The Bulls entertain the Lancashire Wolverines in their first home game of the season. 

The Wolverines finished 7-3 – second only to West Coast Trojans – in Division 1 North during the 2012 season, before succumbing to the eventual Division 1 Final winners, Sussex Thunder, in the first play-off game. 

The two sides last faced each other in 2003, with the Wolverines defeating the Bulls 6-0 on the road during the regular season, before the Bulls turned the tables emphatically in the post-season with a 50-8 victory. Unfortunately for the Wolverines, the team pulled out of the League during the 2004 season. 

However, the team reformed and were back in the League in 2007. This will be the first game between the two sides since the reformation. 

This season, the Bulls got off to a great start, winning on the road at West Coast Trojans thanks to a Brad Maybury field goal, before suffering defeat at Doncaster Mustangs in a game much closer than the 40-9 score line suggests. 

The ground game, always at the forefront of Bulls football throughout our 30 years, has again been on song so far this season. The return of #32 Marcus Rey saw the team gain plenty of yards on the ground against Doncaster, including a 40 yard run on the first play of the game. However, the team was unable to punch the ball in for a touchdown when inside the redzone, settling for a field goal on three occasions. 

The Wolverines have only played one game to date, a 46-0 defeat at Tamworth Phoenix. With the score 33-0 at half time, the Wolverines pulled together for a much stronger showing in the second half. With nearly a month between games, will the Wolverines be rusty or rested as they travel south? Come along and find out for yourself! 

Show your support and let us know you’re coming by with an RSVP on our Facebook event. It’s free entry on the day, with a licensed bar and food served throughout. 

UNITED WE STAND

Team picture courtesy of Jackie Taylor

Write up provided by Head Coach Greg Cross:

GAME 1 vs Doncaster Mustangs

The Bulls took to the field to face a spirited Doncaster side, looking for revenge following last year’s 34-14 defeat. The defense got the scoring going with a pick 6. Doncaster pressed hard immediately after and forced a safety but the Bulls defense worked hard to stop the Mustangs from creating any offensive momentum. The Bulls offense then found their stride and scored twice more to close the game out.

Final score: BULLS 18 DONCASTER 2

GAME 2 vs Coventry Jets

Rookie WR Joe Tomlinson lining up against Coventry. Courtesy of Andy Tomlinson

Bulls took the opportunity to shut out a young Coventry Jets team. Yet again, the defense opened the scoring with another pick 6. The offense then clicked into gear and made a few mistakes but kept the scoreboard ticking over. The defense closed the game out efficiently thereafter.

Final score: BULLS 61 COVENTRY 0

GAME 3 vs Tamworth Phoenix

Due to injuries sustained in the prior game, Tamworth felt unable to face a dominant, hungry Bulls side and forfeited the game.

Final score: BULLS 1 TAMWORTH 0

It was an excellent showing from every player today and their families in attendance.

Following a hugely successful recruitment campaign in the pre-season, the Bulls offense only had one remaining player from last season, but they grew in confidence down after down. Not to be outdone, the defense that took no prisoners and made sure they gave the offense the opportunities to get back on the field.

The coaches are really pleased with every player today. Everybody participated and every player contributed.

Bulls start their 2013 campaign 3 & 0 but will not rest on their laurels and the hard work continues at practice next Sunday.

WELL DONE BULLS!!! 

UNITED WE STAND

The Birmingham Bulls Youth team can today confirm the tournament schedule for the 2013 campaign.

Under the guidance of Coaches Greg Cross and AJ Taylor, the 2012 Youth team finished with a magnificent 10-2 regular season record, before narrowly missing out on a Bowl appearance in the post-season.

With Coaches Cross and Taylor still at the helm, the team will look to start 2013 with a bang. Full tournament details below;

TOURNAMENT 1 – Saturday 18^th May

at COVENTRY JETS

also featuring Birmingham Bulls, Doncaster Mustangs & Tamworth Phoenix

Coventry Sphinx, Sphinx Drive, Siddeley Avenue, Coventry, CV3 1WA

Kick Off: 1pm

TOURNAMENT 2 – Sunday 14^th July

at BIRMINGHAM BULLS

also featuring Sheffield Predators, Tamworth Phoenix & Yorkshire Rams

Holly Lane Sports Centre, Holly Lane, Erdington, Birmingham, B24 9LH

Kick Off: 1pm

TOURNAMENT 3 – Saturday 3^rd August

at SHEFFIELD PREDATORS

also featuring Birmingham Bulls, Doncaster Mustangs & Leicester Falcons

Gosforth Fields, Stubley Drive, Dronfield, Derbyshire, S18 8QY

Kick Off: 1pm

TOURNAMENT 4 – Sunday 11^th August

at LEICESTER FALCONS

also featuring Birmingham Bulls, Coventry Jets & Yorkshire Rams

Babington Community College, Strasbourg Drive, Leicester, LE4 0SZ

Kick Off: 1pm

UNITED WE STAND!

On Saturday 13th April, the Bulls will return to Sainsbury’s, Mere Green and offer to pack the bags for the stores customers to raise further funds for the season ahead.

So, if you do your weekly shop on a Saturday – or even if you don’t! – come along and chat to some of the Youth and Senior players, Coaches and staff (as well as purchasing some groceries!).

We’ll be in store from 10am until around 4pm.

UNITED WE STAND!

2012 was a tough season for the Bulls’ Senior squad, and the team will look to avenge some of last year’s results in 2013.

GAME 1: 27^th April 2013 - BIRMINGHAM BULLS at WEST COAST TROJANS 

The first game of the 2013 season sees the Bulls make a 600+ miles round trip to Troon, Scotland to face the potent offense of the West Coast Trojans. 

The Trojans won the Division 1 North conference in convincing style, going 9-1 during the regular season, putting up on average over 36 points per game. After defeating Berkshire Renegades in similarly convincing style in the semi-finals of the playoffs, the Trojans eventually succumbed to Sussex Thunder in the Division 1 final. However, a League re-alignment has seen West Coast Trojans promoted to the Premier Division – much like the Bulls were 12 months prior. 

GAME 2: 12^th May 2013 - BIRMINGHAM BULLS at DONCASTER MUSTANGS 

The second game of the season, the second away trip of the season. This time, the Bulls travel to last season’s Premier Division North rivals, the Doncaster Mustangs. The Mustangs did the double over the Bulls in our first season back in the Premier, en route to a 6-3-1 regular season record. 

Sadly, their season ended here as the team were forced to forfeit their tie against London Blitz due to a depleted squad brought on by numerous injuries as the season drew to a close. 

GAME 3: 26^th May 2013 - LANCASHIRE WOLVERINES at BIRMINGHAM BULLS 

The Bulls entertain the Lancashire Wolverines in their first home game of the season. 

The Wolverines finished 7-3 – second only to West Coast Trojans – in Division 1 North during the 2012 season, before succumbing to the eventual Division 1 Final winners, Sussex Thunder, in the first play-off game. 

The two sides last faced each other in 2003, with the Wolverines defeating the Bulls 6-0 on the road during the regular season, before the Bulls turned the tables emphatically in the post-season with a 50-8 victory. Unfortunately for the Wolverines, the team pulled out of the League during the 2004 season. 

However, the team reformed and were back in the League in 2007. This will be the first game between the two sides since the reformation. 

GAME 4: 9^th June 2013 - YORKSHIRE RAMS at BIRMINGHAM BULLS 

The 2012 Yorkshire Rams were better than their 2-5-3 record suggests. In the year of the tie, they opened the season with two ties – against Leicester Falcons and the Bulls respectively – before another 6-6 tie on the road at Doncaster Mustangs in their 4^th game of the season. 

After defeat in the return match-up, the Bulls will once again be looking to makes amends in 2013. 

GAME 5: 16^th June 2013 - COVENTRY JETS at BIRMINGHAM BULLS 

On 16^th June, the Bulls host local rivals, the Coventry Jets. The two Senior sides last faced each other in 2008, which saw the Jets run riot in both fixtures, winning 67-0 and 54-0. 

The Jets opened the season going 4-2, but finished 2012 with a 4-5-1 record in Division 1 North, missing out on the playoffs. However, they were promoted to the Premier Division for 2013 following the League realignment. 

GAME 6: 30^th June 2013 - BIRMINGHAM BULLS at COVENTRY JETS 

Two weeks later, the Bulls make the return trip to Coventry, the only team we face twice in 2013. Following Coventry’s clean sweep in 2008, the Bulls will be looking to repay the favour over these two games. 

GAME 7: 14^th July 2013 - BIRMINGHAM BULLS at SHEFFIELD PREDATORS 

The Bulls travel to Sheffield Predators on 14^th July, a team they have never faced before. 

2012 saw the Predators go undefeated in their march to the Division 2 Britball final. After finishing the regular season with an 8-0-2 record, the Predators brushed passed the Clyde Valley Blackhawks (42-7) and Edinburgh Wolves (47-27) before defeating Peterborough Saxons 39-33 at Don Valley Stadium. 

This was quite the statement from the Sheffield outfit. After forming in 2008, they entered the league in 2010 and lost all 10 games in their first season. In 2011, only their second season, they managed better than a .500 record before going undefeated in 2013, including blowout victories over Staffordshire Surge (84-0), DC Presidents (79-0) and Crewe Railroaders (82-0). 

GAME 8: 20^th July 2013 - BIRMINGHAM BULLS at EAST KILBRIDE PIRATES 

The Pirates gave the Bulls a harsh introduction to life back in the Premier Division in 2012, dishing out a 47-0 beat down to open the campaign. Unfortunately the Pirates were on the receiving end of 4 cancellations/forfeitures during the course of the year, but they ran out Premiership North winners with a 9-1 regular season record. However, their playoff run was short lived following elimination at the hands of the eventual Britball winners, London Blitz. 

GAME 9: 4^th August 2013 - TAMWORTH PHOENIX at BIRMINGHAM BULLS 

The penultimate regular season game sees the Bulls host local rivals, Tamworth Phoenix. ‘Nix did the double over the Bulls last season – with one game awarded through forfeiture/cancellation – and the Bulls will be looking to right the wrongs of 2012. 

After opening the season with a 23-0 victory over East Kilbride Pirates, Tamworth went on to finish with an 8-2 regular season record, second only to the Pirates. Unfortunately for Tamworth, they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by London Olympians, losing a close encounter 19-14. 

GAME 10: 18^th August 2013 - NOTTINGHAM CAESARS at BIRMINGHAM BULLS 

The final game of the season sees the Bulls host the Nottingham Caesars, a team they last faced in 2011. 

In that season, the Bulls came out victorious home (34-10) and away (28-3), and being crowned BAFA Division One Central champions.  Unfortunately, the Bulls fell one game short of the Division 1 final that season, losing to East Kilbride Pirates in the semi-final.

COMPLETE SCHEDULE 

Stay tuned for confirmation of the 2013 schedules for the Youth and Junior teams.

UNITED WE STAND!