Titans Women and U19 Weekend Match Reports

By Timothy Foster

Small but mighty, Kemmi Crosby (WR, #11) taken down by two Warriors. Photo by @galagepics.

On Saturday 4th July Titans Women hosted the London Warriors (NWFL Premiership) and the following day the Titans U19s hosted Edinburgh Napier Knights (Division One Scotland & North). Both games kicked off at 12:00 with volunteers from the Mixed Adult Contact Team (Saturday and Sunday) and the Women’s Contact Team (Sunday) as ball-persons and chain crew" and the Merch stand in demand on both days. Both games were live-streamed on our YouTube channel and can be watched back online in full if you missed the games.

The London Warriors are a seasoned team who have competed in the National Finals multiple times and exactly a year ago they won a 0-52 victory in Manchester. This year they came up against a resurgent and very different Titans team full of tough tackling and hard running. Although the result was the same this year the scoreline of 8-19 showed huge progress for our Titans Women - the game was hard-fought and the teams were of equal determination and quality.

Erika Patao (LB/RB, #14) and Maryann Alozie (QB, #9) powering up the Titans run game. Photo by @galagepics.

It’s always nice to face ex-Titan, now-Warrior, and friend Kenya Peters (WR, #12) and she felt the full force of the Titans’ defensive effort, but her perseverance prevailed with a run-in TD in the final quarter. Titans’ TD was a great pick-six by Katie Sykes (DB, #33) whose pace saw her score from the halfway line in the second quarter. Emily Rodrigues (RB, #19) ran in the two-point conversion to make it 8-13 at the half, after two Warriors TDs in the first quarter had given them a 0-13 lead. The game saw standout performances from all players putting their bodies on the line, and a good first start for rookie Maryann Alozie (QB, #9). 

Ready for kick off vs Edinburgh Napier Knights. Photo by @shotsby.lozz

On Sunday 5th July two packed rosters of U19s players took to the field in what was an even game to-ing and fro-ing on the scoreline and field position. Titans took the initiative in the first quarter after early strong defending from LB #18 and a swarming defence, and then a great punt and turnover put the Titans on the front foot. A QB (#2) keeper, scrambling and then with dancing feet taking him over the line, with an extra point success. A pick-six from DB (#23) made the score 13-0.

The second quarter saw a momentum swing; Knights scored with a QB ‘keeper’ and then a brilliant pass from their own half was caught downfield for another touchdown. Two extra point conversions made the score 13-14 as play neared the half. Knights however went for it on 4th down in their own half with the clock ticking and the QB was nailed by the edge-rushing Titans #11. The final play of the half saw Titans QB roll out and find #8 by the pylon with a fantastic grab. A two-point conversion was good from the same combination and at the half the score was 21-14.

Titans U19 in the huddle. Photo by @shotsby.lozz.

A Titans fumble and Knights recovery lead to the first score of the second half, bringing Knights to within one point, but the Titans took control with tight defensive lines. The Titans QB with a throw down the middle found #10 with a great catch and run, an extra point in the 3rd quarter and then a brilliant run from #88, reversing the field and outpacing the defence down the Knights sideline in the 4th quarter brought an entertaining game to a close – final score 35-20.

Thanks to Tyler Browne for commentating Saturday’s live stream and entertaining the crowd on the PA on Sunday. Thanks also to the London Warriors and the Edinburgh Napier Knights for two excellent games.

Our next home games are the Titans U16s home tournament on Saturday July 25, the Titans U19s vs Lancashire Buccaneers on Sunday July 26, and the Manchester Titans vs the Merseyside Nighthawks on Saturday 1 August.

Titans Double Header in the Manchester Sun

By Timothy Foster

The Manchester Titans hosted their second double header of the season at a sunny Belle Vue on Saturday 20th June with Titans Women taking on Teesside Steelers and Titans Men tussling with the East Kilbride Pirates. The game day team put on a fantastic professional show with the tailgating enhanced by the presence of the Killa Carbs Pizza Company, Cocktail Cartel, Vanoffee, and a very active and welcoming merchandise stand. 

Erika Patao (LB, #14) and Emily Rodrigues (DB, #15) with the tackle on the Teesside RB (20 June 2026). Photo by Hannah McManus.

The first game saw Titans Women play a game of two halves. In the first half they struggled to gain momentum on the offence, but the defence gave a strong performance following an equally impressive outing at Birmingham Lions the weekend before. They were down 0-8 at the end of the first quarter and strong Teesside running in the second quarter saw two more TDs. Going into half-time it was 0-22.

Madeleine Tjalma with a TD run (20 June 2026). Photo by Malcolm Burke.

At the start of the second half a switch to Madeleine Tjalma (#1) at QB put Titans on the front foot with a series of run-plays. In the 4th Quarter Maddy ran in a TD from her own 41-yard line to put points on the board for the Titans. After a FT score of 6-22, many of the Teesside team and the Titans Women’s team stayed to watch the Titans game against East Kilbride.

From left to right: Charlie Martin (QB, #16), Destiny “Tiny” Olusegun (DL, #90), Robin Paier (DL, #98) on 20 June 2026. Photo by Malcolm Burke.

Our Manchester Titans were led onto the field by the sword-carrying Sam Wilson (WR, #88), cheered on by a crowd of over 300 fans, with 18 pupils of Highfield Primary School making themselves heard – “Lets Go Titans, Lets Go!!” This was no ‘artificial noise’ but pure human exuberance! The power play from the Titans started from the first whistle and a strong first quarter saw them lead 28-0. The first TD was from the pace of Hafeez Bisiriyu (RB, #34) who found an edge to run in from deep. Sam Wilson was found in the endzone by QB Josh Mills (#3) and then great blocking allowed rushing TD’s from Hafeez and Nathan Jewkes (RB, #12), both again from deep. All single point conversions were good from Alex Lenkowski (#17).

Sam Wilson (WR, #88) vs East Kilbride, 20 June 2026. Photo by Malcolm Burke.

The first play of the second quarter was a more impressive repeat of Brad Temple’s (WR, #1) catch and run-in from the Coventry game. EKP scored with a great catch but failed in a two-point conversion. Nathan Jewkes found a seam starting from his own 20-yard line and powered to the endzone supported by wingmen blockers and a field goal from Alex Lenkowski saw a half-time score of 45-6. Squad rotation in the second half saw good displays from Alex Ross (QB, #8) and the return from injury from Charlie Martin (QB, #16) and two field goals from the 100% boot of Alex Lenkowski brought a final score of 51-6.

Dan Ward (DB, #6) and Herminio Manga (RB, #80) with the tackle on Special Teams (20 June 2026). Photo by Malcolm Burke.

A special shout out is deserved for aggressive defence from LBs Rory Dodgson (#2) and Abdul (“Mad Dog”) Madougou (#18). The standout performance however was from our “12th Man”, the boys and girls from Highfield Primary who entertained the crowd with their chanting throughout the game and were rewarded at the end of the game with players signing their Titans merchandise and autograph books. On Father’s Day weekend there were a number of proud Dads in the stands who would echo the young voices: “T-I-T-A-N-S Titans are the very best!” on a day under Belle Vue Blue Skies remembered for the running of Maddy, Hafeez, Nathan, and Brad and our 12th Man. Our thanks go out to the teachers and pupils of Highfield Primary - special teachers make special memories.

Highfield Primary on their school trip to cheer on the Manchester Titans (20 June 2026). Photo by Karina Foster.

Titans Women play at home next on Saturday 4 July. Our Titans U19s play at home on Sunday 26 July.

The men’s team are back at home on Saturday 1 August. Get your tickets here!

Week 1 Review: Titans beat Nighthawks, Titans Women Lose by 1 Point

The first weekend of the BAFA National Leagues powered by Union Jack Classic saw two of our teams travel for an away fixture - one team to Durham, another to… South Manchester?

Saturday - Manchester Titans Women vs Teesside Steelers

Starting our weekend on Saturday 18 April in Maiden Castle, Durham the Titans Women took the Steelers by surprise by scoring first. RB Emily Rodrigues #15 in her debut as a Titan got the first points on the board on the opening offensive drive which set the tone for the rest of the game. The Steelers’ speedy RB Gaby Derrick racked up most of the points for Teesside but it was close and competitive throughout with the Titans up by one point at the half. 

With mere moments left in the fourth quarter, QB Liz Majka #22 found WR Jess Dovey #30 in the endzone, making it 25-26. A daring attempt at a 2-pt conversion to take the lead unfortunately fell short of the mark. The atmosphere was electric and both teams congratulated each other on a solid performance, looking forward to the rematch at Belle Vue on 20 June.

We got Head Coach Scott Tomlinson’s thoughts after the game:

“Honestly the game was a spectacle. A massive shoutout to the two coordinators I have, George Foster (OC) and Stuart Robinson (DC). They adjusted well and kept us in it. We knew our expectations this season, the team banded together and we’re now already hitting those targets. Having 5 people debut for Titans is a huge achievement and shows that this team will only go from strength to strength not only this season but even further into the future. Looking forwards to the game against Solent [on 2 May] - every game will be competitive but if we continue to execute as we have been it’s going to make for a very entertaining game.”

Sunday - Manchester Titans vs Merseyside Nighthawks

Fast forward to Sunday 19 April, at what turned out to be more of a home game than expected, fans, friends, family, and a very loud cohort of Titans alumni crowded the fences at the Armitage Centre to cheer on their boys in royal blue. Knowing what the people had come to see, the Titans put 7 touchdowns on the Merseyside Nighthawks and still left the crowd wanting more.

We spoke to Head Coach George Foster after the game:

“Fairly happy with the game, it took us a little longer than we would have liked to get fully up to speed but that is to be expected for the first game of the season. Defensively we put on a good show and had answers to everything that Merseyside threw at us which was good to see. Offensively we grew as the game developed and started to really hit our standard in the second half. On specials we had a couple of big returns and blocked up our kicks well. So overall a strong performance but plenty for us to work on over the next couple of weeks as we prepare for Coventry.”

Speaking on the offensive performance, OC Alex Challands said “It was a good effort to get any pre-season rust out of the system ready for a hectic May. We showed strong throughout the game, and ran away with it whilst rotating in the second half, which is a testament to the effort put in throughout the depths of the squad so early on in the season.”

It was a great outing for new players on the squad with one touchdown for ex-Newcastle Viking WR Matt Wilson #81, and one for rookie RB Herminio Manga #80 in their Titans debuts. In the second half of the game back-up QB and ex-Chester Roman Alex Ross bagged himself his first two passing touchdowns in his debut as a Titan. Another Titans debutant Ben Komba got the first interception of the season and his first interception as a Titan. In the meantime, the rest of the Titans defence ground down the Merseyside offence, leaving the Nighthawks with negative yardage on the day. 

A solid 46-0 victory to start the 2026 season puts the Titans at 1-0 after Week 1. 

Both Titans teams play next at home on Saturday 2 May. Titans Women against the Solent Thrashers at 12pm and Manchester Titans against Coventry Phoenix at 3pm. Get your tickets today!

One Club, One Future

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Women’s Contact: 2026 Fixtures

Women’s Contact Fixtures

We’re excited to announce our Women’s Contact fixtures for 2026!

Our season starts with an away fixture against our Northern rivals, the Teesside Steelers. We then welcome the Solent Thrashers to Belle Vue on Saturday 2 May for a double serving of Titans football as our Adult Contact team take on Coventry Phoenix in the afternoon.

We play Birmingham away on 13 June and host Teesside at Belle Vue for the rematch on 20 June. In July we play the Warriors twice, at home on 4 July and away on 18 July.

The top teams will battle it out in the playoffs on 15 August, with the final taking place on 5 September.

We’d love to see you at one of our games this year. Your support means the world to us.

It’s also not too late to join the team. If you are 16+ you are eligible to play for our Women’s Contact team. Our experienced coaching staff will teach you everything you need to know!

Women’s Contact fixtures for 2026. Featured player: Katie Sykes (DB, #33)

Other Manchester Titans Fixtures

Want to get involved?

Titans Women Kick Off 2026

Titans Women Kick Off 2026 With Successful Rookie Session

On a sunny Saturday morning in Audenshaw last week, the Manchester Titans Women's Contact team came together for the first time in 2026. Whilst the pitch was more suited to an Ice Hockey squad, aptly demonstrated by DB Chloe, the Titans were determined to make the most of it. After a quick round of introductions for the key members of the coaching and management team, Titans new and old got down to the first warm-up of the season. 

Many of the movements seen in the opening part of the session had more place in a Monty Python sketch than on the field, but the warmup did the job, with many players starting to take off some of the many layers needed for this arctic expedition - except Bonner, who seemed to get more clothing on the further through the session we got. 

Fundamentals was the focus of the day, and not just because BAFA told us we have to. All of the players got chance to try different types of blocks, and the O-Line got the chance to show how difficult it is to demonstrate footwork after 4 months of mental reps in hibernation. The session was rounded off with some throwing and catching practice, with the sun causing some additional challenges for those on the wrong side of the field, though it was noted that the sun was blamed for several fumbles by players with their back to it too...

In all, the Titans got the chance to have a great session with a new coaching set up, meet new players, and catch up with old friends, and we're ready to get contracts signed and get into the 2026 season! 

There are two more open sessions for rookies to get involved with our Women’s Team before the season starts for real. One session today at Belle Vue Stadium at 2pm, and another on Tuesday 20 January at 8-10pm, also at Belle Vue Stadium. See you there!

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