BAFA Adult Contact 2024 Week 3 Preview

Photo: Simon Lampitt Photography

As the British American Football Adult Contact leagues enter Week 3 of the season, anticipation mounts for another weekend of thrilling gridiron action. From undefeated contenders seeking to maintain their winning streaks to challengers aiming to bounce back from previous losses, the stage is set for an exhilarating display of competition on the field. Join us as we preview some of the most anticipated games of the week and delve into the key storylines shaping the landscape of BAFA Adult Contact 2024 Week 3.

Premiership

North

Newcastle Vikings (2-0) vs Manchester Titans (1-0)

Week 3 of the Premiership North Division promises an epic showdown as the undefeated Newcastle Vikings clash with the Manchester Titans. Newcastle enters the game with an impressive 2-0 record after defeating the East Kilbride Pirates 23-6 last week, while the Titans suffered their first loss since 2022 in a Central European Football League match against Stockholm Mean Machines. With both teams playing their third game in a row, it’ll be interesting to know what effect this will have on the game.

The Vikings currently lead the division, while Manchester Titans sit close behind in second place. The last time these two teams met was in 2017, in Division 1, where Manchester emerged victorious with a 50-14 win. Who will take the early initiative in the Premiership North?

South

Solent Thrashers (0-1) vs London Blitz (0-1)

In Week 3 of the Premiership South Division, the Solent Thrashers and the London Blitz gear up for a crucial matchup as they seek to climb from the bottom of the division standings. Both teams last played in Week 1, with Solent falling to the Hertfordshire Cheetahs 10-20 and the Blitz suffering a defeat against the Cambridgeshire Cats 28-34.

After two weeks of play, both teams will be eager to secure their first win of the season. In 2023, London Blitz dominated the series between the two teams, winning both matchups by an average of 36 points. The fixture last season ended in a commanding 37-0 victory for London.

Division 1

NFC 1 – Scottish

Inverclyde Goliaths (1-0) vs Glasgow Tigers (0-0)

Inverclyde comes into the game with momentum after a convincing 48-27 victory over the Highland Stags last week, while this fixture is the Glasgow Tigers’ season opener.

Last season, Glasgow dominated the series between the two teams, winning both matchups by an average of 31 points. The fixture last season ended with a commanding 31-8 victory for Glasgow.

NFC 1 – North

Humber Warhawks (1-1) vs Yorkshire Rams (0-0)

Sheffield Giants (0-2) vs Chester Romans (1-0)

The Humber Warhawks, coming off a tough loss to Chester Romans last week, now face the Yorkshire Rams, who make their season debut. The previous encounter between these two teams was in the 2021 season, where Yorkshire emerged victorious with a 36-6 win.

In another matchup, the Sheffield Giants, currently winless after two games, take on the Chester Romans, who secured a solid victory over Humber last week. Last season, the series between these two teams was tied 1-1, with Sheffield claiming victory in this fixture with a convincing 38-12 win.

NFC 1 – Midlands

Shropshire Revolution (1-1) vs Leicester Panthers (0-0)

Week 3 of Division 1 NFC 1 – Midlands division sets the stage for an intriguing matchup as the Shropshire Revolution, coming off a hard-fought victory against the Birmingham Bulls last week, face the Leicester Panthers, who make their season debut.

Shropshire enters the game with momentum after their win over Birmingham and aims to continue their winning streak but are playing their third game in a row. However, Leicester, recently relegated from the Premiership North division, poses a fresh challenge for the Revolution. The last time these two teams met was in 2022 when Leicester emerged victorious with a convincing 49-0 win.

SFC 1 – East

East Kent Mavericks (2-0) vs London Olympians (1-0)

Week 3 of Division 1 SFC 1 – East division promises an epic showdown as the undefeated East Kent Mavericks take on the London Olympians. East Kent enters the game with an impressive 2-0 record, having conceded just 3 points per game, while London comes off a dominant 63-0 victory over the Norwich Devils, showcasing their strong offence and defence.

The last time these two teams met was in 2014, in the Premiership South, where the London Olympians emerged victorious with a 20-8 win. With the Mavericks playing their third game in a row it’ll be interesting to know what effect that has on this game.

SFC 1 – Central

London Hornets (0-0) vs Wembley Stallions (0-1)

Oxford Saints (0-0) vs Portsmouth Dreadnoughts (0-1)

The London Hornets see their first game of the season is against the Wembley Stallions, who aim to bounce back from a narrow 28-35 loss to the Rushmoor Knights last week. Despite finishing below Wembley last season, London seeks to start their campaign on a high note and establish themselves as contenders in the division.

In another showdown, the Oxford Saints face the Portsmouth Dreadnoughts in what promises to be an intense battle. Portsmouth looks to recover from their 14-33 defeat against Rushmoor Knights in Week 1, while Oxford, after finishing bottom of their division last season, aims for a fresh start. Following realignment, Oxford finds themselves with new opponents this season, including Portsmouth. The last time these two teams met was in 2022 when Oxford secured a convincing 43-12 victory.

SFC 1 – West

Bournemouth Bobcats (0-1) vs Bristol Apache (2-0)

Hereford Stampede (0-1) vs Somerset Wyverns (1-1)

The Bournemouth Bobcats, coming off an 8-19 loss to the South Wales Warriors in Week 1, face a tough challenge against the undefeated Bristol Apache. Bristol, who secured a commanding 33-7 victory over Hereford last week, aims to maintain their winning streak, averaging an impressive 30-point winning margin. The series between these two teams was tied 1-1 last season, with Bournemouth claiming victory in this fixture with a 23-13 win.

In another matchup, the Hereford Stampede take on the Somerset Wyverns. Hereford looks to bounce back from their defeat to Bristol last week, while Somerset enters the game with momentum after a dominant 26-0 victory over the South Wales Warriors. With the two sides never having met before, expect an intriguing battle as both teams leave it all on the field in pursuit of victory.

Division 2

NFC 2 – East

Gateshead Senators (1-0) vs Wakefield District Raiders (0-0)

Coming off a commanding 57-6 victory over the Doncaster Mustangs last week, the Gateshead Senators take on the Wakefield District Raiders, who make their first appearance this season.

Last season, these two teams met three times, with the series finishing 2-0-1 in favour of Gateshead. Their last encounter was in the Division 2 North Play-Offs Wild Card round, where Gateshead emerged victorious with a narrow 28-23 win. The Raiders, who finished 3rd in their division last season and made the playoffs, aim to start their campaign on a positive note and seek redemption against Gateshead.

NFC 2 – West 

Lancashire Wolverines (0-0) vs Sandwell Steelers (1-0)

Week 3 of Division 2 NFC 2 – West division brings forth an exciting matchup as the Lancashire Wolverines, playing their first game of the season after a postponed game last week, take on the Sandwell Steelers, who secured a thrilling 25-23 victory over the Leigh Miners in Week 1. Amazingly this was Sandwell’s first victory since the 2021 season.

The last time these two teams met was in Division 1 back in 2019, where Sandwell emerged victorious with a close 29-24 win. Lancashire, relegated from Division 1 last season, looks to make a strong start to their Division 2 campaign and reclaim their position at the top. On the other hand, Sandwell aims to build on their Week 1 success and continue their winning momentum.

SFC 2 – East

Colchester Gladiators (2-0) vs Ipswich Cardinals (0-1)

Colchester enters the game with confidence after securing a hard-fought 13-12 victory over the Essex Tridents last week, marking their third consecutive game in the season. Ipswich, on the other hand, suffered a close 6-8 defeat against the Ouse Valley Eagles and looks to turn the tide in their favour.

Last season, Colchester dominated the series against Ipswich with a 2-0 record, averaging a 12-point winning margin. In this fixture last season, Colchester emerged victorious with a 14-6 win.

SFC 2 – West

Berkshire Renegades (0-0) vs Cornwall Monarchs (0-1)

In Week 3 of Division 2 SFC 2 – West, the Berkshire Renegades make their season debut as they face off against the Cornwall Monarchs, who look to bounce back from a heart-breaking last-minute defeat in their previous game.

Cornwall suffered a narrow 0-3 loss against the Swindon Storm last week, courtesy of a last-minute field goal. Meanwhile, Berkshire enters the season with high hopes, aiming to kick off their campaign with a strong performance against Cornwall.

This matchup marks the first-ever meeting between the two teams, providing an intriguing clash between unfamiliar opponents. Berkshire, finishing 3rd in their division last season with a 3-5 record, seeks to start their season on a positive note and make a statement in Division 2 SFC 2 – West.