NAME

#

TEAM

CODE

Q

OFFENCE

SUSPENDED

New this week

Jorge Santana Angulo

2

Manchester Titans (U19)

TUF

2

With 10:56 remaining in the second quarter, Manchester's QB (#2) was tackled and both he and an opponent wrestled for control of the ball. A whistle for forward progress was blown, and the players were encouraged to separate. Upon standing, #2 directed a derogatory comment towards his opponent, which was entirely unnecessary. This was penalised for Unsportsmanlike Conduct.

During the final play of the first half, #2 contacted an opponent well away from the play, and then, whilst the opponent was prone on the ground, proceeded to drop onto the player, leading with his elbow in a clear attempt to punish the player. This resulted in a second penalty for Unsportsmanlike Conduct.

6th July 2025 v Chester Romans (U19)

Kieran Hill

50/97

Rushmoor Knights (U19)

FGT

3

With 1:01 remaining in the third quarter, #97 continued to aggressively block a player who was clearly out of the play, which drew a penalty for unnecessary roughness. After the ball was dead, #97 continued to act aggressively towards the player, which led to players from both sides getting involved with each other. During this fracas, #97 threw several punches. Upon checking the roster, there was no #97 listed; however, the Head Coach confirmed the player's identity as the player listed as #50 on the roster.

20th July 2025 v Solent Seahawks

Thomas Ukpong

91

Solent Thrashers

FGT

3

Towards the end of the third quarter, Solent #91 engaged in a fight with Somerset #26.

6th July 2025 v Somerset Wyverns

Nathan Kwame Owusu-Ansa

3

South London Renegades

MIS

-

Used a belt to strike multiple players after a game

20th July 2025 & all games until 24th September 2025

Louis Mallender

26

Somerset Wyverns

FGT

3

Towards the end of the third quarter, Somerset #26 engaged in a fight with Solent #91.

6th July v Solent Thrashers

Previous weeks

Matthew Hyndman

21

Chester Romans

TUF

4

Early in the third quarter, number 21 stood over a prone opponent and taunted them. Between the third and fourth quarters, whilst changing ends, number 21 verbally abused an Official. He was disqualified.

Upon completion of the penalty and announcement of disqualification, number 21 re-entered the field, removed his helmet, threw it to the ground and charged at the officials. He had to be restrained by a number of teammates and coaches. This was treated as Misconduct and a second fixed penalty offence

29th June 2025 v Scunthorpe Alphas and 6th July 2025 v Merseyside Nighthawks

Oliver Hourston

75

Highland Wildcats (U19)

FGT

3

With 3:43 remaining in the third quarter, #75 was thrown to the ground by their helmet by Napier #40 as the ball passed the pair of them. This act was penalised as a live ball personal foul. #75 retaliated by wrestling and clearly punching #40 on the ground with #40 retaliating in kind. The two players had to be separated by players from both teams and the officials.

20th July 2025 v East Kilbride Pirates U19

Samantha Read

21

London Warriors (NWFL)

TUF

4

With 9:42 remaining in the fourth quarter, #21 was penalised for Unsportsmanlike Conduct for standing over and taunting a prone player. As this penalty was being enforced #21 then shouted at officials, "You should be supporting women in sport". This was considered discriminatory language towards an official and resulted in a second Unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty.

5th July 2025 v Manchester Titans

Sam Langford

55

Norwich Devils

FUC

4

With 2.35 remaining in the fourth quarter, following a dead ball foul by a different Norwich player in front of the Ipswich bench, a fracas developed. During this #55 was seen to drop on a prone Ipswich player, knees first and then gestured with his arms in an Iron Man pose.

29th June 2025 v Ouse Valley Eagles

James Simpson

74

Nottingham Caesars

TUF

3

With 9:51 remaining in the third quarter, #74 was penalised for Unsportsmanlike Conduct, after the play had ended, for maintaining physical contact with and pushing an opponent well after the whistle had blown. Following the announcement of the penalty, #74 directed a derogatory comment towards the Referee, which resulted in a second penalty for Unsportsmanlike Conduct.

At the conclusion of the game, the player returned to the playing enclosure, sought out the officials to confront them and prevented them from leaving the playing enclosure. This was a second act of Misconduct.

20th July 2025 v Coventry Phoenix and next 4 competitive games thereafter

Jaiden Moesson

18

Sandwell Steelers (U19)

TUF

3

In the second quarter, #18 got to his feet after the play had ended and shoved an opposing player in the chest with both hands, drawing a first unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. With 5:43 remaining in the third quarter, #18, significantly away from the play and after the play had ended, shoved another opposing player in the chest with both hands, drawing a second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

6th July 2025 v Birmingham Lions

Chris Herbert

AC

Sheffield Giants

TUF

4

With 14:44 remaining in the third quarter, an assistant coach entered the field to remonstrate with an official in an aggressive manner and was penalised for unsportsmanlike conduct. With 0:05 remaining in the fourth quarter, the same assistant coach remonstrated with an official using abusive language. This resulted in a second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

29th June v Yorkshire Rams & 6th July 20025 v Scunthorpe Alphas

* As this was a disqualification of a non-player, this is a whole game day suspension as opposed to just a playing suspension. Mr Herbet may not be present at the game site in any capacity.

Dionte Wilson

9

Yorkshire Rams

TUF

4

With 3:00 remaining in the third quarter, #7 was seen piling on following a play and pulling opponents off the pile. Following a play towards the end of the fourth quarter, #7 was heard to use language inciting an opponent.

29th June 2025 v Sheffield Giants

HOME TEAM

REPORT

NEXT HOME GAME

New this week

Aberdeen Roughnecks

No nine-yard markings. Kenneth Glover #71

Unknown

Berkshire Renegades

The changing rooms were too small for the crew to use just one. Two were provided, but did not have any coat hooks and were not locked

Julian Mallia #336

Unknown

Bristol Apache

Missing 3-yard marks. Faded white markings, visible enough in the sunlight.

Stuart Tabberer #348

Unknown

Hertfordshire Cheetahs

The game kicked off 30 minutes later than scheduled to ensure officials had their mandatory break between games.

Andrew Murrell #608

10th August 2025 v Rushmoor Knights

Hertfordshire Cheetahs (U19)

The game kicked off 15 minutes late. Balls were slightly below legal pressure. A well-marked field, as always, but still a considerable walk from the changing rooms. Andrew Murrell #608

Unknown

Ipswich Cardinals (U19)

Well marked 100-yard field all in white. Officials changing room whilst lockable is exceedingly compact and any crew larger than four would struggle to fit. The private toilet/shower both lack doors so alternative toilet facilities were used within the clubhouse instead. The away team arrived ten minutes prior to scheduled 12:00 kick-off time, both Ipswich and the crew were aware they had been delayed as there were members of London coaching staff that had travelled separately to the team and were in regular contact with coaches who were on the team bus. Due to venue/medical time constraints it was not possible to allow for a delay that exceeded 12:15 by too much and the game ended up starting at 12:20 and finished before venue/medic availability would have become an issue. Entire chain crew were replaced at half time, and the original assistants plus footballs were only provided 20 minutes before kickoff.

Phil Clarke #262

Unknown

London Olympians

Changing rooms not locked during the game, though were in a relatively secure area. The goalposts had reverted back to the rugby posts and caused no issues.

Daniel Clarke #311

6th July 2025 v Kent Exiles

London Warriors

The field and team area markings at Greenwich University are very faint and can be extremely difficult to see. There was one stoppage for a repair to the chain set. The changing rooms, while spacious and well-equipped, are shared with the university gym and are therefore public and not lockable. They are also a significant walk from the field.

Peter Parsons #321

6th July 2025 v Cambridgeshire Cats

Manchester Titans

This fixture was cancelled around 22:00 on Saturday, 21-06-25, due to Newcastle Vikings forfeiting the game.

Ian Rogers #625

9th August 2025 v Coventry Phoenix

Manchester (U19)

A well-marked 90-yard field in black with other sports markings present on the field in various colours. No goal line marker at one end and no pylons at the hash marks extended. During the first half, a Sheffield player received treatment from the gameday medic for a suspected concussion following an innocuous tackle, which resulted in the medic advising he would not return to the game. During the halftime interval, his condition deteriorated, which caused significant enough concern to warrant an urgent response from both the local ambulance service and the North West Air Ambulance. Officials & Gameday management each assisted in clearing the field of all equipment to allow for a safe landing zone for the helicopter. The interval was extended by 40 minutes to accommodate the medical teams. The player was eventually transported by a normal ambulance to a local hospital. There were a number of changes to officials' assistants throughout the game and mostly without prior notification.

Ian Rogers #625

Unknown

Merseyside Nighthawks

Three-yard marks were marked at the two-yard line. No coaches boxes. A number of other lines were present in different colours across the field.

John Roberts #145

Unknown

Nottingham Caesars

Field marked in blue with other sports markings present, occasionally leading to confusion. Team areas marked to 25-yard lines and too close to the sideline. A full-size, lockable changing room (with air conditioning!) was provided; however, the sports centre reception staff were slow to unlock this, meaning the officials were unable to gain access at half time.

Jed Brookes-Lewis #395

Unknown

Nottingham Caesars (U19)

Field marked in blue with other sports markings present, occasionally leading to confusion. Team areas marked to 25-yard lines and too close to the sideline. A full-size, lockable changing room (with air conditioning!) was provided; however, the sports centre reception staff were slow to unlock this, meaning the officials were unable to gain access at half time.

Emma Harris #236

Unknown

Rushmoor Knights

100-yard field marked to a very high standard, although the goalposts are too wide as they are extensions to a soccer goal. Multiple changes to officials’ assistants at halftime. With 0:30 remaining in the fourth quarter, the goalposts at one succumbed to the breeze and collapsed - the field was "flipped" and the remaining time was played towards the other end.

Oliver Maskell #221

Unknown

Somerset Wyverns

100-yard field. The officials changed in the conference room, which was neither private nor lockable, but was better than the soccer/rugby officials' changing room next door.

Euan Paterson #165

20th July 2025 v Bournemouth Bobcats

South London Renegades (U19)

Changing rooms not locked during the game, though were in a relatively secure area. The goalposts had reverted back to the rugby posts and caused no issues.

Daniel Clarke #311

20th July 2025 v Ipswich Cardinals

Staffordshire Surge

Lines were slightly faint due to rain. A stadium microphone was provided for use by the Referee during the game. On agreement from both clubs, a minute's silence was held before kickoff in memory of Josh Rowan, a member of the Oxford Saints, who passed away last weekend - this was impeccably observed.

Krister Halvorsen #77

Unknown

Outstanding items from previous weeks

Bournemouth Bobcats

Well-marked field, though there were some clashes of markings with other sports.

Dean Wright #553

29th June v Bristol Apache

Chester Romans

Team areas were absent but were marked with cones. Otherwise, a well-marked 90-yard field.

Paul Todd #289

6th July 2025 v Merseyside Nighthawks

Chorley Buccaneers (U19)

Well-marked 100-yard field. No team areas marked. All three game balls required inflation prior to use.

David Hewitt #607

20th July 2025 v Manchester Titans

Clyde Valley Blackhawks

No numbers or nine-yard marks.

Kenneth Glover #71

6th July 2025 v Aberdeen Roughnecks

Cornwall Monarchs

Changing rooms were very small again with enough room for three officials maximum. Assistants were supplied late but were briefed in time for the kickoff. A 'rabbit hole' in the field was identified and filled in just before kickoff. 90-yard field with blue markings.

Dave Moore #92

6th July 2025 v Swindon Storm

Coventry Phoenix

Plenty of water and a selection of Samosas were provided for the officials.

Keith Wickham #423

20th July 2025 v Nottingham Caesars

East Kilbride Pirates

No numbers or nine-yard marks.

Henry Richardson #25

6th July 2025 v Newcastle Vikings

East Kilbride Pirates (U19)

No numbers or nine-yard marks.

Henry Richardson #25

6th July 2025 v Highland Wildcats

Gateshead Senators

A well-marked 90-yard field. No limit lines. The game balls required inflation prior to use. The changing room is normally a general meeting room, but as this was being used by the athletics club, the officials had to change in the team changing room once it had been vacated.

David Hewitt #607

29th June 2025 v Humber Warhawks

Glasgow Tigers

The field surface was uneven. An alternative changing room had to be found for the officials due to the original one being too small.

Gordon Galloway #7

29th June 2025 v Inverclyde Goliaths

Ipswich Cardinals

A well-marked field. However, the numbers were correctly positioned but too small. No chain reference points. Rabbit holes infield had to be filled, which was completed well ahead of kick off. Half time was extended to 50 minutes to deal with a coach who collapsed on the sideline at the end of the first half. Total delay was 1:05, including team warm-ups.

Lee Wood #517

29th June 2025 v Oxford Saints

Lancashire Buccaneers

Well-marked 100-yard field. Team areas were missing.

David Hewitt #607

29th June 2025 v Leicester Panthers

Leicester Panthers

Faint markings in yellow. No try marks. Team areas marked with cones. No nine-yard marks or numbers, but the Rugby markings were close enough to use.

Jed Brookes-Lewis #395

6th July 2025 v Leigh Miners

London Blitz

One post was crooked. The changing room was lockable but had no private shower or toilet. One area of the field had puddles of standing water, but by the end of the first half the water had gone. Overnight, there was a marquee erected which was ~14 feet from the sideline, the supports were covered with pads and ran from about the 40-yard line to the five-yard line at one end of the field.

Lee Wood #517

20th July 2025 v London Warriors

London Blitz (U19)

100-yard grass field with ten-yard end zones marked in white. The field surface was sandy in places but was reasonably level throughout. Field markings had been re-marked with spray paint, leading to some crooked lines and the inbounds markings are unevenly spaced. No limit lines or team area markings on the away sideline. The numbers were the incorrect size. The goals were too wide, and one was slightly out of alignment. The usual changing room was not available, but an alternative was found, which was spacious and lockable but with no facilities.

Tim Ockendon #481

20th July 2025 v London Warriors

London Warriors (NWFL)

Multiple sports markings. Missing team areas and limit lines. Lines were a very faint blue (on green surface). Short yard-line extensions were invisible from a range of three yards away, and visible when closer only if a) the angle of the sun was right or b) you noticed that the texture of the turf was slightly different in "painted" areas. The low visibility of markings delayed the spotting of the ball to the point of interfering with attempts to run a no huddle offence. Game kicked off five minutes late due to the late arrival of the medic. Second half kicked off ten minutes late due to changes to all five officials assistants. With around nine mins left in the second quarter, the crew size dropped to three due to a non-contact injury to the line judge, with the umpire moving to that position.

Ben Gadsby #564

26th July 2025 v Birmingham Lions

London Warriors (U19)

Field was used by soccer until 12:00 (scheduled KO). By the time the field was vacated and equipment was setup, game kicked off 20 minutes late. Field markings at the venue are very faint, and very hard to see if the sun is shining. Chain crew members replaced at half time. Three balls supplied, all below legal pressure. No lockable changing room, but facility in SU building is spacious enough.

Andrew Murrell #608

6th July 2025 v Ipswich Cardinals

Manchester Titans (NWFL)

A well-marked 90-yard field marked in black with other sports markings present on the field marked in dark blue

Steve Hall #512

5th July 2025 v London Warriors

Newcastle Vikings

90-yard field. No three-yard marks, nine-yard marks, or numbers. Field markings were faint, particularly the inbounds markings.

Ian Rogers #625

10th August 2025 v Nottingham Caesars

Oxford Saints

A small changing room was provided for a crew of five, making for a cramped pregame.

Mark Schofield #557

20th July 2025 v Ouse Valley Eagles

Plymouth Vanguard

Once again, very good gameday management. A well-marked field and officials had the use of a large bar area for changing and pre- and post-match briefings.

Dave Moore #92

29th June 2025 v Cornwall Monarchs

Portsmouth Dreadnoughts

90-yard field marked in pink. Ball assistants were presented to be briefed about ten minutes before kick-off. Changing room is a good size, however it is not lockable and a loud extractor fan disrupts pregame discussions.

Oliver Maskell #221

29th June 2025 v London Blitz B

Sandwell Steelers

The game kicked off 15 minutes late due to the late finish of the preceding junior game, then another five minutes after the non-appearance of the chain crew and ball persons. Multiple chain crew changes. The field is missing nine-yard marks and has the smallest possible legal end zones.

Joel Pearson #405

20th July 2025 v Northants Knights

Sheffield Giants

Team areas were absent but were marked with cones. Otherwise, a well-marked 90-yard field.

Paul Todd #289

29th June 2025 v Yorkshire Rams

Shropshire Revolution

Markings for other sports were present in the same colour as the American football markings. Only one sideline had a painted team area. Otherwise, a well-marked 90-yard field.

Paul Todd #289

29th June 2025 v Northants Knights

Solent Thrashers

Game cancelled on Saturday morning due to issues with the venue.

Oliver Maskell #221

6th July 2025 v Somerset Wyverns

South Wales Warriors

The hash marks were extremely wide, so pylons had to be used to mark the correct width. The changing area and briefing room were a good size, with refreshments provided for officials.

Dave Moore #92

25th June 2025 v Somerset Wyverns

Yorkshire Academy Assassins (U19)

The field was marked with cones, as were the team areas.

Dave Black #574

19th July 2025 (Tournament)

Yorkshire Rams

90-yard field marked in blue, which was difficult to see in places prior to kickoff. This was made worse by a sharp downpour right at the start of the game, which washed away most of the inbounds markings. The changing room provided for the officials contained a fair amount of rugby training materials, which had to be moved to create space to get changed. Following the game the crew noted that the showers were out of action

Lee Taylor #183

20th July 2025 v Sheffield Giants

PLAY OF THE WEEK:

New this week

Play: On a correctly marked 100 yard field, how many hash marks are there?

Ruling?

Last week

Play: Team A 2nd and 5 at the B-45. Wide Receiver A88 is running a pass route near the sideline, untouched by an opponent, he then steps on the sideline with one foot, he then take multiple further steps which all take place in bounds. QB A1 throws the ball to A89, the pass hits A89 in the chest and then falls incomplete.

Defensive End B99 is flagged for Roughing the Passer

Ruling: Team A 2nd and 5 at the B-45. There are two fouls on the play; PF-RTP (9-1-9) by B99 and ITP (7-3-4) by A88. The fouls offset and the down will be repeated. (8-3-3-a).

MECHANICS:

New this week

Game Situation: On a 6C crew, where should the Centre Judge stand on a field goal attempt?

Answer next issue…

Last week

Game Situation: On a 4 man crew, Player A34 is in position to catch a forward pass near the sideline.  He jumps to catch the ball and comes down with it either in or out of bounds.  How should a covering wing official watch the play in order to ensure the best possible coverage of the action?

Answer: M11.4.c.1.  A wing official should watch a player's feet first when an airborne player attempts to catch a ball close to the sideline.  If the player lands in bounds, the official should then look to the player's hands to see if he had control.  If the official looks at his hands first he may miss the instant when his feet first touch the ground.  The same mechanics are true of large crews, but when working larger crews officials should attempt to establish eye-contact with their sideline colleague before ruling on the pass.

Date

Event

Contact for details

2025

12th July (Sat)

BAFRA Board Meeting (Virtual)

secretary@bafra.info

8th November (Sat)

BAFRA Board Meeting

secretary@bafra.info

2026

11th April (Sat)

BAFRA Ltd. AGM

secretary@bafra.info

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

Mark Schofield

finance@bafra.info

Operations

Oliver Maskell

operations@bafra.info

Recruitment

Emma Harris

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.