BAFL 2: Preview

Oh boy, it's that time of the year! I have referred to this time a number of times as 'the business end of the season'. Well now that time is here, teams can no longer lose. Losing means NO more football in 2009, game over.

What this means is all teams will be giving their all on the field. All everyone wants is one more game, one more chance to make it to the finals.

Only 8 teams have a chance to be crowned the BAFL 2 Champions. Which of these teams will raise to the top?

BAFL 2

Leicester Falcons at Manchester Titans

Well what can I say about this game?

I know the 10-0 Titans will be looking for a bird lunch when the Falcons visit. The Titans are the number 1 ranked team in BAFL 2 and will expect to advance to the semi finals.

In their way is the Leicester Falcons, who will be looking to shock the league with a famous away victory. Falcons head coach Lester Hopewell will lead his troops to Manchester with a smash and grab victory in mind.

The Falcons are a running team and will need to get ahead in order to try and control the game. The Titans do not know what it means to lose in 2009, expect more of the same on Sunday.

Glasgow Tigers at Staffordshire Surge

The Glasgow Tigers go into their game against the Staffordshire Surge in confident mood. The Tigers have won their last 7 games and have only conceded 35 points.

However they will be playing away from home and in front of the will be the Surge. Both teams finished the season with 8 wins and 2 losses and this game should be another close game on paper.

The Surge are lead into battle by quarterback Richard Large and leading (total) tackler Lee Tretheway. Both players will need to be up for the game in order for Staffordshire to win at home and they will be helped by the teams 'quarterback hunter' Stephen Ward.

If you was asking me I'd say that home advantage will be key in this game. Now I will be unwelcome in Glasgow, but I do think this game will be close.

East Kent Mavericks at Hampshire Thrashers

The South East meets the South West on Sunday. The East Kent Mavericks take the short trip south to play the Hampshire Thrashers. Hampshire go into the game having not lost all season and will be in confident mood.

Both teams have had a very good season scoring lots of points and defending very well. I expect this game to be won within one score either way. I honestly would want to pick a winning.

Bedfordshire Blue Raiders at Colchester Gladiators

The Wivenhoe Stadium hosts a BAFL 2 play off quarter final this Bank Holiday Monday, when the Colchester Gladiators play Bedfordshire Blue Raiders for the third time in 2009.

The Gladiators have beaten the Blue Raiders both home and away this season and will be looking for the same on Monday. In 9 (one game was postponed) games the Gladiators have scored an incredible 431 points. Stopping this high scoring offence looks like it will be key for the Blue Raiders this weekend.

The Blue Raiders failed to score in both games against the Gladiators but will take heart that they only conceded 20 points in the Gladiators opening game of the season and 26 points in the return fixture.

I've checked the Gladiators web site and the stats show how they expect to win on Monday and it's simple. By running the ball, players Alex Robinson (leading rusher, 859 yards), Leo Beckford (608 yards) and Richard Thomas (475 yards) will each look to get their hands on the football to pound the Blue Raiders into the ground.

Will the Blue Raider be able to raise there game for what will be a brushing affair.

All stats are taken from the teams web site. If they are out of data that is why, apologies.

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