Postponed and forfeited games meant that the Destroyers had only played two games so far this season, meaning their first game of 2013 was away at Brighton against the Tsunamis who were also 3-0. With a long break between games and many players inactive for Portsmouth added to the fact that Brighton had also won all three of their games this season, this game was going to be too close to call.
Brighton started with the ball but Portsmouth’s defence weren’t allowing many yards so the ball was quickly turned over to Portsmouth to see what they could do. Portsmouth too couldn’t gain the yards they needed to convert their downs, unable to break through Brighton’s defence. Penalties were called on both players and coaches, causing frustration to both side-lines.
Both teams’ defences were playing strong through the first quarter, denying each other the yards to get downfield. Portsmouth missed two vital catches in the second quarter and Brighton almost intercepted a ball, but it slipped through both Portsmouth’s and Brighton’s hands.
The ball was turned back over to Brighton who ran the ball 55 yards down the field to add the first six points of the game. The one point conversion was blocked.Portsmouth’s offense were back on the field, but not for long as Brighton intercepted the ball, however they couldn’t make anything of it before the half-time whistle blew.
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The second half couldn’t have started worse for Portsmouth. The kick returner left the ball meaning it was Brighton’s for the taking who then jumped on it in the endzone to add another six points to their score. The two point conversion was good meaning Brighton were leading 14-0.
Portsmouth were back on offense mixing running and passing plays, but flags for holding and illegal blocking pushed them back down the field.
Brighton’s offense mixed passing and running plays to make their way downfield but also couldn’t convert to a first down.
The ball wasn’t back in Portsmouth’s hands for long as they fumbled it which was then recovered by Brighton. Brighton attempted a field goal which was blocked by Portsmouth’s Adam McClure meaning the Destroyers’ offense were back on. Using running plays, the Destroyers steadily made their way down field before quarterback Ben Clift threw to James Haggarty for their first touchdown of 2013. The PAT kick was no good.
With the score at 14-6, Portsmouth’s moods were lifted temporarily as Clift got the ball off to rookie Lewis Popely for a first down but it wasn’t long before Brighton’s defense stepped up their game and intercepted the ball once more. Despite five flags being thrown on Brighton, Portsmouth couldn’t make anything in the last minutes of the game and Brighton sacked Portsmouth’s quarterback to end the game and secure their win.
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