Rams make the play offs

Posted in: Yorkshire Rams, Yorkshire Rams, BAFL 1    By Mike Cluskey Sep 5, 2008 - 8:46:40 AM

So, the regular season comes to an end and an eventful old year has seen the Rams coming second in the division. Year on year progress is what we expect and that has come in the shape of a 7-2-1 record and a place in the play offs, where we will be playing the Sussex Thunder in Crawley, south of London, this Sunday.

Both the BAFL 1 conferences were super close, with our North Conference only being decided in the last week of the season.  Champions were the Redditch Arrows who appear to be coming to their strongest at just the right time.  General Manager Chris Halford and his staff have worked hard to turn the unfashionable midlands outfit into a football powerhouse this year by picking up some of the best playing and coaching talent in the area and watching them gel as a tight unit.  They have to be a strong favourite for the title and their 14-3 victory over the Rams in August ensured them top spot in the conference by one touchdown, that was the only difference in the head to head decider as both teams finished with identical records.

In the South Conference, the Crawley based Sussex Thunder came top with a consistent record of 7-3-0 and last years relegated team, the Southern Sundevils are looking to win the Bowl game and climb back into BAFL Premier for 2009. 

League pundits are placing the Thunder as clear favourites in our encounter, Sussex are well known for their stingy defense, but then again, the 2008 Rams defense has excelled under the tutelage of Mark Sloan and Diego Ciani so this could really be a tight game, the difference could be decided by individual talent on the offensive side of the ball and the Rams are not found lacking in that area.  The exceptional Andy Green at quarterback will be looking for the talented Ben Barker and David Saul at wideout and not forgetting record breaking Justin Lester in the backfield give the Rams enough firepower to worry any team.

Fans are welcome to travel down with the team; the cost per person for the coach is £20 it leaves from the John Charles stadium in Leeds on Sunday at 6.45am. If you wish to drive, it is a 4-5 hour drive there from Leeds on a Sunday if you keep it within the speed limit as we at the Rams always recommend you do. Drop us an email to: management@yorkshirerams.com if you wish to book a place on the team coach.

The winners of these two encounters will make the Britbowl XXII final at the Doncaster Keepmoat Stadium on Saturday 20th September, home of Doncaster Rovers FC, the South Yorkshire Mustangs and recent venue for the Yorkshire leg of the Elton John tour. 

 

Pictures courtesy of Imac Images and Stacey Galloway

 

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