Britbowl Rematch Warriors take on Blitz at the pinnacle of the league - Week 6

Some fantastic games this weekend. While it may be hard to look beyond the Britbowl final rematch we are also treated to the East Kilbride Pirates trying to get back on terms with Tamworth after losing the first round. We also get to see if sides like Nottingham and Berkshire can maintain their unbeaten runs for another week. Finally we get to continue to chart the progress made by the new boys, Crewe and DC are both in action while last year's new team Carlisle are playing too. Definitely worth getting to a game if you can this weekend as the season hots up.

 

London Blitz (3-0)  vs  London Warriors (4-0) -  Premiership South

Britbowl XXV last September saw quite a game at the top of the Premiership. In the end the Warriors were unable to get themselves on the scoreboard and suffered with a lack of points on offense. The game finished 18-0. These two rivals met twice in the regular season and both those games were close too. One finished a 7-7 tie, the other a low scoring 8-2. Blitz stayed unbeaten last year, the Warriors ended with that tie and loss as their only dropped games. This year, so far, all indications are that each team are ready to fight for the title again and this could once again be a Britbowl preview. It has now been a long time since the Blitz senior squad lost a game at any level but the Warriors with that 7-7 tie have come closest. Can they finally get the better of their crosstown rivals?

 

East Kilbride Pirates (2-1)  vs  Tamworth Phoenix (2-0) -  Premiership North

The battle for Premiership North continues this weekend as East Kilbride hope that home field advantage is enough to give them the edge over rivals at the top Tamworth. The first game saw the Pirates fail to get on the board. If they want an opportunity at winning the division they need to put up points here. A loss would also push them back into the chasing pack. Tamworth know a win would make them clear favourites in the North even in this early part of the season. This should be a great match once again.

 

Doncaster Mustangs (0-1)  vs  Leicester Falcons (0-0-2) -  Premiership North

Doncaster have yet to take the field this year. This means they have a very congested fixture list with nine games in eleven weeks. That is sure to wear them down by the end of the year. They come into this one with their last action being in the playoffs against the Falcons. The Falcons won that exchange 57-14 and headed to Britbowl to face the Pirates. Doncaster's 8-2 record was good for second last year behind East Kilbride and they were the only side to beat the Pirates in 2011. They can definitely be competitive at this level and will want one back against a Leicester Falcons squad struggling to get out of the tie column.

 

East Kent Mavericks (1-1)  vs  Berkshire Renegades (3-0) -  Division 1 Central & South

Berkshire have started brilliantly and look to be the best side promoted from Division 2. This week they take on the East Kent Mavericks who won their last game against a former Division 2 opponent. That game was at home as well. Last week things did not go as well against Cambridgeshire, a side that Berkshire has already beaten. This matchup has a lot of promise.

 

Nottingham Caesars (4-0)  vs  West Coast Trojans (0-1) -  Division 1 North

The Caesars have had a fantastic start to the year and are sitting with the best record in division 1 at the moment. The team knows it has a great chance in this group down the stretch as well but they need to keep winning. The West Coast Trojans are still adjusting to life in Division 1, their first game was a mud bowl in Coventry where they came off second best against the former Premier side. This opponent is likely to be just as tough for them but you would be foolish to rule them out after their fantastic run in Division 2 last year.

 

Kent Exiles (1-2)  vs  Cambridgeshire Cats (1-2) -  Division 1 Central & South

The Exiles had a troubled start to their time in Division 1 with two losses against higher opponents. They got themselves back on track when they faced their Division 2 rivals the Essex Spartans though. Cambridgeshire had an equally troubled start, theirs was less expected though. Cambridgeshire were considered one of the teams most likely to succeed in this region but until their match against East Kent last weekend that wasn't happening. Wins would mean a lot for both teams here but Cambridgeshire need it most.

 

Essex Spartans (1-1)  vs  Sussex Thunder (1-0) -  Division 1 Central & South

Sussex looked good in their opener last month but with Berkshire looking strong they need to keep on winning. Their opponents this week are Essex who got their first division 1 victory last weekend. To carry on here would be tough but Sussex should not go in expecting to walk it.

 

Shropshire Revolution (0-2)  vs  Merseyside Nighthawks (0-3) -  Division 1 North

Neither of these sides has posted a win yet, both sides could have done so against Gateshead but both came up short by small margins. From their opening games you also feel that both teams will get their victories sooner or later. For one of them it will come this weekend. Shropshire have homefield advantage but as a former Division 2 side they would be expected to come off worse. This one could go either way and should be enjoyable.

 

Chester Romans (1-0-1)  vs  Crewe Railroaders (1-1) -  Division 2 Central

The Crewe Railroaders had a fantastic week 2 entry into the league as they took on Staffordshire and came away winners. Their second game against a resurgent Manchester Titans squad did not end so well as they were sent back down to earth in a 82-13 loss. Getting a win in your first season of competition is fantastic for a new side and there is nothing to stop them from getting a couple more before the year is out. Their opponents this weekend are unlikely to fall to them though, Chester stand a great chance at seven wins and a playoff spot this year and could potentially take the division. It will be tough going for them but they need to win their games against the new sides to stand any chance.

 

D C Presidents (0-1-1)  vs  Manchester Titans (1-0) -  Division 2 Central

Manchester have already beaten this region's other new team the Railroaders. Now they take on the Presidents who had a decent start against Lincolnshire. Like the Railroaders they are obviously developing this year and while wins are possible this is unlikely to see one of them. Expect the Presidents to play hard but Manchester, a former Division 1 team walk in clear favourites after taking Crewe out two weeks ago.

 

Sheffield Predators (1-0)  vs  Lincolnshire Bombers (1-1) -  Division 2 Central

The Bombers have let their first victory sink in now and are dedicated to trying to duplicate it. This weekend they take on a Predators side that took apart Staffordshire Surge last weekend. Looking at it one suspects the Bombers will need to wait another couple of weeks for that second victory as the Predators are focussed on taking the region title.

 

Colchester Gladiators (1-2)  vs  Bedfordshire Blue Raiders (2-1) -  Division 2 East

The Blue Raiders have had a great start to the year with victories over Maidstone and a Watford side that should be fighting for the region. Colchester have had a tough start to life at this level being relegated in 2011. They have also beaten Maidstone and are looking to carry on that run. As a former Division 1 side they should go in favourites but the Blue Raiders have had such a good start that this game is now too close to call and should make a good watch.

 

Oxford Saints  vs  Gloucester Centurions (0-2-1) -  Division 2 West

Oxford are still waiting on a chance to show what they can do as a former Division 1 team sent down to Division 2. This is their first chance as they take on a young Centurions side that will not be wanting to make life easy for them. Gloucester know they are in for a tricky game here but the Saints may slip up in their opener.

 

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

Apache have postponed their way back to a late start after waterlogged pitch troubles. The side need to work to improve on last year's 2-7-1 record. The Bobcats will not be an easy team to beat, however, after picking up a win off the Cornish Sharks already.

 

Carlisle Border Reivers (2-4)  vs  Glasgow Tigers (2-2) -  Division 2 North

The Tigers have fought hard but come up short twice this season, they need a match that will get them back on track as four teams sit atop their division on 4-0. The Border Reivers are likely to be easy meat but if they can keep it close then it is possible they cana make it a third close loss for the Tigers.