2015 AGM Minutes

16 Nov

The 2015 Club Annual General Meeting took place yesterday (Sunday 15th November) at Bedford International Athletics Stadium (BIAS).

The meeting covered a review of the club’s financial position for 2015, a review of the club’s performance on and off the field during the year, an exciting announcement regarding the future of Youth and Flag football in the region, a walk through of the results of the Annual Survey and a discussion around the us of team buses to away games in the future.

Also covered were proposed changes to the Club Constitution and the all-important election of a new committee for the 2016 season which saw the following people appointed:

– Vice Chairman: Mark Chilton
– Treasurer: Nick Chapman
– Gameday Manager: Paul Smyth
– Secretary: Jenny Chilton
– Ordinary Member: Michael Dilley
– Ordinary Member: Jack Judge
– Ordinary Member: Gareth Pullen

To download the the public version of the AGM presentation please click on the link: 2015-AGM-v1.4-Public.pptx

Judge v White: The Results

29 Sep

In our second Head to Head of the season Head Coach Will White took on Tight End Jack Judge. Here’s how they got on…

Redskins 21 Giants 32 (Thursday Night Football)

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: Jack backed the Giants to turn around their poor start to the season and it looks as though that may be what they’re about to do in a ridiculously bad-looking NFC East. 1-0.
Will WhiteWHITE: Coach couldn’t bring himself to go for the Giants and that stubbornness means he’s off to the worst possible start. 0-1.

Bengals 28 Ravens 24

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: The Ravens have dropped a long way in the last couple of years but Jack couldn’t see him losing this divisional game. He was wrong. 1-1.

Will WhiteWHITE: The HC is back in the game. He said the Bengals and Andy Dalton would prove too much for this Ravens defense, and we’re back to level pegging. 1-1.

Saints 22 Panthers 27

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: Following an extremely scientific approach of “I like the Panthers kit so…Panthers win”, Jack moves to 2-1. We’re not sure if he even knows who Drew Brees is, but we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt for now.

Will WhiteWHITE: He thought the Panthers would win this one by ten, but the Saints pushed them to the wire. In any event, Coach is also up to 2-1.

Raiders 27 Browns 20

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: He picked the Browns in part because he loves seeing Nellie’s team lose (they didn’t) and watching Manziel play (he didn’t). There’s consistency in there somewhere. 2-2.
Will WhiteWHITE: Coach White is one of a very people old enough to remember a Raiders winning streak, so it should be no surprise that he successfully called this one – and that Amari Cooper would shine. 3-1.
Falcons 39 Cowboys 28

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: With the Cowboys missing some big players on offense Atlanta came into this one as favourites, so Jack backed a winner to take himself up to 3-2.

Will WhiteWHITE: Like Mr Judge, Will went with the Falcons saying Julio Jones would be the difference maker. 164 yards and 2 touchdowns later, it’s hard to argue. 4-1.

Buccaneers 9 Texans 19

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: Picking your winner in some part based on them having a very cool season of Hard Knocks could be questioned by some, but that Texans D against that Buccaneers O certainly couldn’t. 4-2.
Will WhiteWHITE: Will’s on a roll with his fifth correct pick on the bounce. 5-1.

Chargers 14 Vikings 31

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: Following 126 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns it looks like Adrian Peterson is back. Both our guys called it right, and it takes Judge to 5-2.

Will WhiteWHITE: Nobody quite expected this to be as one-sided as it was, but it’s six correct predictions in a row for Coach White although Jack’s hanging in there. 6-1.

Jaguars 17 Patriots 51

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: Nobody gets a prize for correctly predicting the Patriots would walk it against the Jags, and it’s no shock that JJ did exactly that. 6-2.

Will WhiteWHITE: Only the most optimistic Jacksonville would have gone for anything other than a Patiots win by a landslide. Will’s a Patriots fan (for shame) so that was never going to happen. The streak continues. 7-1.
Eagles 24 Jets 17

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: He picked the Eagles because they were called the Eagles, and we’re the Eagles. Lot of Eagles in that sentence. Big W for JJ, who is still only one game behind. 7-2.

Will WhiteWHITE: Or is he? The streak is finally over, and we’re all square at 7-2 just inside the second half. Is the tide turning against the man from ‘Bama? 7-2.

Steelers 12 Rams 6

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: It was the lowest scoring game of the weekend in the NFL, and although the Steelers picked up the win (as correctly predicted by Mr Judge) they may have lost the war with Big Ben getting injured. That’ll be for another time though, JJ’s at 8-2 and guaranteed finishing at least 0.500.
Will WhiteWHITE: Coach White also went with Pittsburgh, also moves to 8-2 and also guarantees himself at least a 0.500 finish. Both guys have outscored Week One’s contestants.
Colts 35 Titans 33

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: Mariota at home wasn’t enough for the Jack-backed Titans, who lost a close one. He falls to 8-3.

Will WhiteWHITE: He thought it’d be a blow-out, going with the Colts by three scores. It certainly wasn’t that, but the Colts managed to dig out the win. 9-2.

49ers 7 Cardinals 47

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: Oh this is awkward. Did anyone really think the Cardinals wouldn’t win this one? I’m sure if JJ had his time again he wouldn’t pick the 9ers, would you JJ? 8-4.

Will WhiteWHITE: In our “what the hell were you thinking” moment of the week, Coach White said the 49ers would win this one by 14. We’ll leave you with that one for a minute. 9-3.
Bills 41 Dolphins 14

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: “I’m a Buffalo fan so I have to back my Bills in this battle of London-bound teams. Bills win”, said JJ. Bet he didn’t think it’d be this easy though? 9-4.

Will WhiteWHITE: “The Bills will get back on the winning track and I can see QB Taylor having a breakout game. Bills win”, said Coach White. Again, who thought it would be this easy as the Dolphins limp (can Dolphins limp?) to London. 10-3.
Bears 0 Seahawks 26

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: The Bears are doing their best to secure the #1 pick nice and early this year, and with showings like this they might just get it wrapped up. JJ said Seahwawks win, of course it was a Seahawks win. 10-4.

Will WhiteWHITE: “The Seahawks get Chancellor back, the defense steps up another level and the Bears get blown out.” That just about sums it up. Great practice for the Bears punter though. 11-3.
Broncos 24 Lions 12

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: With both guys going with the Packers in Monday Night Football it all came down to this. JJ stuck his neck out and said the Lions would win. Oops. 10-5.

Will WhiteWHITE: The old head knows never to count Peyton Manning out and bags himself the win by backing the Broncos on the road. 12-3. Game over.

Chiefs 28 Packers 38

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: Almost seems irrelevant now but JJ went with the Packers and gets it right in a game that was a lot better than probably should have been. He finishes with a respectable 11-5, despite openly admitting that he knows absolutely nothing about American Football.
Will WhiteWHITE: Coach puts the icing on the cake by correctly calling MNF, but was it ever really going to be anything other than a Green Bay win? Victory and 13-3.

So there we have it Coach White takes Week 2 with a score of 13-3 to Jack Judge’s 11-5. The Coaches and Staff lead after two rounds 19-13 to 17-15, and it’s all to play for between the Players and the Staff next week where Offensive Lineman Danny Cousins takes on Vice Chairman Mark Chilton.

Did any of this week’s results in the NFL surprise you? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment in the box below, by posting on our Facebook page, or by sending us a Tweet.

Head to Head: Judge v White

24 Sep

If there’s one thing sure to split opinion quickly it’s the age-old battle of who knows more about the NFL, the players or the staff?

To try and resolve the issue once and for all players take on coaches and backroom staff one on one to try and decide once and for all who really knows their stuff.

The concept is pretty simple: each week one Eagles player and one staff member will go head to head predicting the outcome of the weekend’s NFL games, and by the end of the season the true power houses will emerge.

Last week, Wide Receiver Chris Cowley took on Club Chairman and Offensive Coordinator Neale McMaster. It was a close battle throughout the weekend and both eventually finished 6-10, so it’s all to play for this week.

Next up we have Tight End Jack Judge going up against Head Coach Will White. You can let us know what you think of their predictions by leaving a comment in the box below, by posting on our Facebook page, or by sending us a Tweet. Be sure to check back to Tuesday to see how they got on:

Redskins @ Giants (Thursday Night Football – Sky Sports 1 HD, Friday 01:25)

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: Giants to turn around a poor start to the season and edge this one out by a score. Giants win.

Will WhiteWHITE: Redskins by two touchdowns as I hate the Giants being a Patiots fan! Redskins win.

Bengals @ Ravens

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: Bengals coming off the back of a win and I can’t see it happening again. Ravens win.

Will WhiteWHITE: The Ravens defense is struggling and the Bengals will prove too much and pull one out. Bengals win

Saints @ Panthers (Sky Sports 2 HD, Sunday 17:30)

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: I like the Panthers’ kit so… Panthers win.


Will WhiteWHITE: The Panthers will win this one by ten as the Saints D is hurting. Panthers win.

Raiders @ Browns

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: Not only do I love to see Nellie’s team lose I also love to watch Mr Manziel play. Browns win.

Will WhiteWHITE: Toss up but I pick the Raiders by a TD – Amari Cooper a ‘Bama boy to have a great game. Raiders win.

Falcons @ Cowboys

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: I have a small soft spot for the Falcons and with some big players missing for the Cowboys I’ll have to back a win for the visitors. Falcons win.

Will WhiteWHITE: Falcons by a touchdown. Julio Jones is the man and the Cowgirls suck. Falcons win.

Buccaneers @ Texans

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: The Texans provided a great Hard Knocks this season and I think defensively they will be able to pull this one off. Texans win.

Will WhiteWHITE: The Texans defense will finally come alive and the offense will pick up some steam to get their first win. Texans win.

Chargers @ Vikings

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: I’m backing AP to have a blinder this game. Vikings win.


Will WhiteWHITE: AP has a great game as they eek one out and beat the Chargers. Vikings win.


Jaguars @ Patriots

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: I get compared to Gronk daily and in all honesty I think he needs to put in some work to catch up to me, but I have to back the big TE and the Pats. Patriots win

Will WhiteWHITE: Brady and Gronk keep up their hot streak and burn the Jags. Patriots win.


Eagles @ Jets

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: If I didn’t back the Eagles that would be like backing the Cheetahs. Eagles win.


Will WhiteWHITE: Jets on a roll and the Eagles offense has left the building with Bradford at the helm. Jets win.

Steelers @ Rams

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: Steelers coming off the back of a demolition of the 49ers. Steelers win.


Will WhiteWHITE: Steelers stay hot and beat the Rams. Steelers win.


Colts @ Titans

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: The Titans are at home and I think Mariota will be back to what we saw in week one. Titans win.

Will WhiteWHITE: Colts by three touchdowns, Luck will get his mojo back and bury the Titans. Colts win.

49ers @ Cardinals

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: The 49ers have been all over the place so far but I think they’ll bounce back with a win. 49ers win.

Will WhiteWHITE: The 49ers will go to work and beat the Cards by 14. 49ers win.


Bills @ Dolphins (Sky Sports 2 HD, Sunday 21:15)

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: I’m a Buffalo fan so I have to back my Bills in this battle of London-bound teams. Bills win.

Will WhiteWHITE: The Bills will get back on the winning track and I can see QB Taylor having a breakout game. Bills win.

Bears @ Seahawks

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: The Seahawks are having an absolute western this season but I can see them turning the year around. Seahawks win.


Will WhiteWHITE: The Seahawks get Chancellor back, the defense steps up another level and the Bears get blown out. Seahawks win.

Broncos @ Lions (Sky Sports 2 HD, Monday 00:30)

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: This one I think could go either way but I’m going to back the home team. Lions win.


Will WhiteWHITE: I think Manning will get his touch back and smoke the Lions. Broncos win.


Chiefs @ Packers (Sky Sports 1 HD, Tuesday 01:30)

Jack Judge 2JUDGE: Eeny Meeny Miny Mo. Packers win.


Will WhiteWHITE: Rodgers keeps his hot hand and the Packers pull one out on the Chiefs. Packers win.


Summary

Match Judge White
Giants @ Redskins (TNF) Giants Redskins
Bengals @ Ravens Ravens Bengals
Saints @ Panthers Panthers Panthers
Raiders @ Browns Browns Raiders
Falcons @ Cowboys Falcons Falcons
Buccaneers @ Texans Texans Texans
Chargers @ Vikings Vikings Vikings
Jaguars @ Patriots Patriots Patriots
Eagles @ Jets Eagles Jets
Steelers @ Rams Steelers Steelers
Colts @ Titans Titans Colts
49ers @ Cardinals 49ers 49ers
Bills @ Dolphins Bills Bills
Bears @ Seahawks Seahawks Seahawks
Broncos @ Lions (SNF) Broncos Lions
Chiefs @ Packers (MNF) Packers Packers

Colchester stun Eagles

20 May

The Ouse Valley Eagles travelled to Colchester on Sunday for their first Inter Conference fixture of their American Football National League Division 1 campaign.  A disappointingly lacklustre performance saw the Eagles fall to their first defeat of the season and the Gladiators record their first victory.

It could scarcely have started better for the Eagles as free safety Kevin Kong intercepted opposing Quarterback Curtis Bourke’s first pass of the game on the second play from scrimmage.  Kong returned the ball 25 yards into the corner of the end zone for the opening score, with Ross Hubbard converting the PAT.  An uneventful first 15 minutes was played out with Ouse Valley leading by 7-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Colchester played their way back into the game during the second quarter and deservedly levelled when Bourke kept the ball on a triple-option play and swept into the Eagles’ endzone on a first and goal.  The half-time score was tied at 7 points apiece.

The Eagles have been a second-half team so far this season securing all three of their wins in the last two minutes of each game.  An improvement in performance was required in the second half.  Matters did not improve immediately for the Eagles with Colchester taking the lead with a second touchdown from Bourke in the 3rd quarter.  The Gladiators extended their advantage with a short run following a turnover in Eagles territory.  A lead they would not relinquish.

The Eagles did find some momentum in the fourth quarter and a sustained drive saw Quarterback Justin Laroda find returning Tight End Jack Judge for a well-timed eight yard touchdown pass.  The Eagles had the ball again as the clock was running down towards the end of the game.  The Gladiator’s defence held strong though and time expired with Ouse Valley driving.  The final score was 21-14 in favour of the home side.

Few Ouse Valley players can, in all honesty, be pleased with their performance and overall the Eagles did not match the standards set in earlier matches.  They fall to 3 wins and 1 loss but retain top spot in the table based on fewest points conceded by teams with the same percentage record.  The division promises to be a close run affair for the rest of the season as, with Ouse Valley and Farnham both losing this weekend, after four games there are no undefeated sides left.

Ouse Valley now has two weeks to prepare for two Inter Conference home fixtures back-to-back.  Farnham Knights are next up in a top-of-the-table clash on 7 June with East Kent Mavericks visiting the following Sunday.  An improvement in execution and effort will be both expected and needed against strong and experienced opposition.  We look forward to seeing you all at Bedford International Athletics Stadium for these match-ups.  Both kick-off at 12:00 Noon and the admission is £2.00 for adults.