World Footy News

Footy is back on in earnest around Britain, with perennial power club the West London Wildcats again topping the ladder in the London Premiership. The Cats however had a shock loss last weekend, going down to the Putney Magpies 48-44 in the biggest upset of the season so far.

Also in London, the Dulwich Dragons have become the first club to be created in the city's south-east suburbs and took the field for the first time recently. The Dragons planned to launch for the 2009 season, but fast-tracked plans to get together players for the London Social league this year.

Fellow new club, the Chippenham Redbacks, had their maiden victory a few weeks ago against the Brighton Black Swans in the ARUK Southern division. The Redbacks were formed by Dragonslayers captain Rob Fielder this season, with a number of players from the now-defunct Swindon Devils club.

West London went into the match against Putney having had solid victories over Wimbledon, the Swans and North London in their first three matches.

This was to prove to be the toughest game of the year for the Wildcats, with Putney switched on after a narrow defeat the week before. According the Wildcats' Catriona McNee, "At quarter time it was 4 goals to 1 down and the boys needed a rev up. It came and they switched on to be a goal down at half-time. Admittedly, the Catters were winning the ruck but their disposal let them down too often – was it the closeness of the jerseys or poor disposal? Whatever the case it is an area that will need to be addressed come finals time."

"The 3rd quarter was an interesting affair with Putney playing possession footy into the wind but the Catters with a sweeper were able to nullify the majority of their play. Still a goal down at going into the last the Catters were unable to close the gap and went down by 4 points. Worth noting were the 2 goals scored immediately after the restart following unfortunate game ending injuries to 2 Putney players in the first and third quarters – the Catters again switching off!

"To sum up, Putney fought a bit harder and deserved their first win over the Catters. All teams will have to hit the track harder this week ready for the Wandsworth Demons who are already claiming bragging rights since the Anzac Cup."

The Wildcats now are on equal points with Wandsworth and Putney at the top of the table, separated only by percentage.

July 5th will see the Brit Cup back for another year, when the best non-Australians in the league go into battle for bragging rights as the UK's best club for local development.