The home of American Football in Beds, Bucks and Northants
If you are travelling to Birmingham for the game on Sunday against the Bulls, the address you will need for your Sat Nav is:
Holly Lane Sports and Social Club
Holly Lane
Erdington
Birmingham
West Midlands
B24 9LH
Telephone: (0121) 384 4732
Admission is free, and there is a licensed bar and hot food available.
If you are unable to make it to the game we will be providing live, play-by-play coverage via our Twitter channel from 2.30pm.
The Eagles soar into their third game in the first four weeks of the season – having gone 2 and 0 to kick off 2015 thanks to beating the Hertfordshire Cheetahs a fortnight ago – against the league favourite, Birmingham Bulls.
The Bulls are a storied franchise in Britball, and with over 30 continuous years in the league it’s safe to say they are certainly the more experienced of the two teams.
The Bulls may well feel hard done by to find themselves in Division 1 after having competed at the Premier League level for a number of years. Last year they went 4-5 in the Premiership North. The league saw fit to demote them in restructure, and that has led to this weekend’s exciting matchup.
The Bulls have undergone a massive overhaul in the off-season, seeing a lot of experienced coaches and players leave, which has opened the way for Bulls legend Mark Pagett to be named the Head Coach.
Coach Pagett has brought in a new staff, some fresh faces in the team, and renewed some old partnerships with the likes of GB Students Captain Tom Levick rejoining the club after a few seasons played in Europe.
Sunday’s game will be their first of the season, kicking off against an Eagles side that has fought hard to gain back-to-back victories against the Cats and the Cheetahs. Both teams are well-known for having tough and aggressive defenses, so expect another battle, with points at a premium.
The Eagles are buoyed by the return of Running Back Zak Henry after missing the last game with a virus, and Defensive Captain Gareth ‘Tish’ Pullen who has returned from holiday.
Expect a tough battle, and an exciting, nail-biting game in Birmingham. Could we see the Eagles emerge as early season favourites for the title after going 3-0? Will the Bulls live up to the huge expectations after being demoted? Join us on Sunday at 2:30pm to find out!
If you are unable to make it to the game we will be providing live, play-by-play coverage via our Twitter channel from 2.30pm.
Youth Team Head Coach Nick Benning gives on how things are progressing with the Under-18s…
A key aim for the Eagles committee when founding the club was to bring competitive Youth American Football to the area.
Over the past few months we have been taking the first steps to doing just that.
We opened up our rookie try-outs to across the region to under-18s, and we’re very pleased to have had over 20 of them attend the Milton Keynes session alone, with further attendees at the St Neots and Northampton sessions.
Later in the year I was honoured to be appointed Head Coach of our first Youth Team, and along with several senior players – Chris Cowley, Neil Duffy, Kevin Kong, Jack Rice and Jack Davis-Fletcher – who also took their Level 1 coaching badge, we were pleased to welcome several of the try-outs back for their first real taste of American Football.
Since October we have been taking weekly sessions providing the lads with the fundamentals they will need for the game, initially working on the basics; Safety, Frame, Fitness, Movement and Technology.
Going forwards we have introduced passing routes, zonal coverage and of course the one they all love, tackling, with an aim to allow for a seamless transition from the Youth to Senior setups.
Although admittedly the conversion numbers were initially quite low with only eight or nine attendees at the early sessions, many familiar faces made it down over the following weeks.
Additionally we have been boosted with links to Sharnbrook School here in Bedfordshire, who have setup their own weeknight training session, and the support of the PE department at Bedford Free School.
The week after the Super Bowl saw our numbers swell to 25 keen youngsters.
We now have a regular core of around 15 attendees, the overall standard has been improving every week, and I think the other coaches would agree that we have excellent potential in the squad.
We aim to have our first friendly 5v5 game this summer, and to enter the team in the league in 2016.
As a long term goal we will have Junior and Youth teams here in Bedford, which will be followed by teams in Milton Keynes, St Neots and other parts of our region.
If you know of anyone under 18 who might be interested in giving the sport a go we’d love to have them on board, so get in touch!
Ouse Valley Eagles 14 Hertfordshire Cheetahs 12
The Eagles moved to a 2-0 with a hard fought, come from behind victory over local rivals the Hertfordshire Cheetahs in a blustery game at Bedford International Athletics Stadium on Sunday.
Trailing 12-0 going into the fourth quarter, Quarterback Justin LaRoda connected with Chris Cowley to start the comeback, and ran in a second himself from four yards out to cap a remarkable turnaround.
The Eagles won the toss and deferred, so the Cheetahs received the ball and started on their own 20-yard line thanks to a touch back.
After a couple of strong runs through the middle which resulted in a first down the Cheetahs’ drive stalled and they were forced to punt, and the Eagles started on their own 25-yard line.
The Eagles offense drove the ball well all the way down to the Cheetahs one-yard line, but fumbled the ball on first and goal to turn the ball over.
Both sides traded possessions for the rest of the first half without ever really troubling the opposition red zone, and it was no surprise to see the teams go in level at the interval.
Half time score: Eagles 0 Cheetahs 0.
The Eagles started the second half on their 20 following another touch back, but turned the ball over after going for it on fourth and short on the 29.
A defensive penalty backed the Eagles up further, and the Cheetahs ran the ball in from 10 yards to finally open the scoring, although the extra-point attempt was no good.
On the Eagles’ next possession the ball was picked off on third down to give the Cheetahs the ball on the forty-yard line, and following some strong running they were soon back in the red zone.
A 14-yard pass later and the Cheetahs had doubled their advantage but were unsuccessful with the two-point attempt, which would come back to haunt the men from Hertfordshire.
The teams again traded possessions for the rest of the third quarter, but the start of the fourth brought the Eagles to life.
Starting with the ball on their own 23, LaRoda completed four quick passes to bring the Eagles down deep in opposition territory. He connected with Cowley on a slant to reduce the deficit, and once the PAT was successfully converted the lead was cut to five.
A couple of exchanges of possession later the Eagles began again on their own 45. LaRoda and the offense drove down inside the Cheetahs five-yard line, and when LaRoad ran the ball home the Eagles lead for the first time with a little over two minutes left on the clock.
On what would turn out to be the Cheetahs’ final drive Andy Larwill sacked the Herts QB on second and seven, and when Chris Parr intercepted the ball on fourth and four with a minute to play the offense just had to kneel out the clock to seal a vital divisional win.
Final score: Eagles 14 Cheetahs 12.
Our next game is on Sunday 26th April, away to the Birmingham Bulls.
Thank you to our friends at 2G Creative for the photo.
The club are very excited to reveal the new 2015 merchandise via our Football America Team Store.
Created by the club with assistance from our friends at 2G Creative there are eight new t-shirts designs available in black, white or grey, priced at £14 each.
There are nine newly designed hoodies available in black or grey which start at £20 each, including our new “Baller” and “Maller” logos shown below:
You can check out the full range by clicking here and visiting the Team Store.
The Eagles’ first home game of the 2015 season takes place tomorrow, Sunday 12th April, in a tough-looking divisional game against the Hertfordshire Cheetahs.
Click here for more information on the match-up, or here for everything you need to know if you are travelling to the game.
If you are travelling to Bedford International Athletics Stadium for the game on Sunday the address you will need for your Sat Nav is:
Bedford International Athletic Stadium
Barkers Lane
Bedford
MK41 9SB
Telephone: (01234) 351115
Alternatively you can get directions by entering the relevant information in the map below.
Admission for the game is £2 each for adults for which you receive a free programme, or free for under-18s.
After the game the bar will be open upstairs, and hot and cold food will be available for a small charge.
If you are unable to make it BIAS we will be providing live, play-by-play coverage via our Twitter channel from midday.
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The Eagles’ first home game of the 2015 season takes place this Sunday (12th April) in another, tough-looking divisional game against the rebranded Hertfordshire Cheetahs.
The Cheetahs beat the Eagles 19-0 in our inaugural game on the opening day of last season at Hertfordshire University on the way to posting a perfect 10-0 regular season record, and after losing out in the play-offs to a strong Edinburgh Wolves side head into the new campaign on the back of what appears to have been a very successful off-season.
They have added additional players and coaches to an already large squad, and recently celebrated the honour of having Offensive Lineman Stuart Butcher selected to represent Great Britain Students against Finland, in which the Lions ran out 40-0 victors.
The Eagles edged past the Cambridgeshire Cats in the opening game of the season last weekend, and will be looking to come back with a better performance in front of a home crowd this week.
Linebacker Byron Chowles misses the game following breaking his ankle during the victory against the Cats, but Head Coach Will White has no other new injury concerns.
Will we see the Cheetahs start 2015 the same they did 2014, or will see the Eagles emerge as an early season force in the division? Join us at Bedford International Athletics Stadium on Sunday from midday to find out!
Admission for Sunday’s game is £2 each for adults for which you receive a free programme, or free for under-18s.
In this week’s programme we have a word with Chairman Neale McMaster, Head Coach Will White shares his thoughts and we also hear from Gameday Manager Paul Smyth.
We also have interviews with QB Enrique Alonso and rookie CB Mark Lusted, the latest on the Youth Team and a Spectator’s Guide.
Cambridgeshire Cats 0 Ouse Valley Eagles 7
The Eagles edged out divisional rivals the Cambridgeshire Cats in a tense and nervy affair at Coldhams Common yesterday afternoon.
A single touchdown pass from Enrique Alonso to former Cats player Nate Ashby late in the fourth quarter was the difference between the two sides, as both offenses struggled to pick up any meaningful momentum.
The Eagles won the toss and opted to receive the ball, which Chris Parr returned to the Eagles 44-yard line.
Following a two-yard run, five-yard penalty for a false start, a strong seven-yard run from Zak Henry and an incomplete pass, the Eagles went for it on fourth down but another incomplete pass resulted in a turnover on downs.
The Cats’ first possession resulted in a three-and-out following a sack from Defensive Tackle Andy Larwill. The punt was returned to the Eagles 47-yard line, and that set the tone for the rest of the first half, as both sides took it in turns trading possessions at around halfway.
Half time score: Cats 0 Eagles 0.
It was much the sae story throughout the third quarter. The Cats came closest to breaking the deadlock with a field goal that fell short of the mark, and as the game entered the fourth quarter the game still hung in the balance.
Eagles Linebacker Byron Chowles was taken to hospital treatment for a nasty-looking ankle injury which was later revealed to be a break in three places that requires surgery, and keep him out of action for the rest of the 2015 campaign.
As the game restarted the teams again took in turn exchanging possessions, but after a monstrous sack by rookie Brad Beveridge and a fumble recovered by the defense the Eagles took over deep in Cats territory.
Alonso connected with Ashby from 18-yards out to finally break the deadlock, and following a successful extra point the Eagles lead 7-0 with a little over three minutes to play.
The Cats were unable to move the ball on their final possession, and once the Eagles took over at around halfway with 55 seconds to play, saw out the clock to clinch a hard fought victory.
Final score: Cats 0 Eagles 7.
Attention now turns to the first home game of the season, next Sunday (12th April) against Hertfordshire Cheetahs.
Kick off is midday at Bedford International Athletics Stadium on Barkers Lane (MK41 8SB), with admission £2 each for adults or free for under-18s.
Eagles players and officials took a break from preparing for the new season by delivering Easter Eggs to children and Bedford and Milton Keynes Hospitals this week.
We chatted to staff, parents and children on the Riverbank Ward in Bedford on Wednesday (1st April) and The Children’s Ward, Children’s A&E and the Neonatal Unit in Milton Keynes on Good Friday (3rd April) whilst handing out the eggs, which had been donated by the club.
Speaking afterwards, Club Chairman Neale McMaster said:
We are very happy to continue the traditional of donating Easter Eggs to our local hospitals again this year.
It’s never nice for children to need to spend time in hospital at any time of year let alone during a holiday, but it’s pleasing to hear that the club’s visit had given them a bit of a boost.
The Eagles kick off the 2015 season tomorrow on Easter Sunday (5th April) away to divisional rivals the Cambridgeshire Cats. Kick-off at Coldhams Common is 2.30pm.
The first home game of the season at Bedford International Athletics Stadium on Barkers Lane, Bedford takes place a week later on Sunday 12th April against Hertfordshire Cheetahs, kicking off at 12pm.
The Eagles are proud to officially unveil our new uniform, which has been manufactured by DNA Sports.
The top of the range DNA Elite jerseys combine a stretch matte cowl body with stretch matte mesh panels to provide the ultimate fit and comfort for our players. The linemen-cut jerseys all have a 1” Lycra sleeve end with elastic to ensure a good fit over the arms.
Our customised DNA Elite game pants come as an all-in-one manufacture process to incorporate the best materials into the game pant. Thigh and knee pad pockets set on with zig-zag construction are designed to hold all soft pads firmly in place.
The game pants come with a five panel construction with “no lace” full duke crotch, super stretch seams and internal belt slots to provide a superior fit and feel.
Commenting on the new uniform, Chairman Neale McMaster said that he was delighted to finally be able to show off the new look:
“This marks the start of what will hopefully be a long term relationship with DNA Sports,” he said.
“We have created is a unique uniform that is one-of-a-kind in the UK, and we’re extremely proud of that.
“What we are trying to achieve is a brand that is unique, looks good, and ultimately provides uniforms and merchandise that the members of our club want to wear.”
“I’d like to thank both DNA and Will White for providing not only a top quality product, but also for providing excellent customer service. This is definitely a partnership that will continue to grow along with our brand, developing new ideas and keeping us at the front of uniform designs in the UK and Europe.”
The players will be in action wearing the new kit this Sunday (5th April) as we kick off the 2015 season away to divisional rivals the Cambridgeshire Cats. Kick-off at Coldhams Common is 2.30pm.
The first home game of the season is a week later on Sunday 12th April in another divisional game, against the newly rebranded Hertfordshire Cheetahs (12pm kick off).
