NFFL Week 5 / 6 Preview
- Andy Taylor
- Jul 11, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: Jul 25, 2024
Photo: Mel Jevins Photography
We’ve quickly hit the business end of the NFFL season where playoff spots will be confirmed, and teams will start getting ruled out of contention. This gameday weekend we see cross-conference action up and down the country and lots to get into. Unfortunately, we understand that Clyde Comets and Chorley Buccaneers aren’t participating this week, but plenty is going on! Let’s look at what’s ahead in the NFFL Week 5 / 6 weekend.
Section |
Premiership
Highlands / North Cross-Conference 1
Host: Renfrewshire Raptors
Salford Scorpions vs Renfrewshire Raptors
Grangemouth Broncos vs Wigan Bandits
Renfrewshire Raptors vs Warrington Revolution
Salford Scorpions vs Glasgow Hornets
Glasgow Hornets vs Wigan Bandits
Salford Scorpions vs Grangemouth Broncos
Glasgow Hornets vs Warrington Revolution
Renfrewshire Raptors vs Wigan Bandits
Grangemouth Broncos vs Warrington Revolution
The Glasgow Hornets have a chance to clinch the Premiership Highlands Division title if they win all three of their games. They come into this gameday with momentum, having gone undefeated so far this season. The Wigan Bandits face a challenging schedule, taking on two potential playoff teams in the Hornets and Grangemouth Broncos, making their quest for victories particularly tough.
The Grangemouth Broncos aim to secure a playoff spot with strong performances this weekend. A perfect gameday could significantly boost their chances, especially if other results favour them. The Broncos' clash with the Bandits is expected to be one of the highlights, with both teams eager to push towards the playoffs.
Salford Scorpions, despite a challenging set of games, will look to remain in playoff contention with crucial wins. Their previous cross-conference saw them winning only by forfeit, so they will be determined to prove themselves. As hosts, the Renfrewshire Raptors hope to bounce back from their winless previous outing in cross-conference play and leverage their home advantage.
Highlands / North Cross-Conference 2
Host: Edinburgh Outlaws
Manchester Titans vs Aberdeen Oilcats
Manchester Crows vs Edinburgh Outlaws
Manchester Titans Bees vs Aberdeen Oilcats
Manchester Titans vs Moray Distillers
Manchester Crows vs Moray Distillers
Manchester Titans Bees vs Edinburgh Outlaws
Manchester Titans Bees vs Moray Distillers
Manchester Crows vs Aberdeen Oilcats
Manchester Titans vs Edinburgh Outlaws
This weekend, the Edinburgh Outlaws host the NFFL Premiership Highlands / North Divisions Cross-Conference gameday. With playoff spots on the line, the competition is set to be intense.
The Manchester Titans, on a three-game win streak, aim to solidify their playoff position. Crucial games against the Oilcats and Outlaws will be key, especially given the tight race with the Manchester Crows in their division. The Crows, who have the head-to-head advantage, will look to maintain their edge with important matchups against the Outlaws and Oilcats.
The Oilcats and Outlaws, both fighting for playoff spots, need strong performances. The Oilcats went 1-1 last time out, while the Outlaws seek to bounce back from an 0-2 record from the previous gameday. The Manchester Titans Bees, just outside the playoff seedings, need to capitalise on this gameday to boost their standings. Meanwhile, the Moray Distillers aim to secure their first win of the season.
In the previous cross-conference, the Oilcats and Outlaws both went 3-0, showcasing their potential. The Titans, Crows, and Titans Bees had mixed results, with the Titans and Bees each going 1-2, and the Crows achieving a 2-1 record.
Expect thrilling games as teams vie for playoff positions, particularly in matchups like Titans vs. Oilcats, Titans vs. Outlaws, Crows vs. Outlaws, and Crows vs. Oilcats.
South Cross-Conference 1
Host: Coventry Panthers
Coventry Panthers vs London Smoke
Northants Titans vs London Rebels
Northants Titans vs Reading Devils
Cardiff Hurricanes vs London Rebels
Reading Devils vs Coventry Panthers
London Smoke vs Cardiff Hurricanes
Coventry Panthers vs London Rebels
London Smoke vs Northants Titans
Cardiff Hurricanes vs Reading Devils
The Cardiff Hurricanes (2nd) and London Smoke (1st) are both undefeated, and this gameday could determine if they maintain their perfect records. Their matchups against each other, as well as against the 5th-seeded Reading Devils, promise exciting football. Depending on their results and those of the Northants Titans (10th), the Hurricanes could secure the division title this week.
The Northants Titans, currently 10th, aim to improve their standings with key games against the London Rebels and Reading Devils. Their performance will be crucial in the tight playoff race. The Coventry Panthers, hosting the event, seek to better their 1-2 record from the last cross-conference.
The previous cross-conference saw strong performances from the London Smoke, Reading Devils, and Cardiff Hurricanes, each finishing 3-0. The Northants Titans and London Rebels both ended 2-1, while the Panthers struggled with a 1-2 record.
Expect thrilling games as the Hurricanes and Smoke face off, with both teams aiming to stay undefeated. Key matchups like Cardiff Hurricanes vs. Reading Devils and London Smoke vs. Cardiff Hurricanes will be particularly impactful in shaping the playoff race.
South Cross-Conference 2
Host: Cheltenham Neptunes
London Flash vs Cheltenham Neptunes
London Spark vs Keynsham Kings
London Flash vs Keynsham Kings
Coventry Phoenix vs Chichester Sharks
Coventry Phoenix vs London Spark
Chichester Sharks vs Cheltenham Neptunes
Coventry Phoenix vs London Flash
Keynsham Kings vs Chichester Sharks
Cheltenham Neptunes vs London Spark
The Cheltenham Neptunes host the NFFL Premiership South Cross-Conference gameday, where playoff hopefuls and teams battling relegation face off in critical matchups.
Currently, only the Neptunes and Chichester Sharks are playoff-bound, with the Sharks standing out as the 7th seed. The Sharks vs. Neptunes matchup is the highlight of the day, with both teams in good form. The Neptunes come in strong off a 3-0 record from their last division gameday, while the Sharks went 2-0.
The previous cross-conference saw the London Flash, Keynsham Kings, and Coventry Phoenix struggling, each finishing 0-3. The London Spark and Cheltenham Neptunes managed 1-2 records, while the Sharks led with 2-1.
Key relegation-impact games include a mini-tournament within this gameday between the London Flash (1-9), Keynsham Kings (2-9), Coventry Phoenix (1-10) and London Spark (2-9). These games are crucial as the Flash and Phoenix are at the bottom of their divisions, and the Kings and Spark sit in fifth. If the London Rebels have a difficult day in the other Cross-Conference gameday then things could get very interesting going into the final week of the regular season.
Division 1
Highlands / North A Cross-Conference
Host: Glasgow Killer Bees
Grangemouth Mustangs vs Salford Scorpion Stingers
Manchester Ravens vs Grangemouth Colts
West Lothian Chargers vs Wirral Vikings
Border City Centurions vs Glasgow Killer Bees
Grangemouth Mustangs vs Wirral Vikings
West Lothian Chargers vs Salford Scorpion Stingers
Manchester Ravens vs Glasgow Killer Bees
Grangemouth Mustangs vs West Lothian Chargers
Border City Centurions vs Grangemouth Colts
The Grangemouth Mustangs (2nd seed, 12-1) and West Lothian Chargers (7th seed, 11-2) face off in a critical game for the Highlands division. The Mustangs won their previous encounter 32-25, leaving the Chargers with a 7-point deficit to overcome.
The Border City Centurions (6th seed, 10-2-2) aim to maintain their top spot in the tight North A division, with a tough matchup against the Grangemouth Colts (15th seed, 8-5). The Colts, who went 1-1 in the last cross-conference, are also keeping an eye on the promotion race within the Highland division.
The Manchester Ravens (16th seed, 7-5-2) and Grangemouth Colts are set for a crucial game, with both teams holding similar records and playoff aspirations. This matchup could significantly impact their playoff hopes.
The Salford Scorpion Stingers (27th seed, 5-9) and Glasgow Killer Bees (28th seed, 4-9) look to improve their standings, with the Stingers having had a strong 3-0 showing in the last cross-conference.
In the previous cross-conference gameday, the Wirral Vikings (17th seed, 8-6) also went 3-0 and will aim to continue their strong performance against the Chargers and Mustangs to keep up with the Centurions and West Lancashire Serpents. This is a slightly shortened gameday as the Chorley Buccaneers are not expected to travel to Glasgow.
North A / Highlands Cross-Conference
Host: West Lancashire Serpents
Edinburgh Gunslingers vs West Lancashire Serpents
Aberdeen Silvercats vs Manchester Titans Tridents
Aberdeen Silvercats vs West Lancashire Serpents
Edinburgh Gunslingers vs Manchester Titans Tridents
The West Lancashire Serpents host a shortened NFFL Division 1 North A / Highlands Cross-Conference gameday this weekend, with the Clyde Comets not participating. Despite the reduced schedule, the stakes remain high.
The highlight matchup features the Aberdeen Silvercats against the West Lancashire Serpents. The Serpents are in excellent form, riding a six-game win streak, and are looking to go 2-0 to leapfrog the Border City Centurions to become division leaders in North A. The Silvercats, despite their recent struggles with only one win in their last five games, are still within reach of the playoffs, currently seeded 18th.
The Serpents, currently 8th in the playoff seedings, aim to solidify their position and improve their standing. The Silvercats will also have their eyes on other cross-conference results, particularly the Grangemouth Colts, as they battle for playoff spots.
The Edinburgh Gunslingers, not in playoff contention at 36th, and the Manchester Titans Tridents, 30th, both face significant challenges. The Tridents need a clean sweep and favourable results elsewhere to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
North B / Midlands Cross-Conference
Host: Leeds Samurai
Leeds Samurai vs Lincolnshire Longhorns
Steel River Stingrays vs Nottingham Honey Badgers
Newcastle Blackhawks vs South Yorkshire Roosters
West Yorkshire Warthogs vs Waveney Wolves
Calderdale Locomotives vs Lincolnshire Longhorns
Steel River Stingrays vs Waveney Wolves
Leeds Samurai vs South Yorkshire Roosters
West Yorkshire Warthogs vs Nottingham Honey Badgers
Calderdale Locomotives vs South Yorkshire Roosters
Steel River Stingrays vs West Yorkshire Warthogs
Newcastle Blackhawks vs Lincolnshire Longhorns
The Leeds Samurai (10th seed) have an important day in the race for the division title with games against the Lincolnshire Longhorns (21st) and South Yorkshire Roosters (35th). The Samurai, with a solid 10-4 record, aim to secure their playoff spot.
The Newcastle Blackhawks (3rd seed) and Waveney Wolves (4th seed), both division leaders, are looking to maintain their top positions. The Blackhawks face the Longhorns and Roosters, while the Wolves, eager to bounce back from two losses, take on the West Yorkshire Warthogs (22nd seed) and Steel River Stingrays (23rd seed).
The Nottingham Honey Badgers (12th seed) are the in-form team, having won 6 of their last 7 games, including a victory over the Blackhawks. They face the Stingrays and Warthogs, looking to secure their playoff position further.
The Calderdale Locomotives (39th seed) seek their first win of the season, with their best chance coming against the Roosters. The Longhorns have a challenging day ahead, facing two playoff-bound teams the Samurai and Blackhawks.
Midlands / North B Cross-Conference
Host: Nottingham Bears
Leicester Huntsmen vs Sheffield Giants (Blue)
Nottingham Bears vs Sheffield Giants (Black)
Coventry Panthers B vs Sheffield Giants (Blue)
Leicester Huntsmen vs Sheffield Giants (Black)
Nottingham Bears vs Sheffield Giants (Blue)
Coventry Panthers B vs Sheffield Giants (Black)
The Sheffield Giants (Blue) are the only team with a winning record (10-3) in this gameday and will need to sweep their three games to maintain pressure on the Newcastle Blackhawks and Leeds Samurai in the race for the North B division title. Their confidence is high, given their strong performance so far.
The Leicester Huntsmen (25th seed), Nottingham Bears (24th seed), and Coventry Panthers B (26th seed) are closely matched in both division standings and playoff seedings. This gameday is crucial for them to separate themselves from the pack and improve their chances of breaking into the top 16 for the playoffs.
The Sheffield Giants (Black), currently the 32nd seed, face a make-or-break situation. They need to win all their games to avoid being mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.
Expect competitive games with significant playoff implications, especially for the Giants (Blue), who aim to continue their winning streak, and for the Huntsmen, Bears, and Panthers B, who seek to climb the playoff seedings. The outcomes here will shape the playoff landscape and the battle for division titles in NFFL Division 1 Midlands and North B.
South A
Host: Chichester Sharks B
Buckinghamshire Wolfpack vs Buckinghamshire Wolves
Chichester Sharks B vs Buckinghamshire Wolfpack
Buckinghamshire Wolves vs Salisbury City Marauders
Chichester Sharks B vs Victoria Park Panthers
Salisbury City Marauders vs Victoria Park Panthers
The Chichester Sharks B host a crucial Division 1 South A gameday, the only one not involving cross-conference matchups. With the removal of the Berkshire Renegades from the league, this gameday features a shortened schedule but remains packed with important fixtures.
The Buckinghamshire Wolves (8-2, 5th seed) look to continue their dominant season and maintain their lead in the division. They face the Buckinghamshire Wolfpack (1-6-2, 33rd seed) and Salisbury City Marauders (1-7-1, 34th seed). Given their current form, the Wolves are expected to secure wins and reinforce their playoff position.
The Victoria Park Panthers (7-3, 11th seed) are close behind the Wolves and hope for a slip-up to improve their standings, but they must first overcome Chichester Sharks B (5-4-1, 19th seed). The matchup between the Panthers and Sharks B is poised to be the highlight of the game day, with both teams eyeing the playoffs.
For the Wolfpack and Marauders, this gameday represents a last chance to keep their playoff hopes alive. Without two wins, they are likely to be eliminated from contention.
