Essex Blades - News

Blades @ Redhawks

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 12:25:14 GMT

The match report from yesterdays game can now be found at the Essex Blades AFC Blog >> Essex Blades AFC Blog

Blades Vs Stingers

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 09:06:42 GMT

The match report for yesterdays game is now available at the Essex Blades AFC Blog >> Essex Blades AFC Blog

Blades @ Phantoms

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 04:20:22 GMT

The matcb report for yesterdays match can now be found at the Essex Blades AFC Blog >> Essex Blades AFC Blog

Blades Vs Pirates

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 10:15:48 GMT

The match report for yesterdays match can now be found at the Essex Blades AFC Blog >> Essex Blades AFC Blog

Blades @ Pirates

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:12:59 GMT

The match report from yesterdays game can now be found at the Essex Blades AFC blog >> Essex Blades AFC Blog

Blades Vs Chargers

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:53:53 GMT

The match report from yesterdays game can now be found at the Essex Blades AFC Blog >> Essex Blades AFC Blog

Blades Vs Hurricanes

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:34:56 GMT

Well its that time of year again; when all the summer talking stops and we start to get an idea of who has recruited well and who is going to be in for a long season. The Essex Blades opened the season in front of a bumper crowd on their home field against the ever impressive Hertfordshire Hurricanes; both teams wanting to put the past months training into action and to start the season with a win.

The game started very evenly, with both defences stopping the opposition relatively quickly; a pattern which continued for most of the 1st quarter until the Blades were pinned within their own 5 yard line thanks to some accurate Hertfordshire punting. On the second attempt to get out of the single yardage zone, the Blades running back was brought down in the endzone by a Hurricanes linebacker who broke through the line to record the 1st points of the season; 2-0. This gave the Hurricanes a boost, which helped them to drive the field on their next offensive series for the score courtesy of their powerful yet fast backs and able receivers; 9-0. The 2nd quarter continued in much the same fashion with both offenses finding their feet and becoming more and more confident. However, it was to remain a tight defensive battle with just the one score before the half. Now in the lead, the Hertfordshire offense really started to pick up the pace and test the hard working Blades defence until mid-quarter when another impressive drive was capped with a score. The kicker slotted the extra point through the posts to send the Blades in at the half down 16-0.

Essex started the 2nd half with the ball, and after a good return, the offense took to the field and seemed to have the upper edge on their opponents for a while as they drove most of the field behind some powerful running by fullback John Hunt. Unfortunately this progress was halted just short of field goal range and the resulting 4th down conversion attempt was stopped. Determined to make up for their defences slow start to the half, the Hertfordshire offense took to the field and wasted no time in stamping their authority on the game with the running back breaking through the line for a 40 yard score on the 1st play from scrimmage; 21-0 (XP Missed). The Blades offense continued to improve as the game went on and had a strong second half in terms of moving the ball but they were unable to find that final, killer touch to break open the Hurricanes defence for the score. The game ended with Hertfordshire, keeping with consistency, and driving 40 yards following an interception to record their fourth offensive score in as many quarters (XP Blocked) to open their season with an away win of 28-0.

The Hurricanes will take this win and look to build on it on Sunday when they host the UEA pirates. Essex will now be looking to build on the many encouraging signs that they showed against the Hurricanes whilst also looking to smooth out any wrinkles before hosting the Greenwich Mariners this Sunday. This will be Greenwichs season opener so the Blades will hoping to take advantage of the game that they already have under their belt to capitalise on any rustiness shown by the Mariners.

New Team Sponsor

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 07:40:59 GMT

The Essex Blades are proud to announce a partnership with sportswear company EP Sports. Founded in 2007, EP Sports specialise in providing high quality equipment and sportswear that aims at optimising atheletes performance. Drawing on their own experience within the American Football community, they stock a wide range of American Football equipment that the Blades plan the to take full advantage of as part of their plans to grow and improve as an American Footbal club. The EP Sports product range can be found at the following address: www.epsports.co.uk

A new season looms

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 07:44:47 GMT

The Essex Blades are looking forward to a good season in 2009/10. Great progress was made in 2009 with the team winning their final 4 games including a victory over the reigning BUAFL champions; the Southampton Stags. A new intake of rookies will take to the field along with some very experianced players. Head Coach Neil O'Hare will be taking control of the team for his 5th year with the help of Matt Roberts, Tarquin Stephenson and Karl Bourke in coaching positions.

The new website

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 07:46:49 GMT

With a new season comes a new website. We would like to welcome you all to the new website of the Essex Blades and hope that you enjoy the new design and functions available to you.

Website by Jonathon Joyce and Michael & David Walton