Written by Andy Marsh, LVIII Statistics
Berkshire Renegades completed the 2011 BAFACL regular season with a commanding 39-0 victory over the visiting Bristol Apache at Bulmershe Field.
Not only did game see the Renegades secure their Division 2 third-seed status for the playoffs, but is also memorable for running back Paul Cook breaking the 1,000 yards rushing mark for the season – the greatest rushing performance in Renegades history.
Berkshire received the opening kickoff, and wasted no time at all in scoring – strong running from Cook moved the ball into the Apache red-zone, and quarterback Paul Waddington connected with receiver Matt Coppinger for a 14-yard touchdown pass. Neal Kent’s point-after kick was good, and it was 7-0 to the home team.
The Renegades special teams struck on the ensuing kickoff – Sam O’Brien forcing a fumble from the returner with Nick Coventry pouncing on the loose ball. The Apache defense took back the momentum though when they recovered a Scott Goddard fumble. Bristol’s opening drive looked like a promising one, but Dan Czaszicki and Shaun Blake sacked the Apache quarterback on third down, forcing a punt. Berkshire’s varied running attack again proved its worth on their next drive, with Cook, Ian Lakin, Andrew Nielson and Sam O’Brien all combining well to grind out the yards on the ground. A Waddington pass was tipped and intercepted, and Bristol had the ball back. The Berkshire defense held firm and forced a punt as the first quarter expired.
The home team began the second quarter in style, with Waddington finding receiver Sam Marshall, recently returned to the team from University, for 35-yard touchdown pass. Kent’s kick was again good, and it was 14-0 to the Renegades. Defense took over for a period, with both teams failing to convert on fourth down attempts, and then trading punts. Berkshire extended their lead in the closing moments of the half, as Ally Reid caught an 18-yard pass from Waddington for the touchdown. Kent’s leg was on target again, and it was 21-0 at the break.
The second half started with atrocious weather conditions, as torrential rain blew in across the field. Berkshire went to the reliable hands of their running backs, with Nielson, Goddard and Lakin moving the ball well in the wet – Goddard eventually going in from a yard out for the touchdown. Kent’s kick was blocked, but the lead was now a comfortable one – 27-0 to Berkshire. The Renegades defense again forced a turnover on downs, before O’Brien and Coventry paired up for another impressive rushing drive. Coventry got his just desserts for all his hard work this season, scoring his first touchdown on a 14-yard run just as the game moved into the fourth quarter. The two-point attempt was unsuccessful, but it was now 33-0.
Bristol punted, and then recovered a Waddington fumble. The Renegades returned the favour when Kent forced the ball loose from the Apache running back, with Chris Hollands recovering. Berkshire made the most of the turnover as Waddington and Reid combined again, this time for an 8-yard touchdown pass. The kick was again no good, but the final score had been set - 39-0 to Berkshire.
After the game, Berkshire head coach Paul Gordon commented: After last week Conference winning performance it was important we played well and maintained our seeding of #3 in the country. This was the perfect way to end the league season and with Paul Cook reaching the 1000 yards rushing mark, a just reward for all the hard work the Coaches & Players have manage all year.
We will need to take this momentum into our post season games.
The Berkshire Renegades play in the quarter finals of the BAFANL Division 2 Championships on the 28th August at Bulmershe Sports Field against the Shropshire Revolution.
Kick Off is 2.30pm and refreshments will be available.
Written by Andy Marsh, LVIII Statistics
Berkshire Renegades secured the BAFACL Division 2 West crown with an impressive 47-21 victory over the visiting Gloucester Banshees at Bulmershe Field.
Gloucester received the opening kickoff, but was unable to move the ball and punted. Berkshire started off well, with running back Paul Cook showcasing his usual gutsy running to help move the ball deep into Gloucester territory, before quarterback Paul Waddington connected with receiver Matt Coppinger for a 27-yard touchdown pass. Neal Kent’s point-after kick was good, and Berkshire had jumped out to a quick lead, 7-0. Strong gang-tackling stifled Gloucester’s next drive, but the Banshee defense silenced the home crowd with a 45-yard strip-and-return for the visitor’s opening score of the game. The point-after kick was good, and it was all square, 7-7 as the first quarter came to an end.
Berkshire started the second quarter with a score, as Cook crossed the line from 5 yards out. Kent’s kick was good again, and the lead had been restored, 14-7. Gloucester responded with an excellent drive, moving the ball 83 yards in 16 plays, topped off with a 3 yard touchdown run by Shaun Griffin. The 2-point conversion attempt was no good, but the game had closed up again, 14-13. Defense took control for a while as both teams failed to convert on fourth down, before the Renegades extended the lead – Cook scoring his second from a yard out, in a drive that saw the Renegades convert on fourth down thanks to a fake punt. Kent was good again, and it was 21-13 at the break.
Berkshire started the second half off in style. Firstly, Ally Reid returned the kickoff well into the Gloucester half. Then running back Ian Lakin darted off downfield, being brought down inches short of the endzone. Cook scored his third of the day, plunging in from a yard out. Kent’s leg continued to be faultless, and it was 28-13 to Berkshire. The Renegades defense held firm on the next Gloucester drive, before Berkshire stretched their lead as rookie Andrew Nielson broke downfield for a 38 yard run, turning it into points a couple of plays later from the two-yard line for his first BAFACL touchdown. Kent was still perfect, and Berkshire had a comfortable lead, 35-13. Gloucester weren’t done yet though, by any means. They crafted a superb passing drive that Griffin capped with his second touchdown of the day, going in from 14 yards out. The 2-point conversion was again unsuccessful, but things had tightened up again somewhat, 35-21. Berkshire would re-establish their lead late in the third quarter as Sam O’Brien crossed the line from 11 yards out. Kent’s kick was blocked, and it was 41-21. Berkshire would score once again in the fourth quarter, Waddington and Coppinger working together again for a 3-yard touchdown pass. The 2-point attempt was no good, and the final score was set at 47-21.
After the game, Berkshire head coach Paul Gordon commented: "I’m really proud of the team. After the disappointment of last week , this was an ideal way to get things back on track. We lost to the Sharks due to team mistakes and when we cut out those mistakes only good things can happen. This game also enabled us to get some of our new players on the field and give them some much needed game day experience. The Banshees are an improving team and its only a matter of time before they will be contesting the title."
The Renegades last Home Game is 7th August at Home. The Game is also a fund raising event to support the " Robbie the Robot - Charity "
Written by Andy Marsh, LVIII Statistics
Berkshire Renegades suffered their first loss of the 2011 BAFACL campaign, going down 27-30 at the Cornish Sharks in a back-and-forth contest that either team could have won.
The home team won the coin toss and chose to receive the opening kickoff, but could do nothing with the ball and punted. Berkshire returned the favour, before the Sharks opened the scoring following a lengthy drive – quarterback Nathan Beaman connecting with receiver James Dean for a 16 yard touchdown pass. The 2-point conversion attempt was no good, and Cornish had the early lead, 0-6. Berkshire wasted no time in responding, moving the ball well on the ground and completing a key pass, before running back Ian Lakin ran virtually untouched up the middle for a 12 yard touchdown. Neal Kent’s point-after kick was good, and the Renegades had the lead, 7-6. The Berkshire defense struck on the Sharks’ next play, linebacker Guy Robbins forcing a fumble which Kent pounced on to give the Renegades excellent field position, just inside the Cornish half, as the first quarter came to an end.
Berkshire opened the second quarter with a 32 yard Kent field goal, his longest of the season so far, to stretch the lead to 10-6. Defense took control for a while, with the teams trading punts, before an off-target snap on a Renegades punt caused a fumble, which the Sharks recovered on the Berkshire 8-yard line. A touchdown was almost inevitable given Cornish’s grinding running attack, and Rich Howlett duly obliged, going over from three yards out. Again the 2-point conversion was no good, but the Sharks had the lead back, 10-12. As time ticked down in the first half, Berkshire mixed rushing and passing to good effect, crafting a drive that moved the ball to just outside the Cornish 10-yard line. Unable to punch the ball in, the Renegades scored their second field goal of the day, Kent good from 29 yards. As the half ended, it was 13-12 to the visitors.
The second half started badly for the Renegades, with a fumbled snap being recovered by the Sharks on the halfway line. Cornish were unable to capitalise though, going three-and-out and punting. The Renegades looked to have put some daylight between the teams following a drive that saw them convert on fourth down thanks to a fake punt, leading to a 12-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Paul Waddington to receiver Ally Reid, who wrestled his way into the endzone for the score. Kent was accurate again with his point-after kick, and it was 20-12 to Berkshire. There was almost no time for the Renegades to celebrate though, as Robert MacIntyre first returned the ensuing kickoff for 46 yards, before darting upfield for a 21-yard touchdown run on first down. The Sharks were still not having success with their two-point conversions, but the gap had closed again, 20-18. Berkshire had to punt on their next drive, before Cornish took the lead following a good running drive, Beaman finding Ben Plant for an 8-yard touchdown pass. Another unsuccessful conversion set the scoreboard at 20-24 as the third quarter ended.
Following an exchange of punts, Berkshire recaptured the lead following excellent running by Lakin and fellow running back Paul Cook, who ended the drive by crashing over from a yard out. Kent’s leg was still perfect, and it was 27-24 to Berkshire. The Sharks punted on their next drive, as did the Renegades, but the return was a great one as Allessandro Sidoli lateralled to Matthew Cross, who took the ball to the Berkshire 2-yard line. Adam Kevern went in on first down, and although the 2-point attempt was again no good, the Sharks had the lead back, 27-30. As the game entered the two-minute warning, Berkshire had everything to play for, and put together a threatening drive, moving the ball to just inside the Cornish redzone. A fourth down pass was batted away though, and Cornish were able to take a knee to close out the game.
After the game, Berkshire head coach Paul Gordon commented: “This is away fixture is always a tough one , this is the most we have score against the Sharks away from home and the second year when the game was decided on the very last drive. We made mistakes which cost us , and shall use the experience to make us tougher over the next few games “
The Renegades play this Sunday at Home against the Gloucester Banshees – 2.30pm KO at Bulmershe Playing Field , Reading
Written by Andy Marsh, LVIII Statistics
Berkshire Renegades made it six wins from six games with another hard-fought victory, overcoming Bournemouth Bobcats 28-12 on Sunday.
Berkshire received the opening kickoff, but went three-and-out. Bournemouth started strongly, moving the ball well on the ground until the Renegades’ Rory Buckley stripped the ball from the back. Berkshire put together a promising drive, showing a good mix of passing and rushing. However, they ran out of steam just inside the red zone and Neal Kent’s 31-yard field goal attempt was blocked and recovered by the Bobcats. The teams traded punts, before the Bobcats crafted their first quality drive of the day as time ticked down in the first quarter – the Berkshire defense refused to break though, and Bournemouth’s 41-yard field goal attempt sailed wide of the posts.
The Renegades took to the air at the start of the second quarter, with quarterback Paul Waddington connecting with receivers Ally Reid and Thom Rowlands for lengthy gains, before finding Andy Brown in the endzone from eight yards out for the touchdown. Kent’s point-after kick was good, and it was 7-0 to Berkshire. Bournemouth punted away on their next possession, before their defense struck, recovering a fumbled handoff. The Berkshire defense refused to let them capitalise, and the Bobcats were forced to punt. The Berkshire passing game was in fine form again on the next drive, Jim White and Matt Coppinger making catches for good yardage, before Waddington crossed the line from a yard out on a quarterback sneak. Kent was again accurate on the point-after kick, and Berkshire had extended their lead, 14-0. As the game entered the last two minutes of the half, Bournemouth again drove the ball well, going 44 yards in 9 plays before attempting a last-second 45-yard field goal – the ball fell short, and it was 14-0 to the visitors at the break.
Both teams started the second half sluggishly, punting on their opening possessions. The Renegades punt was blocked and recovered on their 14-yard line, giving the Bobcats excellent field position. The opportunity was not wasted, and two plays later they scored on two-yard fullback dive. The point-after kick was blocked, and it was 14-6. Again Berkshire was forced to punt, before Bournemouth turned the ball over on downs just inside the Renegades 20-yard line. A fumble on first down was recovered by the Bobcats at the 18, and despite a strong stand from the Renegades defense, the Bournemouth fullback scored his second touchdown of the day, going over from two yards out on fourth down. The two-point conversion attempt was no good, but the lead had been cut dramatically, 14-12 to Berkshire. The teams exchanged punts to close out the third quarter.
Berkshire opened up the gap at the start of the fourth quarter. Running back Paul Cook darted downfield for a 40-yard gain on first down, and then Cook and fellow back Ian Lakin ground the ball towards the goalline, Cook going in from a yard out. Kent made it three-from-three as his point-after kick was again good, and it was 21-12 to Berkshire. Bournemouth turned the ball over on downs on their next drive, before Berkshire solidified their lead. Strong rushing from Nick Coventry, and accurate passing from Waddington moved the ball down to the Bournemouth 1-yard line, before Coppinger scored on a one-yard reception. Kent’s point-after record was perfect on the day, and his fourth conversion made it 28-12 to Berkshire. Neither team was able to threaten the opposing endzone again.
After the game, Club Captain Quarterback Paul Waddington commented:
"It was a slow start and Bournemouth bobcats pushed us all the way. We soon settled down and played to the high standards we set ourselves. We have a huge game next week and the coaching staff will look at today's game to improve the areas where we need to."
Berkshire Renegades travel away to South Wales in Game 7 for a 230PM kickoff on 26th June 2011 and would appreciate any fans willing to support the team on the road.
Further details can be found on our website - www.renegadesafc.com or our Facebook Fan Page - www.facebook.com/berks.ren.afc
Written by Andy Marsh, LVIII Statistics
Berkshire Renegades maintained their perfect start to the 2011 BAFACL season, and secured sole possession of the top spot in Division 2 West, with a 9-6 victory over the South Wales Warriors at Bulmershe Field. The game was a typically hard-fought contest, with some ferocious defense play, and the game was only decided in the last ten seconds.
Berkshire received the opening kickoff, but following a first-play sack of quarterback Paul Waddington and a false start penalty the home team punted the ball away. South Wales’s first drive was abruptly cut short when Simon Bruckshaw intercepted a pass and returned it well into the Warrior’s half. The Berkshire rushing attack was finding its stride, and Scott Goddard opened the scoring with a 13-yard dash for a touchdown. Neal Kent’s point-after kick was just wide left, and it was 6-0 to the home team.
The Renegades defense had their tails up, and swarmed over the Warriors on the next drive. Steve Fox just missed out on a sack, but his harrying of the quarterback forced an incompletion, before Dan Czaszicki grabbed the second interception of the day. Berkshire were unable to capitalise this time, and turned the ball over on downs. South Wales put together a strong drive before themselves turning the ball over on downs as the first quarter expired.
The teams traded punts on the next few drives, before South Wales stunned the Berkshire sideline with a 63 yard punt return for a touchdown. The point-after kick was no good, wide right, and it was all square at 6-6. Defense would take the upper hand for the remainder of the first half, with neither team threatening the opposing endzone, and it was 6-6 at the break.
The third quarter was an equally tense affair. Kent’s 25 yard field goal attempt was just off target. South Wales looked to have snatched the momentum as they stripped the ball from Berkshire back Nick Coventry and returned it deep into Renegades territory, but following a sack of the Warriors’ quarterback by Andy Grist the Renegades stole possession themselves, Joe Deyarmin intercepting a pass close to the goalline. As time ticked down in the third quarter, Berkshire crafted their most impressive drive of the day with impressive running from Paul Cook and Goddard and a spectacular catch by receiver Ally Reid setting them up well in the South Wales half. A bobbled snap was recovered by the Warriors, and again strong defensive play had held the game in check.
Into the fourth quarter, and there was nothing to separate the teams. South Wales went three-and-out, before Berkshire turned the ball over on downs just inside the Warriors’ red zone. The teams traded punts, before inside the two minute warning Berkshire’s Fox intercepted on the Renegades five yard line and returned the ball for 78 yards. The home team lined up a 33 yard field goal, but the ball sailed just wide left. But a flag had been thrown – penalty on South Wales. Kent lined up to kick again, this time a 28 yard attempt, and he perfectly split the posts – 9-6 to the home team. All that remained was for the Renegades to hold their nerve on the kickoff and the win was theirs.
After the game, Berkshire head coach Paul Gordon commented:
I am very proud of the this Renegade team, we played an ex Division One team which had a potent Offense that had previously scored at least thirty points a game and held them to nil as they only scored on a Special Teams - Punt Return.
The Renegades Defense coached by Defensive Coordinator Pat Joseph had an outstanding game and were the deciding factor in this close match.
We are only halfway through this season and have to continue to work hard and maintain this fantastic form.
The Renegades have a week off to prepare before they travel south to take on their Week 1 opponents the Bournemouth Bobcats.
The Berkshire Renegades are still looking for Players, Assistants, Sponsorship and fans and can be contacted via Facebook Fan Page (www.facebook.com/berks.ren.afc) or Website