Dada reaps reward of fine rookie season with Leicester Falcons

Star running back Timi Dada was the big winner as Leicester Falcons American football club celebrated their championship-winning season.

The rushing sensation took home four prizes from the club's presentation night, staged by sponsors Walkabout, including the team's Most Valuable Player award.

In a spectacular rookie senior season, Dada ran for more than 1,600 yards, including a hat-trick of touchdowns in the thrilling Division Two Championship game against Colchester Gladiators at Doncaster.

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Falcons land dramatic victory in play-offs

Leicester Falcons lifted the British American Football League Division Two title in the most dramatic of circumstances.

The Falcons, with running back Timi Dada outstanding, had carved out a 33-26 lead deep into the final quarter against the Colchester Gladiators at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium.......

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Leicester Falcons go for glory

Leicester Falcons are geared up for the biggest game in their brief history tonight.

The county outfit, who only joined the British American Football League two seasons ago, face Colchester Gladiators at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium in the BritBowl Division Two final......

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Drama as Leicester Falcons reach first final

Leicester Falcons reached their first British American Football League Division Two final amid near-unbearable tension at Leicester Forest RFC.

The Falcons, in only their second season in the league, edged the Glasgow Tigers 7-6 to set up a championship clash with Colchester Gladiators at Doncaster on September 26.

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Falcons flatten Titans

Leicester Falcons are just one win away from making the Britbowl Division Two final after a sensational victory in the opening round of this season's play-offs. In only their second campaign in the British American Football League, the Leicester side travelled to unbeaten Manchester Titans and posted a superb 39-15 win at Chorlton. That set up a semi-final clash tomorrow when they host Glasgow Tigers at Leicester Forest RFC, the winners going through to the national final.

Falcons were underdogs against Northern Conference champions Manchester, who had compiled a 10-0 record in the regular season. Although the home side twice led in the first half, Falcons hit back to run out comfortable winners with a dominant second-period showing. Manchester went 3-0 ahead with a first-quarter field goal but a 21-yard run from Timi Dada gave Falcons the lead for the first time. The Titans responded with a score of their own to regain the initiative but a short-yardage plunge from Andy Hill sent Leicester in at half-time with a slender 12-9 advantage.

Quarterback Arturo Sanchez connected with scoring passes to Chris Rodrigo and Ben Williams in the third quarter to put Leicester in command at 25-9. Manchester got back to 25-15 but, in the final quarter, the Falcons iced the game. Williams took a 25-yarder from Sanchez into the end zone before the Leicester passer displayed his threat on the ground as he ran the ball in from close range to complete the biggest win in the club's short history.

Glasgow saw off the challenge of Staffordshire Surge, who topped the Falcons' Central conference. The Scots won 12-0 which suggests the Falcons offence will have to be at their best to break down a tough defence.

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Underdog tag suits Leicester Falcons

Reaching the Division Two play-offs in only their second season in the British American Football League is a big achievement for Leicester Falcons. But, after compiling a record of seven wins and two defeats, with one match tied, in the tough Central Conference, the Falcons are not content to make up the numbers in post-season.

Tomorrow they face Manchester Titans who powered to the Northern Conference title with a 10-0 record. "We've had some hard games recently and we hope that will stand us in good stead for tomorrow," said Falcons general manager Guy Kersey. "The 20-20 tie we had against Shropshire Revolution was an incredible game and the match we played against them a fortnight ago was no different with the leading swapping hands all the time."

Falcons have developed a strong coaching staff, headed by Lester Hopewell, which has helped to attract good quality players. The acquisition of Mexican quarterback Arturo Sanchez, who scored the decisive touchdown in the win over Shropshire, has been vital.

"Traditionally we have had a run orientated offence," said Kersey. "But Arturo has helped develop an expansive passing game. So going into the play-offs we have a dual threat. The defence has been as good as ever. They have helped to keep us in every game, conceding fewer than 100 points."

Leicester will be underdogs. "We know they are unbeaten and it will be a challenge for us," said Kersey. "We are slight underdogs but that suits us."

The winners will face either Glasgow Tigers or Staffordshire Surge for a place in the Second Division final.

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Leicester Falcons clinch play-off spot Saturday, August 22, 2009

Leicester Falcons clinched their first play-off berth in the British American Football League with a thrilling four-point win over Division Two central conference rivals Shropshire Revolution at Telford.

The Falcons, in only their second BAFL season, won a tense encounter 18-14. The lead changed hands on five occasions, the winning touchdown coming with just 48 seconds remaining.

Leicester were prepared for a real battle – the first game between the sides this season had produced a 20-20 tie.

Falcons struck first when quarterback Arturo Sanchez connected with Ben Williams to give the visitors a 6-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

With leading rusher Timi Dada not starting because of fitness concerns, Falcons gave a chance to former Leicester Tigers hero Freddie Tuilagi but he was unable to help his side add to the score. With the Leicester defence holding Shropshire the Falcons held a slender 6-0 advantage at half-time.

That wasn't to last and Revolution scored on a passing play early in the third quarter, kicking the extra point to go 7-6 ahead. Leicester's response was to send Dada into the fray and his impact was immediate as he racked up a 45-yard run before hitting pay-dirt from nine yards. Though the two-point conversion failed the Falcons had nosed ahead 12-7.

Shropshire responded with a rushing score deep into the third quarter to regain the lead and time appeared to be running out on the visitors.

But, inside the final two minutes, Dada helped Leicester drive into the Revolution 20. On fourth and one, inside the five-yard line, Leicester gambled with Sanchez faking to Tuilagi before running into the corner on a bootleg to ice the game.

Leicester go to northern conference champions Manchester Titans next weekend to keep alive what is proving to be a memorable season.

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Gridiron: Falcons bid for play-offs Saturday, August 15, 2009

Leicester Falcons travel to Shrophshire Revolution tomorrow to bring down the curtain on their second British American Football League regular season knowing that they will secure a play-off spot should they avoid defeat.

However, they will also be aware that their rivals can pip them to a post-season berth if they come out on top.

It promises to be a close run thing, too. When the sides met at Leicester last month they fought out a 20-20 draw.

Since then, the Falcons have shown impressive form. They have won their last two matches, including a 34-6 romp over central conference leaders Staffordshire Surge.

Tomorrow they will look to an increasingly potent offence which can move the ball on the ground or through the air.

Quarterback Arturo Sanchez has proved a valuable addition, too, and he threw for three scores in the victory over the Surge.

Telford will be no place for faint hearts tomorrow but after recent performances Leicester will travel in confidence as they eye a post-season visit to northern conference top dogs Manchester Titans

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Leicester Falcons roar to impressive win over Berkshire Renegades

Leicester Falcons put themselves in the British American Football League central conference title race with a crushing 41-0 win over the Berkshire Renegades at Leicester Forest.

The victory gave the Falcons a record of two wins and one defeat for the season.

Leicester did not look back after Chris Rodrigo returned the opening kick-off for a touchdown from 78 yards. Quarterback Brad Thompson guided the Leicester offence impressively and was able to mix some effective passing with the Falcons' trademark running game.

The home side's defence also controlled matters, shutting out the opposition. Phil Rudkin took the defensive MVP honours for a performance in which he completed 10 tackles, adding a sack and a fumble recovery.

At half-time the Falcons were cruising at 22-0, Thompson having run in two scores, the second from three yards after the triggerman had connected with Ben Marshall Williams on a 58-yard pass to set up the score....

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