The Chichester Sharks will be heading to Sheffield this weekend to compete in the 2012 Flag Finals.

When I last posted news (yes I know, it has been a long time) the Sharks were 5-3 and in contention for one of the two playoff spots (Two losses to Basingstoke more or less ruled us out of grabbing the group top spot and automatic qualification).

As a lot of time has passed since then (yes, I know), here is a quick summary of how the rest of the season unfolded:

Fixtures in Basingstoke (June 24th)…

Chichester Sharks 66 – 18 Aylesbury Spartans

Summary: new team, nice bunch, good banter, pink shirts, TD passes aplenty

Chichester Sharks 54 – 13 Coventry Jets

Summary: old rivalry, slow start, 2nd half dominance, TD passes aplenty

Chichester Sharks 48 – 0 Leicester Eagles

Summary: another old rivalry, outstanding defensive performance, TD passes aplenty

Overall, it was an outstanding team performance, with the results going the way you’d expect based on form. Both sides of the ball did very well, resulting in hand ache for Neil recording all the personal player stats. Sharks moved to 8-3 on the season.

Fixtures in Chichester (July 22nd)…

Chichester Sharks 1 – 0 London Blitz

Summary: Blitz forfeited the game, leaving the Sharks in a position of needing to win just 1 of their remaining two games.

Chichester Sharks 46 – 0 Essex Showboats

Summary: Scoring early, tempers flairing, TDs aplenty, smiles that said ‘We’re in the Playoffs’

Chichester Sharks 32 – 40 London Rebels

Summary: boo, rebels trying to rain on our parade, close 1st half, comeback late, not quite enough

So, Sharks finish the season at 10-4 and now we’re off to Sheffield! GO SHARKS!!

In yet another wet day in the Flag ‘Summer‘ league, the Chichester Sharks secured an important victory and came very close to nabbing another.

Chichester started the day at 4-2 and realistically in the race for one of the two wildcard spots within the Southern Conference. Having lost to Basingstoke twice, it would require a number of unexpected losses by the Horde for the Sharks to claim the top spot.

That meant that games against the other wildcard contending teams – currently the Steel City Knights and the Essex Showboats – would be crucial. The first of those – against the Knights – came on a very wet day in Coventry on Saturday.

It was an unusual day, in that for the first time in many, many years, Neil Henderson was not at QB for the Sharks. Unavailable on the day, he was replaced in the line up by Justin Handley.

First up was a game against Woodham Warriors. The conditions were poor, with a consistent heavy rain impacting the play of both teams. The Offenses struggled the most, with both teams struggling to complete drives. To compound it, the Sharks first score on the board was wiped out by penalty.

The Warriors short, efficient passing game eventually broke the deadlock, putting up a score before the half. The Sharks O hit a TD in reply (Handley to Mike Thompson), but sloppy receiving play ended any chance of  building a lead.

The Sharks came out strong after the break, snatching the lead from the Warriors on a 2nd TD pass to Thompson. The D was playing extremely well – Toby Chopra had 3 sacks in the game and Tomele Geciauskas 2 – but eventually Woodham found the endzone for a 13-12 lead.

With little time left in the game, the Sharks were unable to string together a final winning drive. The Warriors closed out the game with a late score to seal the 20-12 victory.

Despite the loss it was a very strong performance by the Sharks, coming close to upsetting the favourites with a make-shift offense.

Next up was the important game against the Steel City Knights. Chichester had never played against the Knights nor seen them in action. Their results to date in the league spoke for themselves, however, and it was clear that being ‘new’ did not mean they were uncompetitive.

This was to be no score-fest, as the rain made play very difficult. The teams exchanged several unsuccessful drives, before the stalemate was broken on an unusual play. On a hook to the left of the field, the slippery ball bounced off the hands of Chichester’s Pete Busson and into the arms of Center Gary Robinson who took it in for the score.

The Knights were struggling to move the ball against the rain and Sharks defense, but managed to break the goal line on a strong drive before the half, setting the score at 6-6 at the half.

As the second half progressed, the players could have been forgiven to be happy with a draw (and to find somewhere warm and dry). Little was working offensively. With time ticking away, Handley went back to a play designed to attack a weakness identified in the first half (which despite repeated attempts couldn’t be capitalised on). Sending the Center on a slant and go up the left, Handley lofted a perfectly timed pass over the head of the defender and into the hands (okay, technically it was the ear) of Robinson. Chichester couldn’t convert the extra point and so led 12-6 inside the 2 minute warning and the ball now in the Knights’ hands.

All day the Knights had been targeting their athletic #1 receiver and it was clear where the ball was going on this final drive. Each play sent him medium or long and each time Mike Thompson, playing Man, stuck to him like glue and batted the ball away. 4 downs later, the Sharks had their victory and a crucial tiebreaker in the playoff race.

Well done to all players who competed on Saturday – it was a great team effort. A special nod, however, to Jut for stepping up and playing QB and also to Mike, who played both ways and made so many plays to keep us in games and secure the victory.

Next up on Sunday: Coventry Jets, Leicester Eagles and Aylesbury Spartans

See all the Sharks results this year

Check out all the player stats

So after the Sharks managed to get dry after the opening games in Cardiff, the next set of fixtures for the 2012 BAFA Flag Season were quickly upon us, the destination Plymouth.

The Sharks set off at an ungodly hour with 9 players, 4 of which were rookies. The fixtures ahead were going to be tough.

The opening game was to be the Chichester Sharks taking on the new Plymouth Pirates team. Chichester won the toss and started the day on offense, with Neil Henderson leading the Sharks to a very quick start against the rookie Plymouth defense with multiple touchdown throws to Mike Thompson.

The Sharks defense were to close to locking down the fledgling offense of Plymouth and Justin Handley made the Pirates QB’s life hell as he intercepted 4 passes, 2 of which he ran back for TDs. The Pirates did finally manage to get into the endzone after putting together some very good drives and improved solidly throughout the day.

Final Score : Chichester 63 – 6 Plymouth

The Sharks next game was against the undefeated Basingstoke Zombie Horde. This was set to be a tough matchup, as Horde and the Sharks are very evenly matched on both sides of the ball.

The game started off at a reasonably slow pace with possession going back and forth in the first few drives, until the Horde managed to find an opening and scored a couple of quick touchdowns back to back.

The Sharks defense was being pushing back again toward their own endzone and were looking likely to go 3 scores down, but luckily the Horde QB made an error and underthrew a pass which was intercepted by rookie Ed Acton. This looked likely to go all the way back for a TD, but there was a heavy collision between Acton and the Horde QB. The Sharks finished the half with no points on the board and were upset with the way they had played.

The Sharks started slow again in the 2^nd half and went two quick scores down, this fired the team up and they put two quick scores up themselves and had the Horde defense on the back foot. Unfortunately the clock was against the Sharks and time ran down – a painful loss, but a strong finish to establish the right mindset for the next difficult game.

Final Score : Chichester 14 – 34 Basingstoke

In the last game of the day for the Sharks they would go up against the very good South Wales Warriors.

The game started evenly and there were quick scores for each team, but Sharks player Tomas ‘Beast’ Geciauskas made his presence felt on the O and the D and the Sharks soon took a good lead.

In the 2^nd half Sharks defense came out swinging with Toby ‘Primetime’ Chopra getting a pick which helped put the game away. The final whistle went and a long day of games had finally come to an end.

Final Score : Chichester 48 – 18 South Wales

There was only one more obstacle to overcome, that was finding Maccy D’s on the way home – and in the spirit of the day, after a few wrong turns, we eventually were victorious.

- Ed Acton

Notes:

• Sharks now move to 4-2 on the season
• Mike Thompson scored 10 touchdowns on the day – 5 times each in 2 games – new Sharks records.
• Justin Handley had 4 interceptions, 2 for scores

Photo by Kymie Walker. More on our facebook page

Fish don’t get this wet.

The start of the 2012 BAFA Flag Football season was held on a day that few would associate with a SUMMER football league. Despite heavy rain and a waterlogged pitch, the Chichester Sharks, Basingstoke Zombie Horde and South Wales Warriors did battle in Cardiff last Sunday.

The Sharks travelled with 7 players, 3 of which were rookies, to match up with two teams who are perennially playoff contenders.

The Sharks kicked off the day with a game against Basingstoke, followed by a match up with South Wales. The Horde and Warriors rounded out the fixture list.

From the get go it quickly became apparent that there would be no ariel passing masterclasses this day. The strong wind and wet ball reduced the offensive attack of all teams down to short passes and yes, believe it or not in a flag league, the running game. Tackling played a crucial role, as the rain reduced any grip on the wet vinyl flags.

The Sharks vs Horde game was exceptionally close, with Chichester holding the lead inside the final two minutes. Basingstoke had just too much time and managed to punch the ball into the endzone to snatch away the victory. It was a painful loss for the Sharks as too many opportunities were missed, but a valuable learning experience for the rookies playing their first competitive game.

Final Score: Chichester 25 – 26 Basingstoke

Despite the loss, the Sharks thankfully came out strong against the Warriors. Chichester’s games against South Wales are always highly competitive and the scoreline close. This game was no different. The Sharks took the early lead, ahead by 2 scores at the half, but lost focus early in the 2nd half letting the Warriors get back into the game on the back of a strong running game.

The teams battled back and forth but it wasn’t until Pete Steel picked up a 1st down on a 4th down pass from Neil Henderson inside the final minute that the victory was assured (it’s debatable what was more dramatic – getting the catch in that scenario or Pete’s 20 foot slide through the mud with a trailing spray of water?).

Final Score: Chichester 32 – 30 South Wales

In the last game of the series Basingstoke beat South Wales 18 – 0.

It’s hard to get a gauge on what this means for the season, as the weather completely changed each team’s usual gameplan. The results could be completely different when we meet up again next month. But what we could see is that all 3 teams are in the hunt again this year.

Game Stats

Passing

Neil Henderson: 8 x TD, 3 x 1pt XP,  2 x INT

Receiving

Gary Robinson: 3 x TD
Phil Morris: 2 x TD, 1 x 1pt XP
Pete Steel: 1 x TD, 1 x 1pt XP
Tomas Geciauskas: 1 x TD rec, 1 x 1pt XP rec
Pete Busson: 1 x TD

Defense

Neil Henderson: 2 x INT
Phil Morris: 1 x INT (for a TD)
Toby Chopra: 2 x sack

Flag football returned to Chichester last weekend, with the Sharks hosting the Basingstoke Zombie Horde and Peter Symonds Sabres for friendlies.

The Sharks, preparing for the 2012 season starting next month, got a chance to check out the new rookies who joined the club over the off-season. And if first impressions count, then the Sharks have strengthened their squad for the upcoming campaign.

All four rookies – Ed Acton, Pete Busson, Tomele Geciauskas and Phil Morris – got on the score board in their first game, a 61-33 victory over the Sabres. In fact, Geciauskas made his mark immediately, picking off two errant Sabre passes, returning one for the score.

All four had extensive playing time on both sides of the ball, with a number of veterans yet to return from other off-season responsibilities.

Chichester’s 2nd game was against BAFA league rival, Basingstoke, an established, well drilled team with a lot of offensive firepower. It was a closely matched game throughout, with the new-look defensive playing admirably in just its second outing. The game went down to the wire, with a late Horde score giving the Sharks less than a minute to get into the endzone. Unfortunately, the Sharks fell 4 yards short on a 4th down pass and run and the game ended 45-37 to the Horde.

Well done to all Sharks that played Sunday – it was a lot of fun and extremely useful preparation for the season

Check the photos taken on the day (thanks Kymie!)

Next up March Madness in London…

Now’s your chance.

The Chichester Sharks are in pre-season training and on the look out for new players for the 2012 season.

If you follow the NFL on TV and wonder what its like to play American Football then flag amercian football with the Chichester Sharks could be right for you.

We play a 5-a-side version of the game on TV. No hitting, no blocking, but plenty of catching, running, tackling, scoring and fun.

We’re looking for new players, regardless of experience, just an enthusiasm to play.

The first couple of training sessions are free, and its pretty cheap the rest of the way too. Training happens on Sunday mornings from 10 am to 1pm.

Just get in touch and we’ll let you know when the next training session is on. Alternatively, follow the updates on our Facebook and just turn up on the day.

Okay, first up, yes this is a really late post – about 4 months late to be more precise. Let’s just say, it’s been busy, things got in the way.

Anyway, as we’re now getting into the preseason, we best wrap up last year.

Qualifying for the playoffs

It was a storyline for the ages.

Sat at a disappointing 2-4-1, following 3 straight losses whilst conceding 40+ points a game, the Sharks needed to pretty much win out the rest of the way to qualify for the playoffs.

5 straight wins? With 4 of the opponents also in playoff contention? Hmmm

The first step was taken with victories over Coventry Jets and Woodham Warriors in Coventry, in late July. Having been trounced by the Jets the month before, it was satisfying to see the intensity of the team in a reverse of the thumping, winning 46-12.

Buoyed by their success, the Sharks faced off against the Woodham Warriors in their 2nd game and finally pulled off a victory. After being on the wrong side of several close scorelines over the past few seasons, it was a jubilent Sharks team that finally got to celebrate a victory, following a 25-20 win.

So two down, three to go – and all at home as Chichester hosted Basingstoke, Leicester and South Wales.

The Sharks were clearly up for this one, despite facing a triple-header in the hot August sun. First up were the Basingstoke Zombie Horde, still in playoff contention. In the first encounter this season, the Horde put up 31 points on the Defense, but this time things were very different. With a full strength defense, with height in the secondary, the Sharks controlled the game from the get-go, allowing only 1 score to the potent Horde offense. Conversely, the Sharks O was clicking and the Sharks notched up their 3rd consecutive victory, comfortably winning 35-7. The loss knocked Basingstoke out of playoff contention.

The next game was always going to be difficult. The Sharks played one of their worse games of the season in Cardiff back in April, losing 48-25 to South Wales, and traditionally games against the Warriors have been close and exhilarating.

This game was just as intense, and got a little heated at times. It was the Sharks who gained an early momentum though, enabling them to build a strong lead, which the Warriors couldn’t match. The Sharks ran out comfortable winners, 33-7. The loss knocked the Warriors out of playoff contention.

Last up were the Leicester Eagles, who’d had a difficult season with a small and inexperienced squad, yet showed good spirit throughout. Still needing one last win to qualify, Chichester went for it. The pressure from the Sharks D was immense and the O sliced apart the Eagles D. The result was in no doubt by half time and the Sharks ran out 47-13 victors, booking a place in the playoffs.

They were joined their by the Woodham Warriors and London Rebels.

The Playoffs

This year’s playoff format was slightly different in that the Sharks got to play a Northern Conference qualifier in the first round. The Carluke Cobras have consistently been a strong team in Scotland over the past few seasons, so there was no chance of complacency.

It was a close 1st half as the two teams got the measure of each other. But it was the Sharks who managed to pull away in the 2nd half, running out 46-25 winners.

By way of ‘reward’, Chichester were matched up against the Kirkcaldy Bulls in the Semi-Final. The Bulls have not lost a game in about a squajillion years but our 6 straight wins and tight defense gave us optimism.

And we were in it for a while. We put up a good fight, but we weren’t quite on our A game that was need to go toe to toe with the Bulls. A few incomplete passes here, a few missed tackles there and we were soon in a hole we couldn’t escape from. The Bulls won the game 39-6 and booked their spot in the Final (which they won, beating Woodham Warriors).

In the 3rd/4th place playoff, we faced our old friends the London Rebels, last year’s Southern Finalist. In a lighthearted game, the Sharks seemed more up for finishing on a high note, as we cruised to a 33-14 victory.

3rd place in the UK is not a bad result, eh?

Stats, Records and Stuff

All in all, it was good season. Yet another top 3 finish in the Southern Conference, a good (but not quite good enough) showing in the Playoffs, and a lot of fun playing football along the way.

Flag football is clearly a team game, you win as a team and you lose as team. So this records stuff is just for fun, just pulling out some individual highlights. Every player knows that whatever their own personal stats, its all aided by the throws, routes, tackles, tips and pressures of his teammates around him.

Some of the following are records, some are just observations…

Luke Nash set a Sharks’ scoring record (Rushing/Receiving) with 119 points, just topping Simon Merton‘s previous record of 116 set in 2010. Luke scored 19 receving touchdowns and 5 extra points. The 19 TDs is also a record.

James Lambert‘s 88 points (13 TD, 8 1XP, 1 2XP) was the fourth highest scoring points total to date.

A new rushing TD record was set by Gary Robinson with 3 TDs.

Neil Henderson tied his previous record of 60 touchdown passes (set 2008), but fell short of his highest points total by just 4 points.

Justin Handley set a new interceptions record with 10 on the season, surpassing the 6 picks by Michael Thompson in 2009. 2 interceptions went back for scores, also a Sharks record.

Rob Love posted 11 sacks in just a three game span (the final 3 games in Chichester) this season, showing form that probably would’ve pushed the current record of 17. He also bagged 4 in the postseason.

The Sharks Defense‘s 24 interceptions in 2011 topped the previous best of 21 set in 2009.

The 64 passes TDs by Sharks QBs (Henderson, Handley) is a new team record, beating the 60 set in 2008).

Conversely the 16 interceptions thrown by Sharks QBs (Henderson, Handley) in 2011 is a new team record, beating 15 in 2010.

Justin Handley scored in all four categories – Passing, Rushing, Receiving and Defense – for a 2nd consecutive season.

Note: records are based on data collected since joining BAFL/BAFA. Sadly no information is available before then, though Pete Steel is acknowledged as the likely recipient of the all time TD scoring leader title, with Neil Henderson likely to have surpassed Nick Watson for passing scores.

Faced with a make or break scenario, the Chichester Sharks did not disappoint.

Needing two wins against two table-topping foes, the Sharks went toe-to-toe with one and romped over the other. With two wins under their belt, Chichester are now back in the playoff hunt.

Having collapsed in last month’s match-ups against Coventry Jets and London Rebels, it was imperative the Sharks rebounded to keep their hopes of a third successive playoff spot alive.

Chichester Sharks vs Woodham Warriors

With a full squad for the first time this season – bolstered by the return of former player/coach Dayle Kirby and receiver Simon Merton – the Sharks were finally able to break their duck against the Woodham Warriors.

Having been on the wrong end of 5 consecutive close losses against Woodham (including a 40-38 loss earlier this season), Chichester returned the favour with a 25-20 victory over the Warriors.

The win can be attributed in no small part to the stunning defensive performance of the Sharks. With great pressure upfront, and incredible play in the secondary, the D were able to halve the points total of Woodham from the first game. Crucially, they were able to force a 4 and out on the final drive to preserve the victory.

Chichester Sharks vs Coventry Jets

Having been uncharacteristically trounced by the resurgent Jets in June (behind the awesome play of Shad McCook), the Sharks were eager to make amends. It didn’t take long, as the Sharks O scored early and often, whilst the D picked off Jets passes to set up the short field. The game was effectively over by half time – the Sharks were on form, whilst the Jets sorely missed McCook. Chichester ran out 46-12 victors.

The two wins moves the Sharks (4-4-1) into 4th place ahead of the Jets (4-4). Chichester still trail London (6-2-1), Woodham (5-3) and Basingstoke (5-3).

The Sharks remaining fixtures are against Leicester (0-5), Basingstoke and South Wales Warriors (2-3) in Chichester on August 28th.

Notes:

Player stats are now available. Luke Nash (105) has passed the 100 points on the season mark. He needs just 12 points to break the Sharks BAFA/BAFL Receiving/Rushing record of 116 set by Simon Merton in 2010. Justin Handley has set a new Sharks Interception record with 10 on the season (including 2 for TDs), beating the previous best of 6 set by Mike Thompson in 2009.

For those interested in the numbers, the 2011 player statistics have been updated to reflect all four games of the season to date.

Neil has started strong with a 5/1 TD/INT ratio. Adding to the points, his extra point conversion precentage is at an all time high of 71% (previous best 61% in 2010).

Justin Handley is off to a great start in his quest to be the player with the greatest collection of stats, having joined Neil in the passing TD table, sitting at no.3 in receiving TDs, joint 1st in rushing TDs and leading the defense with 7 picks, including 1 for a score.

Top of the receiving table is Luke Nash with an impressive 9 TD catches, followed by Lambo with 5.

For the first time we have multiple players with rushing TDs – both Justin and Gary Robinson have two apiece.

Defensively, we have 14 interceptions already (7 from Justin), two of which have gone back for touchdowns (Justin and Neil). We’re a little slow off the mark on the sack front, recording only 1 to date (Gary).

Altogether a great start to the season, but ultimately its a team sports and happily, we’re off to a winning start with a 2-1-1 record.

The 350 mile round trip to Llanharan in Wales to play two top teams was never going to be easy. Nor was travelling with only 6 available players. Warming up in a gravel car park was a little unexpected too.

That said, the Sharks fought hard, beating the Basingstoke Zombie Horde 53 – 31 in the opening match, before succumbing to the South Wales Warriors 48 – 25. Given the calibre of teams, a 1-1 result on the day was a positive.

Interesting, the Horde also beat the Warriors by multiple scores to leave all three teams 1-1 on the day, which was fitting given the competitiveness but also odd as none of the score lines were close.

The results left the conference table as follows, with Chichester in a good position (pre-Easter weekend games):

Woodham 2-0
London 1-0-1
Chichester 2-1-1
Basingstoke 1-1
South Wales 1-1
Coventry 1-1
Leicester 0-2
Chiltern 0-2

It’s a brief report this week (hey, it’s the Easter weekend and its sunny outside!), but well done to all Sharks that competed this past weekend:

Neil Henderson

Gary Robinson

Justin Handley

James ‘Lambo’ Lambert

Toby Chopra

Luke Nash

Shortly I’ll be updating the league tables (to also reflect the Easter weekend upset of Coventry Jets beating Basingstoke 32-14), plus the player stats tables.

Enjoy the sunshine!