2011 U19 Kitted Season Summary
The 2011 U19 Kitted season saw the London Blitz clinch their first national championship, becoming the fourth different team from London to win the prestigious title. The season was packed with exciting games, and the London Blitz demonstrated their dominance throughout the competition, culminating in a convincing 44-14 win over the Gateshead Senators in the final.
Conference Standings
Eastern Conference:
The Cambridgeshire Cats were the standout team in the Eastern Conference, finishing the regular season undefeated with an 8-0 record, scoring 118 points while only conceding 16. Colchester Gladiators and East Kent Mavericks followed, but both teams struggled against the top competition, with South London Renegades finishing the season winless.
| Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridgeshire Cats | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 118 | 16 | 16 |
| Colchester Gladiators | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 64 | 44 | 6 |
| East Kent Mavericks | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 88 | 88 | 6 |
| Kent Exiles | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 42 | 72 | 2 |
| South London Renegades | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 30 | 122 | 0 |
Central Conference:
The Sheffield Tomahawks were the top team in the Central Conference, winning all three of their games. Tamworth Phoenix also had a strong showing with 2 wins and no losses. At the bottom, Peterborough Saxons and Leicester Falcons struggled, with both teams unable to secure many victories.
| Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sheffield Tomahawks | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 106 | 6 | 6 |
| Tamworth Phoenix | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 8 | 4 |
| Nottingham Caesars | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 86 | 102 | 4 |
| Coventry Jets | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 46 | 93 | 4 |
| Birmingham Bulls | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 33 | 24 | 3 |
| Peterborough Saxons | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 22 | 36 | 3 |
| Leicester Falcons | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 36 | 102 | 2 |
Northern Conference:
In the Northern Conference, Leeds Varsity Bobcats finished on top with a 3-1 record, while the Lancashire Wolverines and Gateshead Senators were also competitive. Manchester Titans had a tough season, unable to secure any victories.
| Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leeds Varsity Bobcats | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 102 | 33 | 6 |
| Lancashire Wolverines | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 120 | 46 | 4 |
| Gateshead Senators | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 112 | 84 | 4 |
| Lanarkshire Longhorns | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 45 | 40 | 4 |
| Manchester Titans | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 26 | 202 | 0 |
Southern Conference:
The London Blitz were the clear leaders in the Southern Conference, finishing with a perfect 7-0 record, scoring 200 points and conceding just 56. Bristol Aztecs and Farnham Knights followed, both having strong seasons. Hampshire Thrashers had a difficult year, failing to secure a win.
| Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London Blitz | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 200 | 56 | 14 |
| Bristol Aztecs | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 104 | 56 | 6 |
| London Warriors | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 132 | 96 | 4 |
| Farnham Knights | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 70 | 62 | 4 |
| Hampshire Thrashers | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 46 | 282 | 0 |
Playoff Results
The playoffs were filled with intense matchups, with London Blitz and Gateshead Senators making it to the final. In the quarterfinals, London Blitz defeated Colchester Gladiators 40-10, and Gateshead Senators overcame Lancashire Wolverines 24-0. In the semi-finals, London Blitz triumphed over Bristol Aztecs, and Gateshead Senators defeated Lancashire Wolverines.
Championship Game
The London Blitz claimed their first-ever national championship by defeating Gateshead Senators 44-14 in the final, securing their place in history as the fourth different team from London to win the championship.
Conclusion
The 2011 U19 Kitted season saw the rise of London Blitz as national champions. Their dominant performances throughout the season and a strong playoff run led them to their first title, adding to the rich history of London-based teams in the U19 Kitted league. The season also showcased a competitive and hard-fought battle across all conferences, with notable performances from Colchester Gladiators, Bristol Aztecs, and Sheffield Tomahawks.