gridiron UK

Yesterday in the NFL playoffs Kansas City Chiefs tackle 72 Eric Fisher at 13:38 on YouTube celebrated a touchdown by pinching some spectators' beers and then not drinking them ... understandable.

Early start in Colney Lane Norwich yesterday for visitors Swansea Titans.  A perishing side wind so unsurprisingly no place kicking from either team, lots of daft penalties and both teams recovered onside kicks.  Swansea's quarterback #7 was ....more here

In Norwich yesterday UEA Pirates v Birmingham Lions was abandoned in the third quarter.

On a miserable yesterday the UEA Pirates had their first premiership win beating Hertfordshire Hurricanes 24-00.  It could have been at least 30-00 but a ... more here

Standing on a sideline in Red Lodge watching american football with a Bury Saint either side of us.  A closely pursued running back approached and we were gratified that the players either side started to move before us, we'd always felt a bit soppy running away:)  Having seen this we will now start running sooner.

The UEA Pirates knew that promotion to the premiership was going to be a leap and last Sunday for their first home game of this season they were shut out ... more here

Saturday in Norwich was women's flag american football Opal series round four.  Hosted by the Iceni Spears we were very pleased to see their numbers have grown to offence and defence plus players over but not GB defensive end Victoria Ware as she'd injured her ankle playing netball.  In contrast the Hyde Park Renegades (in white) had the just the minimal five and were devastating.

Saturday Great Britain v Russia american football live streamed on the BBC website.

It's the Ipswich Cardinals american football second come and try rookies day Sunday.

An insight into women's american football from Cheshire Bears defensive lineperson Megan Delaney.(a one time roller derbyist)  A safety (around 2:58) because the QB threw the ball out the back of the end zone.  We've seen player panic in a uni game do the same and we've done similar playing rugby <blush>.

UEA Prospects Saturday in Norwich had an impressive turnout of some 60 rookies including a woman player.  (Last season several visitors had one or ... more here

Similarly to previously cyclocross and roller derby tomorrow the Beeb is showing the Under 19s and Premiership Britbowl american football finals on their web site only.

Devastated that Great Britain women's american football last night won their match against Finland but failed to win the European Championship by two points.  Towards the end our stomachs got so tight we felt ill but gratifying that Iceni Spear Victoria Ware playing defensive end for GB made such a contribution even if Pinky and Perky the commentators couldn't get her surname right.

We were surprised and much saddened to learn that Ipswich Cardinals owner and general manager Ralph Alexander has passed away, it seemed to ... more here

Sunday it looked like it was going to be an Ipswich Cardinals walkover with two early touch downs against an outnumbered East Kent Mavericks.  Approaching the end of the first half the Mavericks recovered their own dropped ball to run it in a ... more here

Before Sunday's match (the Bury Saint's last at home this season) the referee opined that correct male (there were no ladies playing) attire for gridiron is to ... more here

Norwich Devil #25 Joe Jacobs scoring the winning touch down last weekend has prompted comment.

Nice to have the refs back yesterday for Ipswich Cardinals 21-07 East Essex Sabres.  The Cards' 21 was done the hard way with two failed point after kicks but one safety.  The Cards are away to the Norwich Devils next weekend.

If you become an american football referee in the UK you get paid, get expenses, have a buddy/mentor when starting, there are at least two women refs in East Anglia, and you get called sir (or sometimes ma'am).  More info on the BAFRA web site.

Annoyingly the diversion for the closed Westerfield level crossing is NOT signed but we still made it to Ipswich Cardinals v Maidstone Pumas yesterday.  Surprisingly there were no refs and general manager Ralph Alexander said other games were also without officials, a shortage of refs?  Coaches and helpers substituted as officials (with timekeeping by Stan on a stopwatch he had in the car).  Very disorientating with no stripes on the field, we were confused where to look.  In the end the somewhat outnumbered Pumas who never got going were shut out 29-00.

To the east in the county the Bury Saints similarly shut out the Colchester Gladiators 58-00 ... a bit Suffolk eh?