Photo: Scott Thomson
Excitement mounts as the BAFA Adult Contact National Leagues gear up for Week 2 showdowns. As teams fine-tune strategies all eyes are on the upcoming fixtures set to unfold on the gridiron battlefield. With last week's clashes setting the stage, anticipation swirls around the league's contenders and underdogs. In this week's preview, we delve into the matchups awaiting fans, offering a glimpse into the teams' current standings and journey thus far in the quest for gridiron glory.
Premiership
North
Merseyside Nighthawks (0-1) vs Edinburgh Wolves (0-1)
Newcastle Vikings (1-0) vs East Kilbride Pirates (1-0)
Week 2 of the Premiership North Division promises gripping matchups as teams seek redemption and solidify their early-season standings. The Merseyside Nighthawks, coming off a tough loss against the East Kilbride Pirates in Week 1, face the Edinburgh Wolves, who also suffered defeat in their season opener against the Newcastle Vikings. Last season, the Wolves dominated their encounters against the Nighthawks, showcasing their strength with an impressive 41-0 victory in this fixture. Can the Nighthawks turn the tide this season?
Meanwhile, the Newcastle Vikings clash with the East Kilbride Pirates in a highly anticipated showdown. These two teams have a history of intense battles, with the Pirates narrowly edging out the Vikings in their last encounter during the Division 1 Playoff Quarter Finals in 2022. With both teams boasting a 1-0 record after Week 1 victories, expect fireworks as they renew their rivalry on the gridiron.
South
Cambridgeshire Cats (1-0) vs Bristol Aztecs (0-0)
Week 2 of the Premiership South Division brings forth an enticing matchup as the Cambridgeshire Cats, fresh off a thrilling victory against the London Blitz, face the Bristol Aztecs in their season debut. The Cats displayed their resilience with a hard-fought 34-28 win last week, setting the stage for another captivating performance.
On the other side, the Bristol Aztecs enter their first game of the season with high expectations, aiming for a BritBowl berth after falling short in the Premiership Playoff Semi-Finals last year. In 2023, Bristol asserted their dominance with victories in both encounters against the Cats, including a commanding 49-9 win in this very fixture. As Bristol looks to kickstart their campaign with a statement victory, the Cats aim to avenge last season's defeats and maintain their winning momentum.
Division 1
NFC 1 – Scottish
Highland Stags (0-1) vs Inverclyde Goliaths (0-0)
Week 2 of Division 1 NFC 1 – Scottish division presents an intriguing matchup as the Highland Stags aim to bounce back from a surprising defeat against the Clyde Valley Blackhawks in Week 1. The Stags fell short with a 6-17 loss last week, eager to redeem themselves and return to winning ways.
Facing them are the Inverclyde Goliaths, entering their first game of the season after finishing 4th in their division last year with a 3-6 record. In 2023, the Stags asserted their dominance with victories in both encounters against the Goliaths, including a convincing 57-8 win in this fixture. As the Goliaths set their sights on a strong start to the season, the Stags aim to maintain their winning streak against familiar adversaries.
NFC 1 – North
Chester Romans (0-0) vs Humber Warhawks (1-0)
Scunthorpe Alphas (0-0) vs Sheffield Giants (0-1)
Week 2 of Division 1 NFC 1 – North division sets the stage for thrilling matchups as teams vie for early-season success. The Humber Warhawks, coming off a solid victory against the Sheffield Giants last week, face the Chester Romans in what promises to be a captivating contest. The last time these two teams met was in 2017, with Chester securing a dominant 67-0 win. Can the Warhawks continue their winning streak, or will the Romans exact revenge?
Meanwhile, the Scunthorpe Alphas and the Sheffield Giants clash for the first time, adding an extra layer of anticipation to this matchup. Following realignment, Chester and Scunthorpe find themselves with new opposition this season, with only familiar foes from last season being Sheffield and Yorkshire, respectively.
NFC 1 – Midlands
Birmingham Bulls (0-1) vs Shropshire Revolution (0-1)
Week 2 of Division 1 NFC 1 – Midlands division sets the stage for a compelling matchup as the Birmingham Bulls take on the Shropshire Revolution. Both teams are coming off losses in Week 1, with Birmingham falling to Nottingham 20-8 and Shropshire suffering a defeat against Northants with a scoreline of 0-14.
The last time these two teams met was in 2022 when Birmingham emerged victorious with a 23-0 win. As they renew their rivalry, both teams are hungry for redemption and eager to secure their first win of the season. Expect an intense battle.
SFC 1 – East
East Kent Mavericks (1-0) vs London Blitz B (1-0)
Norwich Devils (0-1) vs London Olympians (0-0)
The East Kent Mavericks, coming off a commanding 27-6 victory against the Kent Exiles, face London Blitz B, who secured a dominant 45-0 win over the Norwich Devils last week. The last time these two teams met was in 2017, with East Kent edging out London Blitz B in a close contest with a 26-20 victory.
Meanwhile, the Norwich Devils, looking to rebound from their Week 1 defeat, square off against the London Olympians, who enter their first game of the season after making it to the Division 1 South Playoffs Semi-Finals last year. Norwich and London Olympians split the series last season, with the Devils securing a convincing 40-0 win in this fixture.
SFC 1 – Central
Rushmoor Knights (1-0) vs Wembley Stallions (0-0)
Week 2 of Division 1 SFC 1 – Central division presents an intriguing matchup as the Rushmoor Knights, coming off a strong 33-14 victory against the Portsmouth Dreadnoughts last week, face the Wembley Stallions, who make their season debut. In 2023, the Stallions finished 4th in their division, which did not include Rushmoor, marking this as their first encounter.
With little historical data between these two teams, anticipation runs high as they clash for the first time. Rushmoor aims to continue their winning momentum from Week 1, while the Wembley Stallions seek to kickstart their campaign with a statement victory.
SFC 1 – West
Hereford Stampede (0-0) vs Bristol Apache (1-0)
Somerset Wyverns (0-1) vs South Wales Warriors (1-0)
The Hereford Stampede make their season debut against the Bristol Apache, who secured a convincing 35-0 win over Somerset last week. Hereford, newly promoted from Division 2, seeks to make an impact after reaching the Division 2 South Playoffs Semi-Finals last season.
In another matchup, the Somerset Wyverns, coming off a tough loss against Bristol, face the South Wales Warriors, who secured a 19-8 victory against the Bournemouth Bobcats last week. The last time Somerset and South Wales met was in 2019, with the Warriors emerging victorious with a 26-7 win.
Division 2
NFC 2 – East
Darlington Steam (0-0) vs Lincolnshire Bombers (0-0)
Doncaster Mustangs (0-0) vs Gateshead Senators (0-0)
Week 2 marks the season debut for Division 2 NFC 2 – East division, featuring matchups that promise excitement and intensity. The Darlington Steam, relegated from Division 1 last season, aim to bounce back as they face the Lincolnshire Bombers, who find themselves against entirely new opposition this season. With no historical data between Darlington and Lincolnshire, anticipation runs high as they clash for the first time, each seeking to make an early statement.
In another matchup, the Doncaster Mustangs take on the Gateshead Senators, both teams eager to kickstart their season on a winning note. Gateshead, who finished 2nd in this division last season and made it to the Division 2 North Playoffs Semi-Finals, look to continue their momentum against Doncaster. The Senators secured a 2-0 series win against Doncaster in 2023, including a high-scoring 52-40 victory in this very fixture.
NFC 2 – West
Staffordshire Surge (0-0) vs Lancashire Wolverines (0-0)
Lancashire, relegated from Division 1 last season, aim to assert their dominance in their new division, while Staffordshire, who reached the Division 2 North Playoffs Semi-Finals, seek to build upon their success from last season.
With no historical data between these two teams, anticipation runs high as they clash for the first time. Staffordshire find themselves facing different opponents this season, with Lancashire being one of them.
SFC 2 – East
Essex Tridents (1-0) vs Colchester Gladiators (1-0)
Ouse Valley Eagles (0-0) vs Ipswich Gladiators (0-0)
The Essex Tridents, coming off a narrow 9-7 victory against Sussex Thunder last week, face the Colchester Gladiators, who secured a hard-fought 17-9 win over Swindon. As a newly formed team, Essex presents a new challenge to Colchester, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this matchup.
Meanwhile, the Ouse Valley Eagles take on the Ipswich Gladiators in what promises to be a closely contested battle. Ouse Valley, with new opponents this season due to realignments, aim to turn their fortunes around after finishing at the bottom of their division last season. Ipswich, who finished 3rd last season, looks to maintain their winning momentum from previous encounters. The last time Ouse Valley and Ipswich met was in 2022, with Ipswich narrowly edging out Ouse Valley with a 36-35 victory.
SFC 2 – West
Swindon Storm (0-1) vs Cornwall Monarchs (0-0)
Week 2 of Division 2 SFC 2 – West division sets the stage for an intriguing matchup as the Swindon Storm look to bounce back from a tough loss last week against Colchester, facing off against the Cornwall Monarchs, who make their season debut. The last time these two teams met, Cornwall was known as the Cornish Sharks, with Swindon emerging victorious with a 14-7 win. Cornwall, who finished 3rd last season in their division, face entirely new opponents this season, adding an element of unpredictability to their matchups.