Season Preview 2011

The BAFACL 2011 season will see a lot of changes in Division 2 South West, with a host of brand new teams entering the division. Berkshire Renegades will be up for the challenge as they look to stamp their footprint firmly on this division and build on last year’s playoff appearance. A strong group of returning players is being complemented by some solid recruiting and new athletes looking to join the team and take the Renegades to the next level. But what about the opposition? They’ll have their say in how the 2011 Berkshire Renegades perform and here’s a brief overview of each of the teams.

Gloucester Banshees

Since joining the league in 2009, Gloucester have always been a tough team to face. They recruit well and Head Coach Myers does a good job of bringing everything to the table to get the team ready to go. Since starting the rivalry with the Renegades, Gloucester have recorded just one win from four regular season games. 2010 saw the Renegades shut out the Banshees at home and in the away fixture record a 28-13 win, made all the sweeter as confirmation came through of other results in the league that meant that the Renegades were going through to the playoffs for the first time in the clubs history. The 2010 record of 1 win and 8 losses doesn’t reflect the work ethic of this team and how far they have come.

What to expect:
The Banshees are a tough team with a solid running game. Although the Renegades defense has done a good job in the past of maintaining discipline and shutting down the Banshees’ offense over the course of the game, they will need to maintain this effort to ensure that Renegades explosive running offense has time to get rolling. If previous games are anything to go by, the 2011 clashes should be great to watch with both teams fully capable of breaking a play for a score at any point.

South Wales Warriors

The last time the Renegades faced the Warriors was in 2008 as South Wales dominated Division 2 South West with a record of nine wins and just one loss. After this the Warriors were promoted to Division 1 and maintained their position as a high quality football team. In the history of matches between the two teams the Berkshire side have never beaten South Wales and will be looking to show the Warriors just how far they have come as a team. With a coaching staff committed to excellence and a hungry for victory player base, the Renegades are looking to throw up a few upsets against the Warriors who are looking to return to Division 1.

What to expect:
Hard hitting and hard running will be on the cards for both teams. With veteran Tight End Simon Pearse returning along with the bulk of last season’s fast-paced wide receiver core, the Renegades are looking to a balanced offensive attack to kick start the game and to allow last season’s strong defense the best opportunity to shut down the Warriors’ attack.

Bristol Apache

League newcomers, the Apache have everything to prove. Formed out of a need to retain the players from the very successful youth team in Bristol who were struggling with the jump into not only adult football, but also premier division level competition, Bristol will be well coached, athletic and will be looking to turn their opening season in Division 2 South West into a playoff appearance and potentially promotion. The roster reads as a who’s-who of quality players and coaching staff from the Bristol Football Community and this team will be looking to score. With the results of affiliation fixtures looking promising, this young side will see their opening fixtures as a trial by fire for how well their preparation has gone.

What to expect:
The young team will be facing a confident Berkshire team, looking to establish the run game and shut down the promising athletes from Bristol with a tough defense. Returning defensive linemen and linebackers like Guy Robbins and Ben Flanagan will be looking to leave their experience on the offensive players of the Apache and bring the win in for Berkshire.

Bournemouth Bobcats

The Bobcats are another new addition to the tough Division 2 South West line up that will be looking to make a name for themselves. The Bobcats look to have the ball rolling with two wins in affiliation matches against Bristol Apache and Plymouth Spirit. Bournemouth will be looking to carry on this momentum into the regular season. The closest thing to a derby match in this division, the Renegades will be looking to teach the new team how it’s done and bring home the victory.

What to expect:
The Bobcats have everything to prove in regular competition and little is known about the team and their offense. Key match ups on both sides of the ball will determine whether this young team gets shut down by the veteran defense that allowed an average of 10 points a game during the regular season and whether the potent running attack will open up the passing game for veteran quarterback Paul Waddington to put some more points on the board.

Cornish Sharks

The Sharks have been strong front-runners year after year. Narrowly missing out on the playoffs in 2010, Coach Smallworth’s team has always been a leading competitor in a tough division. With a rising number of athletes joining the team from their youth programs, the Sharks are looking stronger than ever. Last season saw a turnaround in the Renegades’ fortunes as the club recorded its first victory over the Sharks with a 20-0 home win and narrowly lost a 16-18 thriller in the return match in Newquay. These games are known for the intensity and the determination that they bring out of both teams. The Renegades will be looking to repeat their home win and avenge the away defeat against the Sharks. The Sharks know they will have their hands full with the Renegades running game and stingy defense.

What to expect:
The Sharks are looking to re-establish their passing game against the Renegades as this allowed them to secure their 18-16 victory over the team in the dying moments of the game in Newquay, whilst controlling the clock with veteran backs Ian Taylor and Paul Mallen. Coach Smallworth is one of the best in British football and always brings his football smarts to the game, making the Sharks a dangerous opponent any day they step on to the field.

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