Chairman’s Welcome Welcome again to the University of Hertfordshire. The London Blitz continue their itinerant campaign facing the Bristol Aztecs, the first of the return legs to happen this season. At the last encounter, the Blitz emerged victorious 19 - 39 in a hard fought game that highlighted a number of shortcomings that would need to be worked on as the season progressed if the team were to continue in its pursuit of the national championship. So far this season has shown a greater degree of parity in the league, and all its players are enjoying the harder fought competition. This has meant that the Blitz have had to work even harder to sustain their position in British football. This is the first return to the field for the A team since a close and hard fought loss against the rival London Warriors. Though there were some positives taken from that game, the overbearing feelings were frustration and determination. These feelings will need to be applied effectively throughout the second half of the season. The Blitz never enjoy losing, and will never get in the habit of doing it. Fortunately, the B team and Under 19 teams made up for this loss with some very impressive results last weekend. The Blitz B came from behind in impressive fashion to topple the Ipswich Cardinals 32-27, in an effort that showed real determination and endurance. The Under 19 team cruised to a 60-0 victory vs. the Sussex Thunder, in a performance that really shows the skill we have coming up through the ranks. As a whole organisation we are proud of the skill we have at all levels, and as we move forward we are very keen to build closer links between all our teams to ensure that the London Blitz are the foremost organisation for American football in this country. Enjoy the game. Bristol Aztecs The Bristol Aztecs are a British American football team based at the SGS WISE sports academy of South Gloucestershire and Stroud College in Bristol, boasting some of the best facilities anywhere in the country. The Aztecs field a senior team in the Premier Division of the BAFA Community Leagues, as well as youth teams and a second adult contact team - the Bristol Apache. The team was formed in 1990 and has played in all BAFL divisions, and been in four Britbowl Finals. They remained in the Premier division following the 2007 BAFL re-alignment, and have competed at the top national level since. Led by Head Coach Chris Powles and his staff, the Aztecs are currently third in the Premier Division South, with a record of 2-1-1. The Team has put in some strong performances including a nail-biting 39-38 win over the Farnham Knights on May 22nd. London Blitz B vs. Ipswich Cardinals Match Report The London Blitz B came from behind to beat the Ipswich Cardinals in a must-win game last weekend. The Blitz B had come off a three-game losing streak, and needed a win in order to get their season back on track. The Ipswich Cardinals were equally desperate to come out on top, having failed to secure a win so far in the 2016 season. The game got off to a terrible start for the Blitz B - the Cardinals ran a starburst kick return on kick-off and, on a much wider than usual field, returned it for 6. The width of the field worked in both offence's favour - both sides trading blows until half time, at which point the Cardinals led 20 - 13. At half time, DC Matt Osborne installed a new audible to counter the Cardinals’ key run play; a Tight End with Trips Bunch on the weak side. The audible proved successful, and while the Cardinals struggled for yards, the Blitz B scored three times to lead 32 - 20. Blitz running backs Kaylind Grant (pictured below) and Francis Stewart both put in solid performances, and QB Chris Walker kept several drives alive by scrambling for first down. However, the Cardinals managed to pull one back late in the game to bring the score to 32 - 27, setting up a tense final 2 minutes. The Cardinals attempted an on-side kick, but it was recovered well by the Blitz, who then needed a first down to kneel out the game. However, they couldn’t manage it and were forced to punt. Just when it seemed like the Cardinals might have one last throw of the dice, Long-Snapper and DL Stephen Parry recovered the Blitz punt, and the referee blew the final whistle. Photography (c) phil3productions London Blitz Roster Number Player Name Number Player Name 3 Tim Liechti 52 Matt Eva 4 Shane Afolabi 53 Remi Akibo 5 KB Asiedu 54 Ed Cheadle 6 Charlie Joseph 55 Sky Modebe 7 Jeff Davis 56 James Connolly 8 Sam Marshall 57 Scott Hillcoat 9 Kyle Jervier 58 Max Petitjean 10 Jack Daley 65 Matt Meyer 71 Siever Stubben 11 Ronel Daley-Thomas 72 Joe Awonusi 12 Josh Adamson 73 Justin 13 Mike Aboujaoude 74 Deejay Ogunkolati 16 Ben Sarpong 75 Majid 17 Luke Naughton 77 Joseph Odeginyon 19 Jonell Pellie 78 Azmi Sbaiti 22 Deji Davies 79 Bam Olaseni 23 Deji Alli 80 Henry Charlton Weedy 24 Enoch Hankombo 81 Justin Holder 25 Sam Joseph 82 Craig Marron 26 Matt Barrington 83 Josh Vines 27 William Kodjo Davis 84 Sam Rodgers 28 Temi Oduyemi 85 Fabio 29 Jason Selormey 86 Alex Laird 31 Raphael Osei 88 Jasper Van Dooren 32 Glen Toonga 89 Ricardo Libbert 33 Stefan Rivera-Gonzalez 90 Alan Blake 34 Jose Van Ooten 91 Jonny Ridge 35 Lewis Owusu-Afriyie 92 Oti Ojuyah 36 Jordan MacIntosh 93 Rodon Zeqiri 38 Aaron 94 Charlie Cohen 39 Luke Prendergast 95 Ari Halldorsson 41 Jordan Jones 96 Luke Whitney 44 Daniel Howard 97 Oli Stein 49 Fab Gargiulo 98 Jamie Charles 51 Alex Davies 99 Kamil Potrec Bristol Aztecs Roster Position Player Name Position Player Name QB Gareth Thomas DL Idrissa Fornah RB Bobby Nightingale DL Travanis Vangelis RB Martin Tranter DL Nick James RB Dan Maher DL Mike Wring RB Yemi Falana DL Todd Clarke RB Aiden Johnson DL Ludovic Jacquin RB Khadr Ahmed DL Steve Davey RB Nick Jones DL Theo Williamson OL Levi Smith DL Collins Nwaogu OL Tass-Thorlu Bangura DL Alex Gray OL Will Bunce DL Neil Stephonson OL Stephen Hartman LB Josh Bailey OL Josh Sykes LB Trafford Ali OL Jon Furse LB Adam Szabo LB Tom Proctor OL Neville Jadel OL Ben Ashby LB Lewis Hunter LB Jareth Webster OL Mike Martin LB Callum Wright OL Matt Taylor LB Jacob Thomas WR Sean Cook LB Alex Reilley WR Sam Hemmingsley DB Jamie Tobin WR Blair Gordon DB Alfie Showunmi WR Lucas Abelgen DB James Armah WR Simon George DB Ryan Morton WR Tim Penny DB Jordan Metcalf WR Joe Cotteril DB Arsha Etebar WR Tapei Craig DB Craig Wilkinson WR Stuart Wilson DB Ben Cooper WR Aaron Lindley DB Matt Adeyo Kicker James Lloyd DB Oliver Bourne Punter Andrew Alston DB Tom Grant DB James Perrett DB Dan Pell DB Eddie Onamade Premier South: Schedule Date Opponent Venue Result Score April 17th Farnham Knights Home Win 42 - 6 May 1st Bristol Aztecs Away Win 19 - 39 May 8th South Wales Warriors Home Win 33 - 6 May 22nd London Warriors Away Loss 13 - 6 June 12th Bristol Aztecs Home - - June 19th London Olympians Home - - June 26th Farnham Knights Away - - July 10th South Wales Warriors Away - - July 17th London Olympians Away - - August 7th London Warriors Home - - Premier South: Standings Team Win Loss Tie PCT PF PA London Warriors 5 0 0 100 258 17 London Blitz 3 1 0 75 120 44 Bristol Aztecs 2 2 1 40 118 166 South Wales Warriors 2 2 1 40 98 183 Farnham Knights 1 4 0 20 96 173 London Olympians 0 4 0 0 26 153 Feature Player: Ollie Stevenson B Team Linebacker #44 London Blitz Media & Marketing Where did your Blitz journey begin? I actually discovered the London Blitz completely by accident - I was on Google Maps one day and I stumbled across the home ground in Finsbury Park. I had never played the sport before, but that’s the best thing about American Football in the UK - experience doesn't matter as long as you’re committed to improving. The great thing about the London Blitz is that the B Team allows newer players the chance to experience competitive football almost immediately. What is your goal for this season? On the field my goal is to finish every game knowing that I’ve given 100% and executed my responsibility on every play. Off the field I want to do the club justice in my role as Media & Marketing rep - I believe this this the best club in the UK, and it's my responsibility to make sure we appear that way to our players, partners, sponsors and fans. Who is the best coach you've ever had and why? Without a doubt it has to be Coach Carl Rushe. Throughout every game and every practice, he always expected the best from his players. He pulled no punches if you weren't pulling your weight (especially in tackling drills) but he commanded respect from every single player, and made you want to perform at your best. He also showed his undying commitment to the team by suiting up on occasion when we were short on D! He will be sorely missed. What was the best game of your career and why? Last weekend the London Blitz B hosted the Ipswich Cardinals at home.