UEA Pirates

A scoreless first half yesterday highlighting clearly first game of the season as both teams struggled to gel, finally Kent Falcons 14-08 UEA Pirates.  Third quarter the Falcons had a td called back for lineman blocking down field and then a fourth quarter pic six awarded but after a lengthy ref discussion reportedly about where the receiver's forefinger was pointing (taunting?).  In reply the Pirates converted for two on a td and impressively recovered an onside kick.  At the Pirates' rookies day there were four wannabe quarter backs, pity there wasn't a wannabe place kicker ... some field goals would have benefitted both teams.

UEA Pirates Rookies Day in Norwich Saturday marks for us the start of the UK college gridiron season.

Channeling our inner Poirot we eventually found the UEA Pirates fixtures this winter in BUCS.  Their first game is at home in Norwich to the Kent Falcons.

We're easily confused but there seems to be two Bournemouth Bobcats.  One played the Norwich Devils last summer and the other met the Pirates in Norwich yesterday.  The Bobcats' first snap went over the QB's head but they progressed the game to win 15-00.  Despite the loss the Pirates seemed suitably satisfied with their participation and we particularly enjoyed a Pirates running back taking to the air on fourth and short.  There was a long delay in Q4 when a Bobcat was ambulanced to hospital, our best wishes to him.  At the game end the medics went off to assist the women's' soccer next door.

That's a pity, today's Pirates v Essex Blades at Essex University Colchester was called off before play because of a waterlogged pitch, indeed some bits were very soggy.  The Pirates will have their first playoff game the weekend after next at home and very probably with a later than usual kickoff.

Yesterday on the fourth of the Pirates' first four downs they incurred an unlikely kicking penalty and lost possession ... it regrettably set the tone for an 18-0 loss to visitors the Kent Falcons.  This coming Sunday the Pirates play Essex Blades in Colchester, we are modestly optimistic.

A comfortable 46-14 win Sunday for the Pirates against visiting Queen Mary College London Vipers.  Little place kicking perhaps because of storm Isha's winds which also blew soccer balls from next door onto the field which were accepted with a good grace.  Though medic Lizi Williams didn't visit the field during the first half regrettably during the second a Pirate was motored to hospital with a leg injury later reported as not a fracture, our best wishes.  More pleasantly ref Larry Rigby does have a broken leg (see below) but he is driving again and should be back reffing early summer.  The Pirates play QMCL again this Sunday but away.

Although there wasn't the promised thunder storm yesterday in Norwich it was wet enough to disintegrate paper notes and lists.  The Pirates 26-00 loss to Birmingham Lions to start the season wasn't helped by rooky inexperience.  It's a steep learning for newbie players but the good news is it's also a quick learning curve and the Pirates will get better.  Pix on that there Facepack.

Very windy for UEA Pirates 08-28 Birmingham Lions today the Pirates' last home game of the season.  More than enough injuries and as noted by the head coach afterwards the Pirates' game was not helped by indiscipline which we think included rookies not fully understanding the rules.  Pix on that there Facepack.

Seems unlikely but UEA in Norwich are offering american football scholarships, you need to apply before the end of the month.