After finishing third in the Thames Valley Conference tables, Portsmouth had a chance at claiming the Challenge Trophy but they first had to beat the Bath Killer Bees at home, something which was going to be difficult after losing 22 players because of injuries. However, what might have been seen as an easy game last year, the Bees showed no sign of faltering as they, too, wanted the trophy.
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| Portsmouth's defence halt Bath (Photo- Dan Chesterton) |
The game started with flags being thrown against both teams but Bath were soon gaining yards and their running game was strong, pushing them into the end-zone and a successful kick meant the Killer Bees were leading 7-0. Portsmouth’s special teams were struggling against Bath, they had lost one of their key kick-returners but their other, Fola Dare, made a huge run with the ball to gain Portsmouth the yards that they needed to shake Bath’s nerves.
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| Fola makes a run to gain some yards (Photo-Dan Chesterton) |
The Destroyers shaped up their running game and between quarterback Ben Clift and running backs Brook Ince and Mani Gabiddon however, a flag on the field meant Bath had the ball back in their possession but not for long as Portsmouth forced a fumble which they were quick to recover.
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| QB Ben Clift has been making daring runs these past few games (Photo- Dan Chesterton) |
Portsmouth were using their running game once more in the second quarter but more flags meant Portsmouth were being pushed back into their own territory when the ball slipped out of their arms for a Bath recovery meaning Portsmouth’s defence were back on the field. The Killer Bees once more got the better of Portsmouth and managed to fight their way into the end-zone and a successful kick left the half-time score at 14-0 to Bath.
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| An interception by Bath resulted in another TD (photo- Dan Chesterton) |
The third quarter didn’t start any better for Portsmouth after a bad punt made its way into Bath’s possession and they were quick to take advantage and another 6 points were on the board against Portsmouth. Quarterback Ben Clift was injured during a play and stepped off for Simon Blow to take over but a bad throw led the ball straight into the arms of Bath who ran for another touchdown and extra point. In the fourth quarter Portsmouth managed to throw the ball into the safe hands of James Haggarty for their only score of the game, but the spirits were lifted knowing they weren’t going to be shut-out.
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| James Haggarty out-runs bath for Portsmouth's only TD (Photo-Dan Chesterton) |
An error by the officials meant Bath went for a field goal on their fifth down but Portsmouth managed to block which was then picked up and ran by Matt ‘Ron’ Doherty. As it became apparent that Portsmouth weren’t going to win, they bought on third-string quarterback Sam Forster who made completions that were becoming a rarity in Portsmouth’s throwing game but nothing came of them and the game ended 27-6 to Bath, Portsmouth’s biggest loss in over 18 games.
FINAL SCORE: KILLER BEES 27-6 DESTROYERS
Portsmouth were doing well before Christmas (undefeated for 15 games) and before the number of injuries increased rapidly, there is no doubt next year Head Coach, Russ Hewitt, will be making sure the boys are fit and healthy and not so prone to injuries for the next season so they can try and add another BUAFL trophy to their cabinet.
The Destroyers now bid farewell to 10 graduates whose shoes (or boots) will be hard to fill but recruitment next year should help fill the void.
