Britbowl XXXVIII Match Report
By Tim Foster
Captains Alex Lenkowski (#17), Cade Makin (#94), Scott Tomlinson (#56), and Jerome Darko (#7). Photo by Malc Burke.
The Manchester Titans arrived at Britbowl XXXVIII in a sultry Nick Newbold Stadium, Coventry on Sunday 6th September 2026 with an unbeaten domestic record - as did their opponents the Bristol Aztecs. Both teams seemed relaxed and prepared for the battle that awaited them. There is a friendly and respectful, yet combative rivalry between these two current greats of British American Football, ploughing furrows of a professional approach to the elite end of this sport.
This is exemplified by what they both do off the field too, with supporters buses from both sides arriving from their respective North and South starting points; both setting up their merch stalls on the day, and Manchester Titans being awarded the inaugural BAFA Community Heroes Club of the Year Award, received at half time by club stalwart (powered by Duracell batteries) Liam Twigg and Game Day Manager B West.
Matt Wilson, our solemn, contemplative swordsman. Photo by Dave Bradshaw.
Sword-bearing Matt Wilson led the Titans onto the field and Head Coach Foster looked pumped and ready for action. Captain Alex Lenkowski won the toss and deferred receipt of the ball. In receiving the ball, the Aztecs set out on a long and grinding drive, eating up the clock. Titans defence stood up forcing several long 3rd and 4th downs with brilliant pressure and tackling by LBs Fraser Galloway (#4) and Rory Dodgson (#2) of note, but the bravery of the Aztecs saw them move the chains on each occasion. Finally, QB Ethan Gretzinger (#10) found Sam East (WR, #9) with an inch perfect pass over the head of the retreating DB Ben Komba (#27). The extra point was good.
Fraser Galloway (#4) and Cade Makin (#94) with the tackle on Bristol’s elusive RB. Photo by Malc Burke.
Titans’ first possession was short lived, with a great punt forcing Aztecs to start again deep in their own half. They then deployed their RB Josh Breece (#2) to find gaps even water couldn’t find to skilfully take Aztecs into Titans territory. Into the 2nd quarter the Titans defence remained strong and on 4th & 6 Aztecs rolled the dice again and Gretzinger was able to dart forward to make the ground. With the help of great blocking and decoy running he was able to find a pass to East again who side stepped and then dived into the right corner for a score. Titans blocked the extra point conversion but for all the impressive defensive effort from the rotating D-Line and Linebackers found themselves 0-13 down.
Sam East with an absolutely stunning diving touchdown. Photo by Dave Bradshaw.
Could the offence begin to click and bring them back into the game? Hafeez Bisiriyu (RB, #34) was trying his best to weave through the Aztecs defensive line, but another punt was required to put Aztecs back in their own redzone. Titans D stood strong again and forced an Aztecs punt, but Titans won the field position battle and QB Josh Mills (#3) was able to dart a central pass to the fizzing Brad Temple (WR, #1) who expertly caught the ball and sped away from the Aztecs coverage. The ever-reliable leg of Lenkowski converted the extra point, and Titans were back in the ball game.
Brad Temple with the breakaway - and the entire Titans sideline (except Coach David) going crazy. Photo by Dave Bradshaw.
As Aztecs pushed for another score a strong tackle by DBs Seven Florence (#40) and James Eaton (#9) knocked the ball loose and a combination of Don Espina (LB, #57) and Djoss Balela (DB, #0) were able to recover the ball. A downfield pass to Sam Wilson (WR, #88) was just out of his reach, but on the opposite flank Matt Wilson was found, and then Connor Greenhalgh (WR, #11) down the middle, and closing in on the two-minute warning Titans were pushing hard for parity. The first redzone attempt was spilled by Matt Wilson in the right corner, the second tossed away and the next was intercepted in his endzone by Aztecs DB Nudelman (#22) who was able to charge down the Aztecs’ sideline for a pick-six.
Fumble recovery by DB Djoss Balela. Photo by Dave Bradshaw.
To rub salt into the Titans’ wounds Breece was able to power over for a two-point conversion. In this play Mills was hit while throwing and injured and was replaced by QB Alex Ross (#8). From the kick-off Titans moved the chains with running from Bisiriyu and Nathan Jewkes (RB, #12), and a reception by Charlie Escott (WR, #14). Rather than going for ground for a potential FG attempt Titans went for it with a long throw, but the Aztecs’ coverage were able to intercept (DB #0, Onamade). From threatening parity just moments earlier, Titans found themselves down 7-21 going into the half.
Titans received the ball at the start of the second half, knowing that a successful possession could bring them back to within a score. They proceeded to control a drive downfield and were helped by two 15-yard penalties. Mills back in at QB was able to find Temple on the Aztecs’ one yard line, but he wasn’t able to force himself over the line. A pass to WR Kristian Dean (#15) was just out of reach, a fumbled snap, and then a scramble by Mills after a low snap, left Titans with a FG attempt, coming away with only 3 points.
Charlie Escott (#14) evading tackles on kick return. Photo by Malc Burke.
With Aztecs back in possession Breece was able to break clear to approach the Titans’ line and that was enough for a run-in score by RB Vaughan (#27). The extra point was blocked. Mills was unable to continue and back came Ross at QB. He threw a screen pass to Bisiriyu who had gone in motion, but it was intercepted by DE Woodward (#17) for the second pick-six of the day. Breece powered over for a two-point conversion and the score board was now running away from the Titans. Returning Charlie Martin (QB, #16) came in but was up against great Aztecs cover defence.
The Titans Defence swarm taking down RB #2. Photo by Malc Burke.
The Aztecs missed a FG attempt but Breece was not done yet and picking great running lines he again outpaced the Titans cover for another score in the first play of the 4th quarter. Titans were now rotating their WRs and in defence Jonny Omal (DB, #25) was able to prevent an Aztecs’ catch in the endzone. Titans defence were now tiring and falling off tackles that had been made earlier in the day, exploited by livewire Gretzinger who bounced over the line in contact. The final score was 10-49.
Coach Lewis Potts with veteran Linebacker Joe Partington. Photo by Malc Burke.
Great credit goes to deserved winners and back-to-back Britbowl Champions, the Bristol Aztecs and the impressive MVP Josh Breece. When he needed a break, they were able to bring in the equally impressive RB Emmanuel Bawa (#26). With such weapons and some big bodies on their O-Line I would like to finish by paying particular tribute to the Titans D-Line and Linebackers who were pounded throughout the game and stood up to the task until the final quarter when the realisation of a lost dream was hitting home. That didn’t stop defensive bodies being put on the line and but for small margins the scoreline could have been very different. The result possibly not, but the dream is still alive, and the Manchester Titans live to fight another day, in the knowledge that being at the end of season party and throwing your hat into the ring to bring it home is better than not!
The aforementioned impressive RB Emmanuel Bawa - in front of a 1,000 strong crowd at Nick Newbold Stadium. Photo by Dave Bradshaw.
The author’s personal reflection of the day – It was lovely to see Aztecs’ Head Coach Pete Jones at the beginning of the day and wishing each other well for what was to come. I tried to find him at the end to congratulate him but missed the chance. I did however see my Aztecs ‘Chicken Zinger Burger’ friend and managed to congratulate him and asked him to pass a message onto Pete.
I am reminded of two of my favourite quotes:
“If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same”
— Rudyard Kipling
“Be humble in victory and gracious in defeat. Conflict often ends with some as winners and some as losers. The current winner can become the loser next time – and vice versa. The choice we make – and it is a choice – about how to behave should reflect our own sense of honour”
— Christopher Earle
These sentiments were echoed by both Head Coaches in their post-match interviews. As the 2026 chapter closes, we can only look forward to the next time we meet.