Following a league wide restructure from two divisions (Premier and National) into 3 divisions (Premier, Division 1, Division 2) the Eagles have been placed in Division 1 for the upcoming season. This represents a promotion from last year, which shows how far our team has come in just one year.
BAFA have split the National Leagues into 2 conferences (North and South) across all 3 divisions, and the Eagles will be competing in the Northern half of the Southern Conference (SFC 1 North) along with Hertfordshire Cheetahs (formerly Watford), Cambridgeshire Cats and Birmingham Bulls. We play each of our division opponents twice (home and away), and play 4 out of division games against the SFC 1 South.
Whilst details of dates are still being confirmed, we can announce the following provisional schedule:
Cambridge Cats (A)
The Eagles kick off the 2015 season, away to the first of 4 former premiership teams, the Cambridgeshire Cats. This represents the first time the Cats and Eagles will have met each other, and as a local derby will be sure to provide some fireworks, with the Cats trying to prove they are better than the 2-6 season they posted in the Premier division last season, and the Eagles looking to build on their national league 8-2 record, it’s a massive game to start the season.
Birmingham Bulls
Next up for the Eagles is a physically grueling encounter against the Birmingham Bulls. Finishing with a respectable record of 4-6 in a tough Premiership North last season, the Bulls will be disappointed to find themselves in the second tier. However, with a raft of changes to the coaching staff and playing squad in the off-season, the Bulls have created quite a buzz around the club, and will be looking to set the tone against the Eagles.
Hertfordshire Cheetahs
The first of two re-match games against our closest rivals, the newly re-branded Herts Cheetahs. In what was a closely contested game last season the Cheetahs walked away with a 19-0 victory against the Eagles in what was our first ever game. The Cheetahs then went on to record an undefeated season and get the #1 seeding for the playoffs. A quick exit in the playoffs followed, and they will be looking to prove that they have learned and progressed from that experience and try and go one step further in the playoffs this year.
Colchester Gladiators (A)
Kicking off the out-of-division games, the Gladiators represent the third ex-premiership team that the Eagles will face this season, dropping into the 2nd tier after a disappointing 1-7 season in their only season in the Premiership. Having lost their HC during the off-season, this year could see a very different Colchester competing in the SFC 1 South, as they will look to bounce back offensively.
Farnham Knights (H)
Our second out-of-division game sees the Farnham Knights travel to Bedford to mark the halfway point of the season. Farnham are quite a storied franchise, but have only just came back into the league in 2013, after taking a year out to rebuild in 2012. Veteran HC Steve Rains returned to the fray last year, leading the Knights to a 9-1 regular season, only losing to eventual winners Merseyside Nighthawks in the playoffs. Expect a big offense and tough defense when the Knights arrive.
East Kent Mavericks (H)
The fourth ex-premiership side the Eagles face in 2015, the Mavericks find themselves in the SFC 1 South after a rough 1-7 campaign in the Premiership last year. They will be looking to prove that was a one-off and return to the form of previous seasons. A well run setup, expect a professional outfit to come to Bedford and challenge the Eagles in all phases of the game.
Solent Thrashers (A)
In a repeat of last season’s quarter finals, the Eagles travel to a strong Solent team. After posting an undefeated regular season, the Thrashers won a closely contested game against the Eagles, to see them through to a semi-final berth where they were beating by a very technical Edinburgh side. With strong ties the local university, expect a large and capable Solent side to try and better the Eagles again.
Cambridge Cats (H)
The return leg of this fixture sees the Cats travel to Bedford.
Birmingham Bulls
The second game against the Bulls could very well be critical with the playoffs looming.
Hertfordshire Cheetahs
The Eagles finish off the season against rivals the Cheetahs. Could this game decide who makes the playoffs and who doesn’t?
