Wednesday, September 28, 2011

BritBowl 2011, Crystal Palace

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London Blitz Players celebrate their win
  This weekend saw the end of the British American football league season, the best teams in the respective divisions all headed for the nations capital to fight out for their respective national championships.  The top of the bill saw the London Blitz take on the London Warriors* (not the South Wales Warriors who would later win the Div 2 championship).

The finals have moved around the country over the last 6 years, but having the finals in London this year certainly seems to have paid off.  I've bee for the last five years and I believe the numbers for this year where at least double the norm.

To add to the drama Vernon Kay of TV fame (family fortunes, etc) played for the Warriors as safety.  One of the funniest moments happened when Vernon was flagged for a late hit and the quick thinking commentator played the sound bit used on family fortunes for a wrong answer making the crowd roar with laughter. 
Vernon Kay collects his losers medal


 The game finished 18-0 to the Blitz and was an excellent advert for the game for any neutral who made the effort. The Warriors never seemed to be able to get their offence moving and were punished by the hard hitting Blitz defence for every mistake. 

Whilst Crystal Palace is no where near what a great stadium should be it was adequate and hopefully the powers in charge will keep the finals in London.   



*The London Warriors were previously know as the London Cobras but after threatening legal action were allowed to take the name warriors, meaning there are now two warrior teams in the senior league.