womens Britball

When you make an assumption you etc ... we thought when the Iceni Spears return near Cambridge 18 November they'd be meeting the London teams from earlier this month but no they'll be playing the Coventry Panthers, Coventry Cougars and Nottingham Uni.

That's nice, the London Amazons have bought us a trio of coffees.  They'll be back competing near Cambridge 18th of next month, a Saturday this time.

When rugby ended at Shelford near Cambridge Sunday the staff locked up the pavilion and departed leaving three women's flag american football teams without water and more importantly toilets prompting drives to a garden centre for the facility.  Hopefully won't happen when Iceni Spears, Sacks in the City and London Amazons are back there next month.

In Ireland yesterday a different result for GB women versus Spain. 

Yesterday's Norwich Devils 33-38 Kent Exiles was a game of interceptions and breakaways.  Thankfully we think the medics only came on once and we liked the Exile coaches Hawaiian shirt theme.  Spectating Peterborough Royal Benita Grant told us the Royals' promotion to 9 a side had not been easy; kickers to be found, the larger field plus the time and resources to train a special teams.

Safeties were being very popular at Saturday's three team tournament in Thorpe St Andrew with five being scored in the first two games.  A scorcher had been forecast but a gentle breeze made the day manageable.  Despite losing a player early on to a serious ankle injury (speedy recovery) the Norwich Devils won both their games.  The Herts Cheetahs may have come out two games down but we really liked their dress theme of animal print.

Tribal knowledge that women are collaborative and perhaps women who play team sports even more so.  We were still impressed yesterday at the Norwich Devils Women Rookies when a vet metaphorically beat up a rookie on the line then explained what she had done and what the rookie should do to stop it.  Perhaps the nicest day of the year so far and made more rounded by an energetic ball chasing young spaniel and a baby in a buggy.  Devils' first home game this year 10 June against new opponents Hertfordshire Cheetahs.

Very pleasing that Iceni Spears women's flag football in Norwich have a sponsor for this year and a good cause too.

Britain's women whitewashed Sweden's 40-00 today in Worcester.

Six players at the Iceni Spears yesterday for flag football training in Thorpe St Andrew .  A minimum flag team is just five as so amply proved by the Hyde Park Renegades back before the virus.  Impressed to see passers getting spin on the ball and coach Jamie Fowle told us the Opal Series will be running this autumn so there will be competition ... can't wait.

Perhaps fortuitously with International Women's Day on Monday the NFL has appointed their second woman official and the first African-American woman official Maia Chaka.

Last year Sarah Thomas became the first woman to officiate a Super Bowl playoff game.  She managed the measuring chain and down marker the NFL having renamed the role from Head Linesman to the gender independent Down Judge ... she's doing it again tomorrow fortnight at this year's Super Bowl.

In East Anglia we're lucky to benefit from ref Alisha Darkins who does not lack attitude when disorder breaks out ... Get off my field!.