Blog Archives

APPLICATIONS DEADLINE

22/12/2014

A reminder that the deadline for applications from potential new teams to join the British League for the 2015/16 season is 31 January, 2015. For details, contact General Secretary Chris Ducker, [email protected].

31 January is also the deadline for existing teams to notify withdrawals from the League.

CHAMPIONSHIP KINGS!

17/12/2014

It's that time of year for big celebrations for victorious teams in the British League!

Pictured above are the Carlisle team, winners of Championship 2, a notable achievement for a club that only entered the League in 2009. Carlisle received their trophy and medals from BWPL President Pippa Jones at Lancaster University. The players and team officials are - in the back row (left to right): Colin Burgess, Myles Little, Tom Grieve Sam Routledge, Andy Robinson, Matt Grieve, Paul Armstrong. Front: Noel Howson, Davey Stewart, Alex Armstrong, Matt Little, Ross Stewart, Jeff Parker, Andy Little.

The picture below shows York City, winners of Championship 3, with League President Pippa Jones. Back row: Nick Boaz, Toby Clarkson, Liam Fletcher, Ben Pacey, Joe Rippon, Jonny Lucas, Matty Groves. Front: Chris Burns, Eddy Clarkson, captain Paul Floyd, Kevin Clarkson, Danny Rippon, Andy Morris.
Photos: Trevor Hyde.

LIVERPOOL IN BOX SEAT

17/12/2014

Liverpool Lizards are already on the brink of clinching a first Super 5s title after extending their winning run to six matches with a 13-6 victory over reigning champions Otter at Leeds University.

When the finale to the season takes place at Guildford in January, they will need just a point from remaining matches against closest rivals City of Manchester and City of Coventry to be sure of success.

Fiona McCann (3), Katie Hesketh (3) and Laura Hesketh (2) were the leading scorers in the win over Otter, who conceded five goals in the last quarter. Manchester won again - 15-5 against Sheffield Sharks, including five goals from Isobel Howe and four from Rosie Huck.

Otter Lutra and Leeds Sharks lead Championship 1 with 100 per cent records from four matches.

SOLIHULL GRAB TOP THREE SPOT

14/12/2014

The final men's Championship 2 table shows that Carlisle, Solihull and Worthing took the top three promotion places by a comfortable margin - but it could easily have been very different.

Solihull made it thanks to a 9-8 victory over West London Penguin in their last match at Lancaster University to finish four points clear of fourth-placed Penguin. A Penguin win would have promoted the London club - and knocked out Solihull, title contenders prior to a recent dip in form.

Penguin started badly - they were soon 4-0 down. But they grafted their way back into contention, eventually levelling at 7-7 with three minutes to go. Solihull edged ahead again shortly afterwards through Jordan Elliot, quickly followed by another Penguin equaliser from Taka Ota. Solihull's winner, by Phil Powell, came just 23 seconds later.

Champions Carlisle rounded off their programme in positive fashion, beating Hucknall 20-11, while Worthing walloped Exeter 22-7.

UNIVERSITY END YORK RUN

14/12/2014

After winning 13 matches this season to finish top of men's Division Four and Championship 3, York City finally fell at the 14th and final hurdle - 9-7 against University of Bristol at Lancaster University.

York won't worry too much. Along with Otter, 14-12 winners against South Derbyshire, and the University they start next season in Division Three - speedy progress for a club that only returned to national league competition at the start of the 2012 season.

In another Championship 3 fixture, Southampton won a high-scoring clash with Bridgefield 17-15.

CASTLEFORD TAKE CHAMPIONSHIP 4 CROWN

14/12/2014

Castleford, newcomers to the British League this season, clinched the Championship 4 Shield with an emphatic 14-7 victory in the winner-takes-all finale against Ealing at Marlborough College, Wiltshire.

They started nervously, fluffing two penalties, but quickly increased a 6-3 lead at the halfway stage when impressive 15-year-old Isaac Wass counterattacked from deep inside his own half to score a fine solo goal.

Castleford's well-organised defence were able to limit the opportunities for Ealing pit forward Michal Vrabec and the lead stretched to 10-6 by the end of the third period. Ealing's challenge quickly dissipated in the final quarter and there were celebrations as Castleford skipper Michael Grantham received the trophy from BWPL chairman David Andrews. Pictured (left to right) in the back row are: Paul Greatorex (coach), Matt Lawty, Toby Greatorex, Alex Hall, Joe Walsh, Lewis Young, Alex Miller, Dan Pollock, Joe Bugg, Luke Franks; Front: Reece Caunce, Isaac Wass, Michael Grantham, James Craven.

City of Cambridge beat Bedford 11-6 and so join Castleford and Ealing in Division Four next season.

MANCHESTER STUN COVENTRY

14/12/2014

Liverpool Lizards took a stronger grip on the women's Super 5s title race without even entering the pool at Leeds University. They watched as nearest rivals City of Coventry went down 10-6 to City of Manchester, whose chief goalscorers were Casey Smith (2), Rosie Egan (2) and Siobhan Hoy (2).

HAMISH STRIKES FOR WATFORD

14/12/2014

Sixteen-year-old Hamish Hudson scored with just a second remaining on the clock to give Watford a 13-12 Championship 3 victory over Cheltenham Spartans at Lancaster University.

Cheltenham, who suffered their second single-goal defeat of the weekend, went 12-11 ahead with 2.49 remaining. Luke Rogers equalised for Watford before Hudson's late, late winner.

LIVERPOOL STAY AT THE TOP

14/12/2014

Liverpool Lizards made it five out five wins with an easy 12-1 victory over Sheffield Sharks at Leeds University. Main scorers were Fiona McCann (3), Escola Menzano (3), Grace Rowland (2) and Kathryn Fowler (2).

Main challengers City of Coventry raced into a 4-0 lead in the opening quarter against Otter and went on to win 13-9, including four goals each for Vicki Hawkins and Fran Clayton.

In Championship 1, two sides retained 100 per cent records - Leeds Sharks beat Mid Sussex Marlins 11-6 and Otter Lutra won 8-4 against Liver Liver Birds.

YORK WIN CHAMPIONSHIP 3

14/12/2014

York City wrapped up the men's Championship 3 title at Lancaster University - but only just managed to retain a 100 per cent record in a 10-9 victory over Cheltenham Spartans.

Cheltenham led 7-6 after two quarters and 9-7 after three, but York levelled through Jon Lucas and Danny Rippon and snatched the winner just 28 seconds from the end by Paul Floyd.

The other promotion places go to Otter, who defeated Southampton 12-9 thanks to goals by Nikolaos Roussos (6) and Athanasios Mourikas (4); and University of Bristol, 13-9 winners against South Derbyshire.

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