The UWE fresher’s fair was held on Friday 21st September and the National Champions UWE Bristol Bullets were looking for new players to join the family. The Bullets signed up 315 people that wanted to give it a shot, a good 150 more than had ever signed up in the history of the Bullets team. At the first try out involved well over 100 guys all vying for a spot in the final squad. Over the next few weeks of training the Bullets squad was cut down to a final squad. The Bullets 2007/2008 roster can be seen here.

The Bullets are also looking for anyone that is interested in becoming a league officials, team coachs, or support staff. All roles do not require any experience and all training will be provided.

The following Bullets made the UK University Bulldogs squad that went over to Oslo to take on the Oslo Vikings.

• Matt Dyke [Offensive Coordinator + QBs Coach]
• Dan Hird [OL]
• James Anderson [WR]
• Alex Gillespie [WR]
• Mike Adams [RB]
• Dave Egbosimba [RB]
• Kesav Nair [DL]
• Olly Barrett [DL]

The Vikings were ranked 9th in Europe and only lost in their championship game by 3 points (27-30). They may have been missing a few of their import players but this was still a hard test for a group of players that had only had 2 training camps to try and gel. With late notice of the tour some of the top UK University players could not make the trip, however the guys that did formed a very strong team spirit that really showed on the field. The Bulldogs set the tone for the Offense with an opening drive of 70 yards through some great power running from Bullets RB Dave ‘Dangerous’ Egbosimba, ending in a score from Bullet Alex ‘A-Bomb’ Gillespie. The defense was solid all game with some of the leagues great defensive players really leading the way. Southampton’s Iain ‘Malibu’ Anderson (SS), Hertfordshire’s Fabrzio ‘Fab’ Gargiulo (OLB), Cardiff’s Tom ‘Egg’ Slater (FS), and Leeds Luke ‘Tons of Fun’ Brafield really showing what aggressive football is all about. (Including getting a touchdown for themselves)

The final score was Bulldogs 38 – 8 Vikings. Bristol Bullets Mike Adams added two Touchdowns and over 100 yards, Herts Fred Boyle and Sotons Mike Katnik scored a TD each to add to Gillespie’s opening drive score.

Tour MVPs were:

• Overall MVP - Fred Boyle [Herts]
• Offensive MVP - Dave Edgbosimba [Bristol]
• Defensive MVP - Iain Anderson [Soton]
• ST MVP - Matt Hollis [Lough]

The Bullets Great Britain Contingent

The following Bullets made the 2007 all star Wildcats team that took on the Northern Badgers in this years UK College all-star game:

• Matt Dyke [Head Coach]
• Paul Dolan [RB Coach]
• James Carter [QB]
• Alex Gillespie + Dan Jeffery [WRs]
• Mike Adams + Dave Egbosimba + Gabriel Sey [RBs]
• Olly Barrett [OL]
• Kesav Nair + Chris Watts [DL]
• Will North + Kirk Dunn [DBs]

The game ended with a very solid victory for the Southern Wildcats 23 – 0. Bullets RB Mike Adams scored two of the touchdowns in the game with Alex Gillespie bagging another. Matt Dyke also became not only the first coach to win a College Bowl and the All-Star game in the same season, but also the first Wildcats Head Coach to win two All-Star games in a row.

The Bullet-Wildact Hybrids

The Bullets Official Season Review is avalible to download. The review includes detailed match reports of each game including MVPs and some choice photos. CLICK HERE

How You Gunna Beat Family?

On Sunday 25th March, a date that will forever be part of the Bristol Bullets History, the 2007 Bullets found themselves head to head against the Loughborough Aces in the National Championship game! The Bullets travelled for the 4th week in a row and would like to thank their SU for continued support. They stayed overnight to make sure that their players were fresh and ready to go on would be the most important game of the clubs 16 year history. The game started as many had this season with the Bullets falling behind to an early touchdown. The extra point was blocked by an impressive team work between Olly Barrett and Kirk Dunn. The blocked kick was picked up by Jon Ward and returned all the way back for 2 points. This changed the momentum of the game in the Bullets favour and there was no real turning back. The Bullets went on to win their first ever National Championship 31 – 14 with 2 touchdowns from Alex ‘A-Bomb’ Gillespie, Dave ‘Dangerous’ Egbosimba, and Mike Adams.

As the final whistle blew for the 2006/07 season the Bullets not only picked up the College bowl, their team MVP Dave ‘Dangerous’ Egbosimba was awarded the League MVP trophy, and their Head Coach Matt Dyke was named BCAFL’s Coach of the Year. In the bowl program their was the 2006/07 all college teams that are made up of players voted in by other players. Kirk Dunn (SS), Mitch Turner (Centre), and Dave Egbosimba (RB) made the first team and Olly Barrett (DL) made the second team. Then at the U.W.E. awards the Bristol Bullets picked up the top award of Best Sports Club. A fantastic year for the club!