Flag Tournament 1-Woodham
Posted in:
BAFL Youth Flag,
BAFL Youth Flag,
BAFL Cadet Flag
By Andrew Gambrill
May 20, 2009 - 9:29:59 AM
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Woodham Flag Tournament
Tournament 1 in Woodham saw some great football played by the stars of tomorrow. The 2008 champions in each age group carried on their winning ways by triumphing in their respective age groups, with Woodham Warriors winning the Youth and Junior competitions and Coventry Bears taking the Cadet crown.
The Coventry Bears cadet side containing many of last years championship winning players ran out victorious in a competive final against Chorley Buccaneers. Led by by captain and MVP Hannah Russell-Yarde the fun loving Bears day was summed up by second year player, Vickie Mepstead when she enthused, “My favourite part of the day was playing as a team and playing on the team with my friends”, which says all you need to know about Cadet Flag football
Led by Head Coach Lee Taylor with a team of mainly rookies, the Chorley cadets gave it their all, with rookie quarterback Zak Christie leading the offense with a calm and cool presence never showing any nerves in any of the games. Other rookies included Stefan Collins and James Schofield who both got their first touchdowns in the tournament.
Roger Smitihies, Head Coach of the third placed Studley Bearcats was delighted with his teams efforts though was particulalrly pleased with Aki Adelsteinson, making his debut at quarterback, turning in what Smithies described as “A creditable performance”
In the junior age group, the Warriors had two teams in the tournament and both reached the final, to set up a Woodham vs. Woodham clash. Eventually it was Woodham 1 who won the game in convincing fashion by winning 40-0. The MVP award was won by Andrew Vincent of Woodham 1 who scored 12 touchdowns and managed 2 safeties during the day.
The Chorley Juniors were led by new Head Coach Lawrence Quinn and new Defensive Coordinator Steven Czarnecki. Rookie's William Powley and Mattie Holt both got their first ever touchdowns and then decided that one wasn't enough and went on to score more , along with quarterback and Captain Arron Taylor and rookie quarterback Alex Gordon both playing smart and throwing for touchdowns throughout the day. Coventry Bears junior quarterback, Tom Clancy, admitted it was a “frustrating” day for him sitting on the sidelines with a broken arm, but was full of praise for his team mates particulalrly rookie Stephen Pinks. “Stephen played extremely well, making some terrific catches and making some touchdown saving tackles”.
Meanwhile in the Youth age group, after the key off-season losses of ex-Great Britain Lions receivers Dan Lerner and James Brown, the new look Warriors were looking to prove that these losses didn’t effect them as much as some thought they would; and after only conceding six points in five games they certainly did that. Warriors veteran Elliott Holt was the standout player of the day, deservedly winning the MVP award for his first performance at wide receiver since being switched from centre. He scored an impressive 14 touchdowns and 6 conversions and also made four interceptions to help the Warriors finish first ahead of Chorley and Coventry. The Chorley Youth side was made up of 5 Junior Kitted players in order to get the one Youth Flag player some competitive game time, and although they had never played quarterback before both James McGovern and Lee Blundell stepped up to the task and never let their heads drop if anything went wrong. Rookie Alex Williams who had never played flag before put on some great performances for both offense and defense getting his first competitive points. Despite a draw being their best result on the day Bears Youth team captain Sam Johns was upbeat saying, “We learnt a lot on the day and feel we will now be able to do better next time”. Spectators were impressed with the Coventry side’s togetherness and resolve, Sam admitted, “We don't see ourselves as a team but more of a family”. On a difficult debut for the Coventry youth team, the players spirit pulled them through.
As usual the hosts Woodham put on a fantastic tournament, with their volunteer referees drawing particular praise. The next confirmed tournament is in Peterborough on Saturday 20th June, though the BAFL hope to announce another tournament to take place prior to the Peterborough event.
Results
Cadet
Chorley 19 Studley 6
Studley 0 Coventry 24
Coventry 30 Chorley 0
Studley 0 Chorley 18
Coventry 26 Studley 0
Chorley 6 Coventry 19
Final - Chorley 6 Coventry 25
MVP - Hannah Russell-Yarde(Coventry Bears)
left to right Brad Bowers, Stephen Pinks & Millie Barrett of the Coventry Bears junior team against Chorley Buccaneers.
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Junior
Woodham1 42 Chorley 12
Coventry 6 Woodham2 29
Woodham2 6 Woodham1 39
Chorley 45 Coventry 6
Woodham1 41 Coventry 0
Woodham2 25 Chorley 19
Final - Woodham1 40 Woodham2 0
MVP - Andrew Vincent (Woodham 1)
MVP - Elliott Holt (Woodham)
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Youth
Chorley 0 Woodham 34
Woodham 37 Coventry 0
Coventry 13 Chorley 13
Woodham 41 Chorley 0
Coventry 6 Woodham 33
Chorley 19 Coventry 7
Final - Woodham 40 Chorley 0
MVP - Elliott Holt (Woodham)
League Standings
Cadet
Coventry Bears 5
Chorley Buccaneers 3
Studley Bearcats 2
Junior
Woodham Warriors1 5
Woodham Warriors2 3
Chorley Buccaneers 2
Coventry Bears 1
Youth
Woodham Warriors 5
Chorley Buccaneers 3
Coventry Bears 2
Images cortesy of Karen Bowers and Mr. Woodhead