20/08/2026
This weekend saw our OFL teams back in action in Wellingborough. Jags Gold had a short but busy day with three tight back-to-back games.
Honey Badgers offered a close game, with the defense bringing in some key shut outs and both offensives scoring in big moments. There was a blast from the past on defense as Safety Sam Cooke retured from a year long injury to lead the team in tackles in the game and picked off the ball twice, whilst Gorg returned to their previous position, blitzing again, with a few big break-ups. Gold's three-headed monster, Adam, Darius and Francois, brought the offense alive as well. The tight game eneded an all too familiar one score loss for Gold this season.
Next up, Gold were up against the Saints and came into the match fired up for a physical battle. Defense had a powerful game, allowing only one score on a freak catch, with V and Tyler leading in tackles, V having two interceptions including one yoinked from the tips of the opposition's fingers, and Francois debuting on D this season to pick off the ball on his first snap. Offense dominated too, with three receiving TDs from Mac (including a wild sequence where he showed off those hips), and three more added between Darius and Francois. (Rumour has it that a certain defensive player not usually allowed to play O dropped a definite TD which Adam couldn't have thrown any better).
Wrapping up the day against the Raiders, Gold were aiming for their second win of the day, in a tight fight of a game. Jags grit and determination kept them in it and the game was tied at the half. The three-headed monster struck again, with Adam linking with Francois for a TD and 3 XPs, and Darius for 2 TDs and and XP, whilst Darius also returned a throw off for an extra rushing TD. Defense locked down the run with huge tackle stats for V, Paulos and Gorg, but let the game creep away at the end, with two late scores to serve Jags Gold the second tight game loss of the day.
-
Teal had themselves a full day, with three games spread across "six" hours.
Starting the day against title contenders and reigning champs Rugby Raccoons, Teal came out swinging with an immediate throw off return by rookie Logan. However, the offence couldn't get a second score on the board, despite the efforts of Rich and Jake, leading the team's attack and playing across both sides. The defense struggled to contain the dynamic Raccoons O, but with the pressure created by rookie blitzer, Alexandros, and the team cohesion despite missing a few key players, spirits stayed high.
Next up, another local derby with Leicester Huntsmen, a familiar foe to many Teal players from the BAFA season, and a team with many close ties with Jags, making this one quite the exciting tense match. Offense got going quickly, and Richard spread the ball for receptions by Jake, Carty and Tasker, and even Jake throwing a touchdown to Logan in the second half. Defense locked in for a fantastic team performances, spreading tackles across our seven dbs, with the mighty Sophie batting down two big PBUs, both Richard and Shaun picking off the ball for an interception a piece, and Alexandros coming in clutch with a second half safety. Despite leading in the first half, a late sliding catch by the Huntsmen (scored by a Jags Youth player), left Jags 3 points behind and unable to get the ball back, leaving Jags with a tight, heart breaking loss.
Fired up after the previous performance, Jags came back ready to take on the Hellingly Hound Dogs. Despite being short-staffed, the Hound Dogs put up a fight defensively, challenging our offense, who still scored four TDs, with Logan, Kris and Jake Cartwright, and Tasker (scoring his tenth this season), alongside two XPs from Tasker. Defense had a huge game again, forcing the Hound Dogs to have to rush to get any scores, and bringing back three interceptions from Rich, Jake and Kirk, and another keysack from Alexandros. A strong stand to finish the game led to Teal getting a well-deserved and long-overdue first win of the season. Shoutout again to the short-handed Hound Dogs for a spirited performance.
-
MVPs:
Jake "JagerRom" Cartwright found himself making a consistent impact on both sides of the ball for Teal, and secured Offensive MVP not only catching TDs, but throwing them too (shades of Beach Bowl 2024).
Teal Defensive MVP goes to our very own Greek god Alexandros, who put a real characteristic shift in on Defence not only grabbing a couple of sacks and a safety, but impressively leading the D in tackles from the Blitzer position, never giving up on a play and chasing anyone he lays eyes on.
Those damn Lithuanians are at it again. Darius continues his growth in the world of Flag, hauling in 6 TDs through the air and an additional 2 on the ground (Though the real achievement is a personal best 0 illegal contact penalties during his drive at Blitzer).
V was as reliable as ever, leading Gold in tackles while also grabbing a pair of redzone interceptions, including a impressive moment wrestling the ball away from someone twice her size to save a TD.
Jags return to OFL action next month for the final regular season gameday.
