UCLA Renegades take the Northern Conference Title

23rd July 2001

As the Birmingham Raiders announced that they were unable to continue playing in the league this season, this meant that only UCLA Renegades and Sheffield Lightning would be attending the Northern Conference tournament in Boston, Lincolnshire. Both teams had a legitimate shot at winning the Northern Conference so there was all to play for. Both sides agreed to play their two league games Sunday now that Birmingham had withdrawn from the competition.

GAME 1 - UCLA RENEGADES 28-14 SHEFFIELD LIGHTNING

Both sides came fired up and ready to play in this crucial Northern Conference game and it wasn't long before the deadlock was broken as UCLA quarterback Matt Dean found Warren Brown from 18 yards out to put the home side ahead. Kerslake grabbed the two point conversion. Sheffield found their form on the following possession and key fourth down completions by quarterback Pastorelli kept their drive alive. On fourth and goal, Pastorelli unloaded under pressure to running back Gareth Naylor who weaved through UCLA defenders to score from 19 yards out. With the attempted conversion unsuccessful UCLA still had a two point advantage. UCLA responded with a strong drive that lead to Dean finding Kerslake from 10 yards out to extend the lead. The conversion pass was incomplete. Both teams had trouble finding their feet in the second quarter until inside the final two minutes where Sheffield began to move the ball at will. A UCLA defensive stand looked on the cards until on the final play of the half Pastorelli unleased a 43-yard bomb to Paul Oates who caught the ball between two UCLA defenders and reached the endzone. The successful conversion (again from Pastorelli to Oates) meant the scores were tied at 14-14 at the half. UCLA found their feet in the second half and set their wheels in motion as a well executed drive led to Kerslake scoring from 10-yards out and catching the conversion. With good defensive work from Grooby and MacDonald prevented Sheffield from advancing the ball, the scoring was completed when Warren Brown caught a touchdown pass from Dean to leave the score at 28-14.

GAME 2 - UCLA RENEGADES 62-14 SHEFFIELD LIGHTNING

A win for UCLA would secure the Northern Conference title and a 44 point first half helped them on their way to secure the Northern crown.

The scoring opened on the first possession when Fullback Darren Cocayne raced 65-yards for the opening score. Saftey Piers Angove was the next to score after catching an interception in his own endzone he sprinted the full 100 yards to score with Dean scoring the two to leave it 14-0 after the opening quarter. Another Angove interception was returned to the Sheffield six where running back Mark Kerr added another touchdown from 6 yards out and Jim Blach added the two. On the next UCLA possession some good blocking from Blach created a hole for Kerr to jinx his way to a 67-yard touchdown with Kerslake adding two. Warren Brown who displaying his skills at receiver switched to cornerback where he returned interceptions for touchdowns on back to back plays firstly returning the ball 35 yards for a touchdown converted by Kerslake and then returning one 40 yards without conversion leaving UCLA with a commanding 44-0 halftime lead. In the second half, the pace of the game slowed, yet the quality of football was still there and the scoring still continued as Dean scampered in from 11 yards out. Sheffield swiftly replied to the score with Adam Kettlewell swepping to the left and then dodging UCLA defenders to score from 40-yards out. With UCLA still effectively moving the ball Darren Cocayne scored his second touchdown of the day from 30 yards out.

Sheffield returned to their highly efficient passing attack and scored when Oates grabbed a 30-yard reception from Pastorelli. The scoring was complete when Head Coach and Tight End Mark Cleaver caught a pass and rumbled 65-yards to make the final score 62-14 and UCLA the Northern Conference champions. Sheffield drop to 2-2 on the season, whereas UCLA finish with a 5-1 regular season record. UCLA will meet the second placed Southern Conference side in the semi-finals in September.

The final Northern Conference fixtures are on August 12th, when the Fen Harriers (3-1) attempt to secure the second Northern Conference berth when they host the Sheffield Lightning (2-2) and Leicester Eagles (2-2). All three sides are still in the race for second spot.

The next fixtures in the BSFL are on August 5th, when the final Southern Conference games are played. London Gators (4-0) host a three-team tournament involving Bournemouth Raiders (3-1) and Canterbury Coyotes (2-2).