2025

15th February (Sat)

BAFRA Board Meeting (Virtual)

secretary@bafra.info

22nd March (Sat)

BAFRA Ltd. AGM

secretary@bafra.info

22nd-23rd March (Sat-Sun)

BAFRA Convention

training@bafra.info

17th May (Sat)

BAFRA Board Meeting

secretary@bafra.info

12th July (Sat)

BAFRA Board Meeting (Virtual)

secretary@bafra.info

8th November (Sat)

BAFRA Board Meeting

secretary@bafra.info

2026

11th-12th April (Sat-Sun)

BAFRA Convention

training@bafra.info

BAFRA Directors

President

David Parsons

president@bafra.info

General Secretary

Richard Moger

secretary@bafra.info

Finance

Stuart Tabberer

finance@bafra.info

Operations

Oliver Maskell

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.