Semi-Final Match Report: Titans Go Marching On To Britbowl XXXVIII
By Tim Foster
Where to begin? As my quill is still all of a quiver.
The Titans tunnel welcoming Matt Wilson (WR, #81) onto the pitch for his first playoff game as a Titan. Photo by James Camenzuli.
Manchester Titans welcomed players, coaches, support staff and supporters of London Blitz on Saturday 22nd August 2026, as they strove to retake their place at the top table of British American Football after many years in the wilderness. In that time and post-Covid our Manchester Titans have risen to those heights and were looking to overcome the disappointment of two successive semi-final home defeats to the Bristol Aztecs, after defeating the same opposition in 2022 and 2023 on their way to back-to-back National Championships under then HC Jonathan Homer (now Club Chair).
In the deflated post-match environment last year James Dean (DC) posed the question “How do we prepare for winning these high-stakes play-off games?” Maybe the galvanising trip to the Thonon Black Panthers was that tonic? Despite leaving France in defeat there were so many lessons learned and bonds formed. And on the way to their first National Title in 2022 the Titans lost on the road to [then] Tamworth Phoenix – lessons in defeat take you to a better place.
DL Coach Lewis Potts and Titans veteran Charlie Dixon (DL, #99). Photo by James Camenzuli.
On Saturday afternoon Titans one and all arrived to marvel at the work of the Belle Vue Banksy, as the Titans logo had been emblazoned on the centre of the field in secret. The weather was once again kind, and the feel-good factor was palpable with the game-day team providing for what was the largest home attendance of the season. Club Chair Jon Homer accompanied by Huss and Jacob from the Manchester Met Eagles on the PA provided insight, wit, and great music alongside long-time Titan Alex Mannion on the drums and trombone (!). The stadium was buzzing with anticipation.
Through the plumes of thick blue smoke out charged sword-bearing, talismanic captain Alex Lenkowski (K, #17) followed by his marauding teammates. Photo by James Camenzuli.
Lenkowski won the coin toss and deferred receipt of the ball. He then produced an audacious onside kick-off that was recovered by Seven Florence (DB, #40) to secure instant possession and favourable field position. Josh Mills (QB, #3) found Matt Wilson (WR, #81) deep down field and from the Blitz 3-yard line then found Brad Temple (WR, #1) with a leap and catch over his left shoulder in the endzone. Alex converted the extra point, and Titans were up 7-0 and cooking. Blitz came into the game and found field position to take 3 points from a successful field goal. Titans were showing great defence and the running of Hafeez Bisiriyu (RB, #34) was good with line breaks and yards made.
Dream team Lenkowski and Ross (QB, #8) with a Field Goal powered by our friends at Red Bull. Photo by James Camenzuli.
Titans began the 2nd quarter with good field control and an excellent drive took them into field goal range, but the kick was blocked by the Blitz. The Blitz used that momentum to take them into the Titans redzone until Fraser Galloway (LB, #4) produced a sack and fumble for a turnover of the ball. Mills found Wilson again and the chains were moving. From the Blitz 16-yard line Bisiriyu received a hand off, found space with a step and then powered over with Blitz defenders hanging off him. The extra-point was good and Titans kept pressure on as Ben Komba (DB, #27) tipped a pass for James Eaton (DB, #9) to make a diving interception. As the half drew to a close the Blitz led an aggressive drive downfield taking them back into the redzone. QB Alex Stocks (#12) rolled out to the right and found TE Freddy Ashe (#89) in the right corner. With a successful kick the score was 14-10 at the half, and a potential momentum shifter.
Mills finding the reliable hands of Connor Greenhalgh (WR, #11). Photo by James Camenzuli.
Half-time entertainment saw Titans’ super-fan Anthony win the ‘punt, pass , kick’ challenge.
Great defensive sets from both teams forcing multiple punts created plenty of field position fluctuation in the 3rd quarter until the Blitz took control of the ball inside the Titans’ half and Stocks picked out Louis Green (WR, #84) deep over the head of Eaton and the extra-point was good. Blitz taking the lead 14-17. That lead was extended in the 4th quarter with a field goal, so Titans needed a score, trailing 14-20. In the fire of the furnace cool heads were required.
Powerful running from Hafeez Bisiriyu (RB, #34). Photo by James Camenzuli.
Blitz managed to block another field goal attempt and Mills tried to find Wilson and Charlie Escott (WR, #14) with long throws down-field, but each was agonisingly just out of the receivers’ reach. With the clock ticking under 2 minutes the fans in the stands picked up their noise and then erupted as the Mills-Wilson hook-up finally worked. A hush was just about attained for Alex Lenkowski to nail the extra point. With Blitz rushing play to get into field goal range they ran out of time and Manchester Titans were victorious in an epic of a game (21-20) and go marching on.
Celebrations with Josh Mills and Boris Gavin (LB, #55). Photo by James Camenzuli.
HC Foster received the Gatorade treatment again as the over-riding emotion of the fans was of nervous relief with the exciting realisation that they will be going to Coventry on the 6th September to cheer on their team. The players stood tall, produced, and can now work hard in the next two-weeks to go meet their rivals Bristol Aztecs in BritBowl XXXVIII to challenge for the National Championship again.
Head Coach George Foster getting slightly more than he bargained for (a recently filled-to-the-brim keg). Photo by James Camenzuli.
Through hard work, grit, determination, and the support from the 12th man in the Belle Vue grandstand, the Titans have earned themselves a coveted spot in Britbowl XXXVIII. We hope to see as many Titans fans there as possible sporting your royal blue Titans merchandise and making as much if not more noise than you did on Saturday! Thank you for a fantastic run of home games and we hope to make you proud on September 6.
To register interest to travel on a Titans fan bus to Britbowl XXXVIII please fill out this form.