Destroyers v OBU Panthers at home

In their last match before Christmas, the Portsmouth Destroyers faced the 4-0 Oxford Brook’s Panthers. Once again, there was a referee shortage, meaning coaches from both teams had to step up, once more. There was an eerie atmosphere at Lanstone; the boys were eager to prove that they could improve their game and no more ‘hell Tuesdays’ (brutal training sessions) were needed. As this was a home game, the Destroyers were supported by Portsmouth’s cheerleading squad, who were making sure the boy’s egos remained intact.

The Destroyers faced the 4-0 Panthers

The first quarter started well for the Destroyers after a 28yd pass from quarterback Ben Clift was caught by wide receiver Taofeeq Adeyemi for his first touchdown as a Destroyer. A further 2 points were added by running back Tomi Olusanya, leaving the 1^st quarter score at 8-0 to the Destroyers. However, the OBU Panthers soon retaliated during the second quarter with a 33yd field goal, giving them 3 points on the board, which was to be the only score during the second quarter.

After a quick word from the coaches and a swift performance from the cheerleaders, the teams were back on the field for the third quarter, both determined to improve on their first half performance. Once more the Destroyer’s offensive-line were failing at letting their offense get vital yards. A few fumbles and failed interceptions later, running back Brook Ince made a 5yd touchdown run for a further 6 points for Portsmouth. The 2 point conversion failed, but Portsmouth were still leading by 11 points.

Brook Ince scoring a TD

The fourth quarter also included a few failed interceptions from Portsmouth, letting the ball literally slip through their fingers. But the wait soon paid off and Brook Ince made another run, this time for 7yds, for his second touchdown of the game. Once more, the 2 point conversion failed, but with the clock still running, it didn’t look like the Panthers could bring it back. Laurence Pestell won not 1 but 2 chicken dinners for his outstanding performance on the field and Anthony ‘Afo’ Black also performed exceptionally making at least 5 vital tackles.

The Destroyers now enter their long Christmas break at 4-0 before their training starts again in January and they face the Team Solent Redhawks away on the 5^th February (the same day as the NFL Superbowl!)

Final score- Destroyers 20- 3 OBU Panthers

The Destroyers' Rookies of 2011

As you should know by now, the Portsmouth Destroyers are reigning BUAFL Champions! However, this obviously put huge pressure on the Rookies signing up this year. 36, in total, made it on to the team, meaning they outnumber the experienced players. After catching up with Head Coach Russ Hewitt, I found out who his 'ones to watch' were and asked these questions (as well as a bonus question each!):
1- Why did you join the Destroyers?
2- Did you know they were champions before you joined?
3- What has been your favourite game so far?

So, in numerical order...
Running Back #1 Folahanmi Dare: 

Fola playing @ BNU

1.  I joined the Destroyers because I'm an American Football player by nature [Fola is from New York]. I've played for well over a decade and I love the sport, so coming to a university that had a team was not even a question for me
2. I knew they were champions after following their season on the BUAFL website
3. My favourite game so far has to be against the BNU Buccaneers. I scored my first two touchdowns and I feel I really came out of my shell and showed the team my potential and game-day persona, which seemed to surprise a few people

What's your favourite thing about being a destroyer? My favourite thing about being a Destroyer is the confidence I have in my team-mates and coaching staff to alsways work hard and in turn benefit outselves as a unit. WHO DEM BOYS?! 

Dami playing the Panthers (far left)

Tight End #18 Damilola Oyinlola: 

1. I joined because I like the sport, a friend encouraged me to join... and I get to hit people [Ree- o_0]
2. Yeah, I did know they were champions
3. Favourite game was against Oxford Brook's Panthers because we really stepped up and I got to start.

Do you believe the Destroyers can claim the title again this year? Yeah, we can. The team wants to, we'll work hard and we'll make it happen!

Edd playing Brunel @ home

Outside Linebacker #52 Edd Hunt 

1. I've followed American Football for a number of years, but never had the chance to play it, so when I saw Portsmouth had a team, I had to get involved.
2. I didn't know they were champions before I came to uni, but I found out at Fresher's Fayre
3. My favourite game has to be against the Brunel Burners, to finally put the kit on and start the first game of the season was amazing!

American Football doesn't have the best reception in this country, what would you say to the people who put it down? I believe that people are getting the wrong idea of the sport completely. UK spectators tend to give the game 'stick' due to the long games and constant stop/starting of a match. But what most spectators don't reaslie is that the only game they tend to see is the Superbowl, which is much longer that a regular game and that the stop/starting of the game allows players to be more explosive! When you consider the size of the players compared to other sports, it's ridiculous that they can play at such a speed!

Defensive Lineman #77 Jack Valler

Jack running on field @Imperial

1. I used to play Semi-pro rugby and I've always thought American Football would be a good game to play, and when I heard that they Destroyers were national champions and the rugby team weren't so good, I thought I'd give it a go.
2. I knew they were champions, but only because I asked around people who play in the summer teams
3. The game against Imperial Immortals has to be my favourite. I got around 10 tackles, 1 sack, a safety and a couple of forced fumbles, it wasn't the team's best game but I thought I performed well.

What American Football team do you support and who's your favourite player?

Green Bay Packers [Ree- yeah boi!]  or Baltimore Ravens. Clay Matthews [GB Packers' #52 linebacker]

Taofeeq @Imperials

Wide Receiver #80 Taofeeq Adeyemi: 

1. I joined because I wanted to try out a new sport and American Football seemed like the most fun
2. I didn't know the Destroyers were champions until after I joined!
3. My favourite game so far has been against the Imperial Immortals because it was the first game that I got quite a lot of game time on.

Were you put off at all after hearing that the Destroyers were champions? Did you feel added pressure? When I found out that they were champions, my first thought was obviously this team is very good. So at first I just wanted to try and do as best as I could. As it got closer to the beginning of the season, I wanted to do as best as I could in order for the coaches to see my potential and get myself a starting position.

Wide Receiver #82 Lee Watson

Lee playing Brunel @ home

1. The main reason I joined is because I love the sport, I've been following it all my life and played a little before univeristy. Also, it was clear during the taster session and training camp that we've got good coaches that are always going to push us to be better, and I enjoy a challenge. The sport is different to any other sport out there, you won't find a more team-oriented sport, which makes for a good atmosphere both on and off the pitch. It's fun and a laugh being part of the Destroyers. I also want to win a national championship as my brother won 2 whilst at uni... so I'm looking to get 3! [No pressure boys!]
2. I did know the Destroyers were champions before joining
3. My favourite game so far has been the game against the Brunel Burners as it was my first game as a Destroyer and it was a home game, so I had friends and family watching.

How are you finding balancing both university and football? I find it fairly easy to be honest. Being a fresher, there's not too much work and most of my course is test based so I don't have much coursework, which saves a lot of time.


The boys still have work to do as a whole, and they're not done proving themselves yet! Let's hope the hard work pays off and these boys help give the Destroyers a national championship title once more!

Destroyers @ Immortals

Gale force winds, transport troubles and a referee shortage were all threatening the game. But, luckily the Destroyers finally made it to London, coaches from both teams volunteered their services to referee and the wind… well, you can’t have it all.

#9 Tomi Olusanya scoring a 60yd TD

Portsmouth started the first quarter with an amazing 60 yard run from Tomi Olusanya giving them 6 points on the board. The 2pt conversion failed. The Immortals quickly retaliated with their own touchdown and 1pt conversion, leaving the first quarter’s score 6-7 to Imperial.

The second quarter started with Portsmouth struggling, yet again, to gain yards, but this wasn’t going to bring them down and soon #77 Jack Valler forced the Immortals’ Quarterback into their end zone for a 2pt safety. Then, once again, Tomi had his hands on the ball and made another incredible run, this time for 70 yards and another touchdown with a 2pt conversion. Portsmouth’s mood must have been lifted by this as they were now getting the precious yards they needed. Swiftly after, #1 Folahanmi Dare fought his way into the end zone to add another touchdown to Portsmouth’s score and Anthony ‘Afo’ Black successfully converted for a further 2 points. Portsmouth were also denying Imperial vital yards, mainly through Jack Valler’s impressive tackles and even sacking a few of their players, leaving the score at half-time 24-7 to the Destroyers.

The second half began with ‘Afo’ gaining Portsmouth crucial yards but Portsmouth’s O-line were failing at blocking their men. Some harsh words from Head Coach should shape them up for the next game. Portsmouth’s defence were still denying Imperial yardage and even giving them negative yards towards the end of the second half. 

Some confusion about the running clock (in place due to the referee shortage) meant the game finished early and Portsmouth could celebrate their win and be home in time for dinner. Jack Valler won the team’s ‘chicken dinner’ award due to his fantastic performance during the game, denying Imperial the plays and points they needed.

Head Coach, Russ Hewitt, said of the game ‘We’re proud to be undefeated and beat the 3-0 Immortals.

The Destroyers are now 3-0 and face the Oxford Brooke’s Panthers at home on 4^th December.

FULL TIME SCORE: DESTROYERS 26-7 IMMORTALS

Chicken Dinner Winner- #77 Jack Valler

Destroyers at Buccaneers

As the Destroyers came face-to-face with one of the few teams who got points against them last season, it was obvious that this game was going to be a good one. It certainly did not disappoint the spectators, one of whom was TV Presenter Vernon Kay.

A minute’s silence was held before kick-off for Remembrance Sunday and all players wore a poppy on their helmet to show their respect. 

BNU opened the scoring with a 2 point safety after a bad punt from Portsmouth, the only score in the 1^st quarter. The Destroyers were a man down during the start of the 2^nd quarter, #22 Chris (Ches) Percival dislocated his shoulder and was taken to hospital.

But the Destroyers weren’t shaken and Tomi Olusanya scored a touchdown and a 2 point conversion. This was quickly retaliated by a short touchdown from BNU as well as a 2 point conversion; they were leading the score board 10-8.

Their glory didn’t last long thanks to a 25 yard touchdown run from Simon (TeBlow) Blow, the 2 point failed but Portsmouth were leading. Just before the half-time whistle, within the space of just 4 plays, running back Folahami Dare scored two touchdowns, with Brooke Ince successfully converting the first 2 points, the half-time score was 26-10 to the Destroyers.

The 2^nd half was fairly un-eventful, with only a few flags thrown (a welcomed change from last week’s game) and no score until the last 40 seconds of the game. However, an injury for BNU saw another player taken to the hospital, this time with a suspected broken leg.

BNU closed the game with a short running touchdown and the final score was 26-16 to Portsmouth. The Destroyers’ defence certainly stepped up this week, blocking many attempts by BNU, but after gaining only 177 yards throughout the game, it seems Portsmouth need to work on their offence.

Destroyers now enjoy a week off before facing the top of the league Imperial Immortals on the 27^th November.

FULL-TIME SCORE: DESTROYERS 26-16 BUCCANEERS

Destroyers promote American football in the UK

After winning the BUAFL championship, it would be insane to think that the Portsmouth Destroyers would have a ‘quiet’ summer. In fact, the boys and their coach have been very busy in their ‘time off’ to help promote the sport of American Football in the UK.

Shortly after claiming the trophy, the Portsmouth Destroyers were approached by the NFL (pro- American Football League) to take part in a corporate sponsor with Best Buy UK and their partnership with the NFL international series, hosted in London on the 23rd October. Two players from the Destroyers were picked to take part in a photo-shoot and even help out Best Buy with deliveries. Ian Boyton, Sponsorship and Events Manager at Best Buy UK, said “it’s hugely exciting for all of us at Best Buy to be developing this new partnership with the NFL here in the UK.”

As well as getting their name out there through the power of advertising, the team also embraced the power of the internet and released a documentary. Chris Richards, a Southampton graduate and ex- Southampton Stags and Solent Redhawks player, approached Destroyers Head Coach, Russ Hewitt with the idea of creating his own version of HBO’s ‘Hard Knock’ documentaries, which look inside pre-season training camps. Chris went along to the Destroyers’ training for four days and filmed behind the scenes, highlighting the ups and downs of being the best university football team in the country. The end result was released in June 2011 and has since had 50,000 views from all over the globe.

But it wasn’t just the players who were busy keeping the Destroyer’s name fresh through the summer, Head Coach, Russ Hewitt was invited to the House of Commons to help the APPG (All-Party Parliamentary Group) raise awareness of the sport in the UK and get official recognition from the British government. Among those in attendance were also coaches from British teams such as the London Blitz and Exmouth Raptors and representatives of NFL teams the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Chicago Bears. The British American Football Association chairman, Gary Marshall, said “this is a fantastic initiative and for those of us involved in developing the sport here, it is great to know that we now have a voice in Parliament.”

Getting the sport more well-known over here is going to be an on-going challenge, but it seems that the Destroyers are doing more than their fair share to help.

Follow their journey on their Facebook Page. You can watch the team’s documentary at http://vimeo.com/24269307

Brunel Burners extinguished – but work to be done

As reigning BUAFL (British Universities American Football League) national champions, the Portsmouth Destroyers have the highest of standards.
So when Portsmouth took to the field for the first game of the 2011/12 campaign against the Brunel Burners on the 6th November, the atmosphere was tense and the nerves were showing on the rookies’ faces.

The game got off to a shaky start with both teams losing precious yardage due to flags thrown. But it was Portsmouth who opened the scoring with a touchdown by Brook Ince, swiftly followed by a conversion for an added two points.
Anthony Olawale scored another touchdown for Portsmouth shortly after, but the conversion failed. There was no score in the second quarter, but once again, a lot of flags were thrown for personal fouls, proving irritating for both teams.

The second half got off to a good start with quarterback Ben Clift throwing a four yard touchdown to tight-end Elliot Howes, though once again the conversion failed. Brunel’s frustration began to show and the players started exchanging harsh words with each other; they wanted to beat the champions as much as Portsmouth wanted to prove themselves. But as the whistle blew for the start of the fourth quarter it was apparent that they weren’t going to make a comeback.

There was no score in the fourth, meaning Portsmouth had their first win in the bag, but the atmosphere wasn’t as celebratory as it should have been. This could have been down to first game rustiness which meant the Destroyers weren’t on their top form, but they know they have a lot of improvement to do if they want to repeat their performance from last year and retain their champion status.

Destroyers celebrate their win with some chicken!

Intro

Hi there, first of all, thanks for visiting!
I thought I'd start this blog as it'd be a way for me to post things I've been writing. So, before I start here's a little about me:
My name's Rhianna, I'm 20 and I study Journalism and Media at Portsmouth Uni. I love American Football, more specifically the Green Bay Packers (hence the colour scheme). This summer, I was asked by BAFA to help raise the awareness of the sport here in the UK and since, I have been writing for different magazines and media outlets to try and increase the popularity of the sport.
I am currently focusing on my university's team- The Portsmouth Destroyers (BUAFL Champions 2010/11).
On this blog you'll find me writing about them and maybe other teams within BUAFL or NFL.
Feedback is always welcome.
Enjoy!
P.s. Here's a photo of me 'tebowing' by my home town's only tourist attraction