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!