BAFA Adult Contact Week 14 Preview

Photo: Estelle Mai

As we enter the BAFA Adult Contact Week 14, anticipation is mounting for a weekend packed with exciting matchups and pivotal contests across the league. For many teams, this will see the end of their season, but several games have massive playoff and relegation implications. Let’s take a look:

All games kick off at 2 pm unless otherwise stated.

Premiership

North

Edinburgh Wolves (3-4) vs East Kilbride Pirates (2-4-1)

Manchester Titans (7-0) vs Newcastle Vikings (6-2) – 3 pm

First, the Edinburgh Wolves will host the East Kilbride Pirates. The Pirates emerged victorious in a 13-3 defensive struggle in their previous encounter. With both teams coming off losses last week – the Wolves fell 27-7 to Tamworth Phoenix and the Pirates were shut out 0-38 by the Manchester Titans – they will be eager to bounce back. This game is crucial for the Wolves, who can create some separation from the Pirates with a home victory. However, neither team is in contention for a playoff spot, so this battle is more about pride and positioning within the division.

The second fixture is a showdown between the top two teams in the division, as the undefeated Manchester Titans face off against the Newcastle Vikings. The Titans can secure the division title with a win, having already defeated the Vikings 28-21 in Week 3. For the Vikings, this game is critical: a victory by at least 8 points keeps their hopes of a division title alive. Additionally, they need to win to avoid setting up a potentially decisive Week 16 clash against Tamworth Phoenix. A loss for the Vikings would secure the Division title for the Titans and heighten the stakes for their upcoming game against Tamworth.

South

Solent Thrashers (0-8) vs Bristol Aztecs (5-2)

Hertfordshire Cheetahs (3-5) vs London Blitz (2-5) – 2:30 pm

Solent's season has been challenging, and their 42-7 defeat to the Cambridgeshire Cats last week confirmed their position at the bottom of the table, making them candidates for relegation to Division 1 next season. The Thrashers face a tough opponent in the second-placed Aztecs, who handed them a 68-6 loss in Week 6. Bristol, coming off a dominant 43-3 victory over the Hertfordshire Cheetahs last Saturday, still needs to secure two more wins to guarantee a playoff spot.

Hertfordshire has exceeded expectations in their inaugural Premiership season and will be eager to finish above the Blitz in the standings. A win this week would solidify that achievement. The last encounter between these teams in Week 7 was a tightly contested battle, with the Cheetahs emerging victorious 10-6 in London. The Blitz, however, are looking to rebound from a heavy 55-0 defeat to their local rivals, the London Warriors. This game is crucial for both teams as they aim to end their seasons on a high note.

Division 1

NFC 1 – Scottish

Highland Stags (1-6) vs Glasgow Tigers (5-2)

The Tigers are riding high after an impressive 49-21 victory over the division leaders, Inverclyde Goliaths. This win not only boosted their confidence but also gave them a head-to-head advantage, overcoming an 18-point deficit from their previous encounter. However, to clinch the division title, Glasgow must defeat the Highland Stags this week. Moreover, the Tigers need to concede as few points as possible to enhance their playoff seeding, potentially securing the 2nd or 3rd seed if other results fall in their favour. The last time these two teams met, in Week 8, Glasgow dominated with a 52-7 victory.

The Highland Stags have experienced a surprising drop in form this season after a stellar 2023 campaign. Their last outing in Week 12 resulted in a 34-0 loss to the Inverclyde Goliaths in Inverness. While the Stags are not immediate candidates for relegation, given the teams likely to be promoted to Division 1, they are certainly at risk and will be looking to end their season on a positive note.

NFC 1 – North

Sheffield Giants (3-4) vs Scunthorpe Alphas (5-2) – 2:30 pm

The Alphas, currently holding the 4th seed, are guaranteed a playoff spot but aim to improve their seeding with a victory. A loss would likely keep them in the 4th or 5th seed, while a win, especially with minimal points conceded, could boost them to the 2nd or 3rd seed. Additionally, if the Alphas secure a win, they will closely monitor next week's game involving Yorkshire to determine if they can claim the division title.

For the Sheffield Giants, the objective is to solidify their third-place finish. To achieve this, they need to avoid a loss and ensure they don't concede 55 points or more. In their previous encounter in Week 2, the Alphas narrowly edged out the Giants with a 31-27 victory, indicating this matchup could be another closely contested affair.

NFC 1 – Midlands

Birmingham Bulls (2-5) vs Nottingham Caesars (7-0)

Northants Knights (3-4) vs Leicester Panthers (1-6)

Although the top two positions in the division are settled, the battle for 3rd, 4th, and 5th place remains fiercely contested. The Birmingham Bulls, who were last seen in Week 11 suffering a 35-0 defeat to Leicester, face a daunting challenge against the Nottingham Caesars. The Bulls need a win to avoid finishing at the bottom of the division, particularly if Leicester wins their game. The Caesars, on the other hand, can secure the number 1 seed in the NFC 1 playoffs with a victory or even a loss by less than 79 points. When these teams met in Week 1, the Caesars emerged victorious with a 20-8 win.

The Northants Knights will play the Leicester Panthers in a matchup that also holds significant implications for the final standings. The Knights, who lost 31-3 to the Caesars in Week 10, aim to solidify their position in the middle of the pack. The Panthers, fresh off their first win of the season against Birmingham, will be looking to end their season on a high note. In their previous encounter in Week 9, the Knights outlasted the Panthers in a high-scoring game, winning 42-33.

SFC 1 – East

London Olympians (5-2) vs London Blitz B (2-5)

The last meeting between these teams saw the Olympians triumph 28-14 away from home. Blitz B's most recent game was an 18-8 loss to the Kent Exiles in Week 12. For Blitz B, this game is about ending their season on a positive note since their position in the standings is already fixed.

For the Olympians, the stakes are higher. They can only finish as either the 5th or 6th seed in the playoffs. A win here is crucial, but they also need to manage their points conceded to avoid a potentially challenging Wildcard round visit to Bristol, not that South Wales Warriors won’t be a challenge! They currently hold a 21-point advantage over the Wembley Stallions in the seedings.

SFC 1 – Central

Portsmouth Dreadnoughts (3-4) vs London Hornets (2-5)

Wembley Stallions (5-2) vs Oxford Saints (0-7)

The Portsmouth Dreadnoughts will be aiming to maintain their position above the London Hornets. When these teams last met in Week 5, Portsmouth dominated with a 40-2 victory. For London, this game is crucial as they need to overturn a 38-point deficit to finish above Portsmouth. Despite the uncertainty around potential relegations due to the fluid nature of realignments, Oxford is confirmed to finish bottom of the division, and the London Hornets may face demotion to Division 2 following a yellow card for forfeiting a game.

The Wembley Stallions are focused on improving their playoff seeding. Currently the 6th seed, they are slated to face the Bristol Apache in the Wildcard round. Wembley needs a strong defensive performance against the Oxford Saints and hopes that the London Olympians concede more than 21 points in their game to potentially move up to the 5th seed. A dominant showing this week could enhance their playoff prospects and positioning.

SFC 1 – West

Somerset Wyverns (3-4) vs Bournemouth Bobcats (3-4)

This game effectively serves as a third-place playoff, with the winner securing the 3rd spot in the division standings. The last meeting between these two teams was in Week 12, where the Bobcats triumphed 35-8 at home. That game marked the last appearance for Somerset, who have proven difficult to beat at home this season, with their only home loss coming against the division champions, Bristol Apache.

Bournemouth, on the other hand, enters this matchup following a 25-6 loss to Bristol Apache last week. Despite the setback, the Bobcats will be eager to replicate their previous success against Somerset and finish the season on a high note.

Division 2

NFC 2 – East

Gateshead Senators (6-1) vs Darlington Steam (7-0)

Wakefield District Raiders (1-5-1) vs Lincolnshire Bombers (2-5)

The highlight of the week is the clash between the Gateshead Senators and the unbeaten Darlington Steam. This game will determine the division champion. For the Steam, the equation is simple: win and they are crowned division champs, securing the number 1 seed in the playoffs, which is crucial for home-field advantage in the semi-finals. The Senators, however, face a more daunting task; they need not only to win but to do so by at least 27 points, following their 46-20 loss to the Steam in Week 6. A victory for Darlington would also solidify their top seed, while a Gateshead win could open the door for the West division teams to secure higher playoff seedings.

In the other matchup, the Wakefield District Raiders face the Lincolnshire Bombers in a battle for the 3rd spot in the division. The Bombers are currently in 3rd place and are coming off a narrow 39-36 victory over the Doncaster Mustangs last week. The Raiders, who defeated the Bombers 19-0 in Week 8, last played in Week 12, where they narrowly lost 20-18 to the Gateshead Senators. Both teams are looking to finish their season strong and claim a higher position in the standings.

NFC 2 – West

Leigh Miners (0-6-1) vs Lancashire Wolverines (1-3-1)

Staffordshire Surge (5-1) vs Sandwell Steelers (5-1)

The Leigh Miners face the Lancashire Wolverines in their third meeting of the season. The first encounter ended in a 14-14 tie in Week 5, and the Wolverines triumphed 32-14 in Week 11. Leigh Miners has the chance to move off the bottom of the division if they win by 19 points, but their fate also depends on the outcome of Lancashire's last game of the season against the Surge.

The spotlight, however, is on the showdown between the Staffordshire Surge and the Sandwell Steelers. This game will determine the top position in the division. The teams have split their previous encounters, with the Surge winning 27-23 in Week 4 and the Steelers winning 17-7 in Week 12, both games played at Sandwell. Now, the Surge will host the Steelers, looking to take the head-to-head advantage with a victory, which would put them in the driver's seat to win the division. For the Steelers, a win would secure them the Division title and depending on the outcome of the Senators/Steam game it could see them move up to the 1st or 2nd seed.

SFC 2 – East

Colchester Gladiators (6-1) vs Ouse Valley Eagles (4-3)

Ipswich Cardinals (3-4) vs Essex Tridents (5-2)

The Colchester Gladiators are looking to rebound after a surprising loss last week where they conceded 38 points, more than they had all season up to that point. They face the Ouse Valley Eagles, who defeated them 38-35 just last week. The Gladiators will aim to correct their defensive issues and regain momentum heading into the playoffs.

Meanwhile, the Ipswich Cardinals take on the Essex Tridents in a game that will decide the final standings. Ipswich has a chance to finish 3rd if they win and Ouse Valley loses, as they hold the head-to-head advantage against the Eagles. However, Ipswich faces a tough challenge against the Essex Tridents, who shut them out 27-0 in their last meeting in Week 6. Essex has secured the second seed in the playoffs but will be keen to build momentum with a strong performance after a close 23-15 loss to the Gladiators in Week 12.

SFC 2 – West

Cornwall Monarchs (1-6) vs Sussex Thunder (4-3)

Sussex secured the division title last week with a commanding 35-3 victory over the Swindon Storm. The Thunder are now focused on carrying their momentum into the playoffs, aiming to extend their two-game win streak and prepare for a quarter-final clash against Essex.

For Cornwall, a win could see them rise off the bottom of the table, given their head-to-head advantage over Swindon. This would be a remarkable turnaround for the Monarchs as they seek to end the season on a high note. The last meeting between these teams in Week 7 saw Sussex triumph 24-12.