The Bulls’ third game of 2012, the third home game in a row, welcomes the 2011 Division 1 Central rivals, the Leicester Falcons to Holly Lane. The Bulls enjoyed 2 regular season wins against the Falcons en route to a 9-1 Conference title win last season. The Falcons had the last laugh however, as they . . . → Read More: Falcons at Bulls Preview]]>

The Bulls’ third game of 2012, the third home game in a row, welcomes the 2011 Division 1 Central rivals, the Leicester Falcons to Holly Lane. The Bulls enjoyed 2 regular season wins against the Falcons en route to a 9-1 Conference title win last season. The Falcons had the last laugh however, as they reached the Division 1 BritBowl Final before succumbing to the East Kilbride offensive powerhouse.

This season, both teams are still searching for their first win, albeit, Leicester having only played one game so far – a 0-0 defensive battle against the Bulls’ last opponents, Yorkshire Rams.

Last week saw a much improved defensive performance from the young Bulls team. Although the offense started with a bang against the Rams, they struggled for yardage throughout the remainder of the game.

Venue:

Erin Go Bragh

Holly Lane

Erdington

B24 9LH

Tickets:

Non Members:                                  Holly Lane Members:

Adults – £3                                           Adults – £2

Students – £1                                     Children – £1

Under 18s – £1

If you purchased a family K-PON ticket via Kerrang Radio! just show this at the gate.

UNITED WE STAND!

To misquote Dinah Washington, what a difference a week makes. Eight days after the heavy home defeat at the hands of East Kilbride Pirates, the Bulls once again played host to another old rival, the Yorkshire Rams.

Both sides of the ball had points to prove as the offense . . . → Read More: Rams at Bulls Review]]> Yorkshire Rams 6-6 Birmingham Bulls

To misquote Dinah Washington, what a difference a week makes. Eight days after the heavy home defeat at the hands of East Kilbride Pirates, the Bulls once again played host to another old rival, the Yorkshire Rams.

Both sides of the ball had points to prove as the offense were kept to under 50 yards, whilst the defense allowed the Pirates to rack up almost 500 offensive yards in the 2012 season opener.

Following an offside call on the opening kick-off, WR Teejay Denzel took the ball all the way to the house on the retaken kick, only for a penalty to erase the score. It seemed the offensive troubles from the Pirates game were resurfacing, as the Bulls failed to gain any ground through the first three downs, and after failing to convert on 4^th down, were quickly back on the side line.

The defense came out fighting, though. Just two plays in to the Rams opening possession, LB Brendan Cunnane fell on a Rams fumble, bringing the offense back on to the field.

Last week saw the offense complete only 4 of 20 passes. On the Bulls second offensive drive, the very first play saw QB Luke Vojnar hit WR Teejay Denzel for a 32 yard score through the air. Alex Shennan’s PAT was low, however, and was easily blocked by the Rams.

The vast contrast between the Pirates and Rams games was once again evident on the ensuing kick-off. Whereas last week, the Bulls tackling was questionable to say the least, LB Alex Shennan laid out the Rams returner with a huge side line hit that set the tone for a what would turn out to be a tough defensive battle throughout the afternoon.

After the Rams gained big yardage on a couple of runs, both teams exchanged 3 and outs before Rams DB Chris Rushton intercepted a wayward Vojnar pass to bring the Rams offense back on to start the 2^nd quarter.

Unable to take advantage of the turnover, the Rams punted into the Bulls endzone, bringing the offense back on at the 20. It looked like another 3 and out for the now stuttering offense, but on third down, the Vojnar-TJ connection struck again for a big gain.  Looking for TJ again on the following play, Vojnar’s deep ball was batted down in to the hands of Rams DB William Obubo for their second pick of the day.

Two plays later and the Rams were down at the Bulls’ 6 yard line. After punching the ball in along the ground, a flag on the play for holding brought the ball back. Undeterred, the Rams aired it out to the corner of the end zone to level the score at 6-6.

DB Jack O’Mahony blocked the PAT, which was recovered by G Jordan Butel. A rush of blood to the head saw Jordan suddenly believe he was Troy Polamalu in SuperBowl 43, cutting across field and trying to take it back to the house behind some great blocks.

From the beginning of the second half, both defenses continued to wreak havoc on the opposing offenses. On the Rams opening drive of the half, the Rams were immediately forced in to punting the ball away after Jack O’Mahony dropped an easy INT.

After converting on 4^th down courtesy of a QB sneak, Vojnar then threw his third pick of the day, as Rams DB William Obubo returned the ball to the Bulls 38 yard line – his 2^nd pick of the day. Immediately though, the Bulls snagged their 2^nd pick as rookie corner Tyrone Johnston jumped in front of the Rams receiver.

Both teams exchanged 3 and outs as the 3^rd quarter came to a close, a scenario that continued deep into the 4^th. Entering the 2 minute warning, the Bulls offense took to the field at their own 45, but immediately turned the ball over via a Vojnar pick, this time picked off by Rams DB Gary Mulvey.

Rather than go for it on 4^th down, which if unsuccessful would have seen the Bulls start around the Rams 35 yard line, they decide to punt the ball away with just 31 seconds remaining on the clock.

With just 8 seconds remaining, Vojnar looked like he had just thrown his 5^th pick of the day, but the Rams DB (the number evaded me…) saw pay dirt ahead of him, and rather than securing the ball properly, he promptly dropped what would have been a pick six to win the game for the Rams.

With just two seconds remaining, and the Bulls backed up inside their own 15, Vojnar fell on a fumble just short of the end zone, and the game was finished at 6-6.

This tie marks the first game in 13 meetings between the two sides that hasn’t ended in a Bulls victory. The Bulls offense will probably be a little disappointed that they could not continue their early good form throughout the game. However, the defense can take great heart in a much improved performance in the second game of the season.

Next up is another home tie, against 2011 Division 1 Central rivals Leicester Falcons on Sunday 13^th May. Family tickets are available through Kerrang! Radio (T&C apply), and a full game preview will be up by mid-week.

UNITED WE STAND!

Rob A

Picture courtesy of Hannah-Caitlin Dale (@HannahCaitlin)

See 40+ pictures by Hannah on the Official Facebook page.

The Birmingham Bulls host the Yorkshire Rams this Sunday (6th) at Erin Go Bragh, Erdington. The game is the second for each side, with both looking to put their first points, and win, of 2012 on the board.

The game reignites an old rivalry in what is the Rams’ 25th year playing football, but this match-up . . . → Read More: Rams at Bulls Preview]]>

The Birmingham Bulls host the Yorkshire Rams this Sunday (6^th) at Erin Go Bragh, Erdington. The game is the second for each side, with both looking to put their first points, and win, of 2012 on the board.

The game reignites an old rivalry in what is the Rams’ 25^th year playing football, but this match-up sees the two teams square off for the first time since 2006.

Following a heavy defeat last Sunday at home to East Kilbride, in which the Pirates defense kept the Bulls under 50 offensive yards and just two first downs all game, the Bulls will be looking to right a few wrongs on both sides of the ball.

2011 was a good year for the renowned Bulls defense, but the Pirates ground game took full advantage of some sloppy tackling to rack up 253 rushing yards. After a few early incompletions, the Pirates then began airing the ball out for big gains, adding another 210 yards through the air on the day.

On the opposite side of the ball, RB Leon Williamson contributed more than half of the Bulls yardage all day, but will still be looking to prove a point this Sunday as the Pirates tough front 7 kept him in check. A lot more will also be expected of the Quarterbacks, following just 4 completions from 20 passing attempts, including two interceptions.

Whilst the Rams offense also failed to put points up against Leicester Falcons in their 2012 opener, their defense fared much better in atrocious conditions, with the game ending 0-0. Such a powerful performance in poor conditions will have the Rams defense confident of even bigger things in more hospitable conditions.

Both teams will want to ensure they do not fall further behind Premiership North leaders East Kilbride (2-0) in the race for the playoffs, and Sunday’s game promises to be a physical encounter. So make sure you can get down to the game!

Venue:

Erin Go Bragh

Holly Lane

Erdington

B24 9LH

Tickets:

Non-Members                              Members

Adults                   £3                          Adults                   £2

Students              £1                           Under 18s           £1

Under 18s           £1

For those that can’t make it, all the action will once again be tweeted LIVE! during the game. Join the stampede on Facebook or Twitter.

UNITED WE STAND!

Rob A

2012 started as 2011 ended – a home defeat to old rivals, the East Kilbride Pirates.

After winning the coin toss and electing to receive, EKP made light work of their opening drive, marching down the field with a succession of big gains on the ground by RB . . . → Read More: East Kilbride Pirates 47 – 0 Birmingham Bulls]]> East Kilbride Pirates 47 – 0 Birmingham Bulls

2012 started as 2011 ended – a home defeat to old rivals, the East Kilbride Pirates.

After winning the coin toss and electing to receive, EKP made light work of their opening drive, marching down the field with a succession of big gains on the ground by RB Iain Dick and mobile QB Ryan Hunter, culminating in a 32 yard rushing TD from Dick. The only positive taken from this drive by the Bulls was that Hunter was 0-2 through the air.

Following a quick 3 and out on the Bulls’ opening possession, EKP began driving the ball once more, ending their second offensive drive with a 26 yard TD from Hunter to WR Craig Towler. With the PAT no good, Pirates were up 13-0 with plenty of time remaining in the 1^st quarter.

The Bulls’ offense struggled for rhythm, and indeed 1^st downs (2 all day, both courtesy of Pirates penalties), throughout the game whereas the ground combination of Dick and Hunter was starting to come alive. EKP’s third offensive possession saw Hunter tear down the side-line for a 74 yard score. Offensively, the Bulls struggled once more as just 4 plays into their next possession were forced to punt once more. However, this time the Bulls’ defense stood strong, forcing the Pirates to punt.

Unable to take advantage, the Bulls once again punted back to EKP. The option attack was causing the Bulls’ defense all sorts of problems, swiftly moving the ball downfield once more before one of the few highlights of the day for the defense. After a 20+ yard completion from back-up EKP QB Neil Baptie, another attempt through the air was picked off by Double Coverage co-founder and Bulls DB Rich Penwright in one of the few highlights of the 1^st half for the Bulls.

Once more however, the Bulls offense couldn’t move the ball, with RB Leon Williamson struggling to break through a stout Pirates defense. Following yet another 3 and out, the Pirates, still with back-up Baptie at the helm, moved the ball downfield at will with 2 completions of 20+ yards before RB Dick ran in for his second score on the ground of the day. The one defensive highlight of this EKP drive was a thumping QB sack by #21 James Plant.

With a successful PAT, the Bulls entered half time trailing 27-0.

Offensive turnovers were aplenty for both teams throughout the second half, with Pirates LB McTague forcing a fumble on the opening Bulls drive. Following a brief defensive stand that saw Pirates QB Hunter return to the game only to be sacked on successive plays, he then threw another TD pushing the score up to 34-0, and effectively ending the game for the young Bulls squad.

Following a fumbled handoff recovered by James Plant, the Bulls were once again stuffed by the Pirates defense. This time however, a high snap on the punt left Alex Shennan scrambling back to recover the ball at the Bulls’ 4 yard line. Two plays later, and Hunter ran it in on a QB keeper, ending the 3^rd quarter 41-0.

With the Bulls unable to gain any effective yardage either through the air or on the ground, DT and new GB Lion Lee Macken was asked to play iron man football and plug a leaky offensive line. Unfortunately, this was to no avail as a wayward Luke Vojnar pass was picked off before a 47 yarder from Hunter was caught in the endzone to make it 47-0.

One of few highlights for the Bulls deep in to the 4^th quarter saw Brendan Cunnane return an interception roughly 40 yards, but by this point the game was done and dusted.

It was a painful introduction to Premier Division football for many of the young rookies on the Bulls squad, who will look to learn from their mistakes and swiftly move on to the next game against Yorkshire Rams this Sunday. The Bulls know they’re better than this result, and will look to prove it against another of their old foes whose offense also failed to register a point against Leicester Falcons (albeit in atrocious conditions).

Rob A

UNITED WE STAND!

Picture courtesy of AJW Photography. Check out their website or their Facebook page.

The Bulls start the 2012 season against the team that put an end to their hopes of a Division 1 BritBowl appearance in 2011, the East Kilbride Pirates. The Pirates went on to beat Leicester Falcons 62-23 in the 2011 Final, their third final in as many years.

The semi-final match up saw RB Iain Dick (below . . . → Read More: Pirates at Bulls Preview]]>

The Bulls start the 2012 season against the team that put an end to their hopes of a Division 1 BritBowl appearance in 2011, the East Kilbride Pirates. The Pirates went on to beat Leicester Falcons 62-23 in the 2011 Final, their third final in as many years.

The semi-final match up saw RB Iain Dick (below right) continue his outstanding form throughout 2011 as he ran 151 yards and 2 scores on the ground at an average of 8.4 yards a carry against one of the toughest defences in the league. This was perhaps unsurprising, as Iain rushed for a total of 1156 yards on just 105 carries (17 TDs) during the regular season, adding a further 436 yards and 7 touchdowns during their play-off run.

It was a back and forth match up, and one that was much closer than the final 47-27 final score suggested. As the 2^nd quarter was drawing closer to its end, the Pirates scored twice in quick succession. Assisted by a defensive pass interference call that had their offense take the next down from the Bulls’ 2 yard line, before QB Ryan Hunter ran the ball in untouched, the Pirates followed this with an interception returned 30 yards for the score by DB Scott Findlay. As a result, the Pirates went in to half time 27-13 up.

Whilst the Bulls never gave up hope of pulling the score back, a solitary TD in the 3^rd for the EKP offense left the Bulls with a mountain to climb, and despite two 4^th quarter touchdowns from QB Sam Steward to TE Denzil Byron and WR Jay Grant respectively, the Bulls were unable to turn the game around.

2011 Division 1 Semi-final scoring by quarter:

The 2012 season opener also marks the first time the Bulls have met the Pirates in the regular season since 2008, in which the Bulls suffered a 31-08 home defeat. Following a successful off-season that saw a tremendous number of rookies sign up across all age groups, the Bulls will be looking to make an immediate impact on their return to the Premier Division.

Spearheaded by one of the toughest defences in the league and with a punishing ground game led by RB Leon Williamson (10 rushing TDs in 2011), the Bulls open the 2012 campaign with three successive home games in as many weeks – and a victory over one of the favoured teams in the Premier Division North would set them in good stead for the next few fixtures.

So make sure you get down on Saturday to witness a great match-up between two of the longest running American Football teams in the UK – kick-off is at 4pm!

Erin Go Bragh

Holly Lane

Erdington

B24 9LH

Ticket prices:

Holly Lane Non-Members – Adults £3 – Students and U18 £1

Holly Lane Members – Adults £2 – Children £1

For those that can’t make it, all the action will be tweeted LIVE! during the day. Join the stampede on Facebook or Twitter.

UNITED WE STAND!

Rob A

Photo of Pirates RB Iain Dick courtesy of AJW Photography. Check them out on Facebook or their website, www.ajwphotography.co.uk.