Destroyers v Burners

For the second game of ‘Hell Week’ the Destroyers travelled to Brunel for a Tuesday Night Lights fixture. Four generator powered floodlights attempted to light the field, but shadows still covered the majority and it was clear these conditions would make for an interesting game.

Brunel started the game with good momentum and soon they were close enough for a field goal which secured them the first three points of the game. Portsmouth’s offense responded strongly with quarterback #3 Ben Clift connecting with #83 James Haggarty for 31 yards and #8 Lewis Popely running for another 17, but the Destroyers couldn’t advance and the ball was turned back over.

Destroyer #41 Matt Doherty had other plans and intercepted Brunel’s first ball and gained 26 yards on top of it and when the ball was turned over once more, Doherty proved himself once again by picking up a fumble recovery meaning Brunel’s offense were denied from the field twice in a row.

Portsmouth’s offense were continuously denied yards and it was the defence who were shining at the start of the game, blocking Brunel’s attempted passes and forcing them to punt. After the punt, #8 Lewis made a huge run of 39 yards but the effort was wasted as Portsmouth fumbled the ball, on the next play, for Brunel to recover. 

Once again, it was the Destroyers’ defence’s time to deliver and certainly they did as #91 Steven Olajide and #74 Lloyd Scott sacked Brunel’s quarterback, once again forcing them to punt. The Destroyers had the ball once more and despite the dark conditions, went for a long pass from #3 Ben to #84 Immanuel Olawale Olaniregun which resulted in a 36 yard touchdown, the PAT failed.

With the score now at 6-3, Brunel responded by making their way down field until they thought they were close enough for another field goal to tie the score. But once again #41 Matt Doherty shone through and secured his chicken dinner by picking up the blocked ball and running it for over 90 yards for the longest touchdown run of the season. 

Passing the ball to #22 Chris Percival, the Destroyers got themselves another two points before the half-time whistle, leaving the score at 14-3 to Portsmouth. After a short half-time break (shortened due to the lights having to be turned off at 9pm) the second half was underway. It was a shaky start for Portsmouth as their offense failed to convert downs and they were forced to punt.

A few drives later the Destroyers once again showed that the dark was no problem for them as QB Ben Clift once again launched the ball, this time to #10 Gus Frazer for a 38 yard touchdown pass. Kicker #9 Glenn Burgess secured the 1 point conversion making the score 21-3 to Portsmouth.

Brunel felt the pressure and stepped up in the fourth quarter, intercepting a Portsmouth ball and driving their way into the endzone for their first touchdown of the game. The PAT failed meaning the score was 21-9 with mere minutes left on the clock. 

However, despite how long was left on the clock, the time was running out for the lights to remain on and the final whistle blew just before 9pm and the teams had to leave the field in the pitch black darkness.

FULL TIME: BURNERS 9- 21 DESTROYERS

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Destroyers v Stags

When it was announced that the Destroyers would be playing four games in seven days, the British American football community was shocked. Such intensity was unheard with many people asking if it was safe for the team. But this new schedule is necessary if the Destroyers want to complete their 2012/13 season and carry on their campaign to bring the trophy back. 

But the Destroyers took the news in their stride, sporting their new kit for the first time, they took to the field at Southampton for a Varsity matchup against the 6-1 Stags. The new Destroyers kit includes the words ‘Lest We Forget’ across the shoulders as a salute to the Cities Naval and Military heritage.

On their first drive of the game, the Destroyers made it down to the 25yard line for a field goal attempt but Southampton jumped high and blocked the kick, turning the ball over. Portsmouth’s defence were strong, denying the Stags many yards on their first drive. Once again, many flags were thrown during the game, proving frustrating to both sides.

Two drives by Southampton later, Portsmouth’s offense were back on and made their way downfield with steady running plays, with #22 Chris Percival contributing 19 yards before an 18 yard pass from quarterback #3 Ben Clift connected with #83 James Haggarty for the first, and only, points of the game. The PAT failed.

Southampton’s response was weak with their replacement quarterback failing to connect with a receiver and the Destroyers ended the half with a huge run by rookie running back #8 Lewis Popely… which was then cancelled by a holding flag.

The Destroyers’ spirits were high at half-time and when they returned to the field, they only had winning on their mind, and forced a fumble on Southampton’s second play which was recovered by #44 Abdullahi (Abs) Hamza.

The second half consisted of many turnovers, with Portsmouth’s ball being intercepted twice and Abs earning his chicken dinner by intercepting Southampton’s ball twice as well. Southampton’s luck was against them as the ball literally slipped through their fingers, unable to secure it for a score but it kept everyone on their toes.

Portsmouth’s defence stayed strong though the second half, shutting the Stags’ running game out and denying them a score. The final whistle blew, meaning the first Varsity win for The University of Portsmouth Destroyers was in the bag.

FULL TIME: STAGS 0- 6 DESTROYERS

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Destroyers v Tsunami

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.

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.

Full Time Score: Tsunami 14-6 Destroyers

Pictures can be found here

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A huge congratulations to...

Our #74 Lloyd Scott who has just been accepted onto the GB Lions Uni squad.

Here's some pics of him...

Lloyd @ OBU this year

Lloyd's assisted sack at OBU ended the game

During the Old Boys game

Trying his hand at QB

Collecting an award with ex HC Russ Hewitt

Well done Lloyd, you'll do great repping the U in Sweden!

Portsmouth Destroyers @ OBU Panthers

#45 Jack Valler scored 2 TDs

A frozen pitch at Oxford Brookes threatened to postpone another game for the Portsmouth Destroyers, who had only played one game so far this season. But the midday sun thawed the field out and the game was good to go.

Portsmouth’s defence showed that they had used their time off wisely; forcing two fumbles, recovering one and intercepting an OBU ball just in the first quarter.

#33 Kit Rawlings intercepts an OBU ball

The Panthers were struggling to gain yards and Portsmouth’s offense were soon back on the field. Portsmouth attempted a field goal (for the first time in six years) after struggling to get a first down. The kick went wide but it was refreshing to see a team trying something new in their game play.

Once their offence was back on the field, the Destroyers swiftly made their way through the Panthers’ defence to the endzone on a four yard run from running back Jack Valler who was on the field for the first time since being injured in January.

Portsmouth opted to go for a 1pt conversion with their new rookie kicker, Glenn Burgess. The successful kick secured them 7 points on the board.

The ball was then back in the Panthers’ possession but not for long as they fumbled the ball once more which Portsmouth recovered. It wasn’t long before the ball was turned back over to the Panthers and made their way to the endzone on a 42 yard running play. The PAT failed, meaning Portsmouth were ahead by just one point.

Portsmouth reacted strongly, mixing passing and running plays to gain the yards and move downfield and a 23yard touchdown pass got them another 7 points with another successful PAT kick.

Four plays later OBU fumbled the ball again and turned the ball over to Portsmouth who took a knee to end the half.

The second half started with a battle of the defences but it wasn’t long before OBU added another six points to the board from an 18yard passing play. The PAT was unsuccessful. Portsmouth then threw an interception which led OBU into the endzone once more. This time the PAT was good which meant OBU were leading 19-14.

The game heated up in the fourth quarter and OBU were once making their way to the endzone but the ball was intercepted, turning the ball over. Portsmouth then swiftly made their way downfield with completions on their passing plays and a 30yard pass got them down to the 9yard line.

Portsmouth then switched to running plays and Valler once more made his way to the endzone, putting the score at 20-19 to Portsmouth after the PAT failed. All Portsmouth had to do now was stop OBU from moving downfield, a challenge that the Destroyers’ defence took lightly, sacking the Panthers’ quarterback on the last play to secure them the game.

OBU now face the 3-0 Southampton Stags whilst Portsmouth face the 0-3 Surrey Stingers.

#74 Lloyd Scott sacks the QB and ends the game

Women's Flag Tournament

1st place- Hertfordshire Tornadoes

2nd place- Royal Holloway Bears

3rd place- Warwick Wolverines

4th place- Southampton Stags

5th place- Portsmouth Destroyers

Results:

Game 1 - Royal Holloway 14 - 12 Warwick

Game 2 - Hertfordshire 24 - 0 Southampton

Game 3 - Hertfordshire 27 - 0 Portsmouth

Game 4 - Southampton 6 - 12 Warwick

Game 5 - Southampton 6 - 19 Royal Holloway

Game 6 - Warwick 26 - 6 Portsmouth

Game 7 - Warwick 6 - 27 Hertfordshire

Game 8 - Portsmouth 14 - 26 Royal Holloway

Game 9 - Portsmouth 6 - 14 Southampton

Game 10 - Royal Holloway 13 - 18 Hertfordshire

More photos and the tournament report will be added once I have defrosted and had some sleep.

Tournament winners- Hertfordshire Tornadoes

Portsmouth Destroyers v Kingston Cougars

Even the sun was out to support the Portsmouth Destroyers in their first BUCS League fixture as they faced the Kingston Cougars.

After a minute’s silence for Remembrance Day the game was underway with Portsmouth kicking off.

The game started strong for the Destroyers who sacked the Cougars’ quarterback and running backs for negative yards.

When the ball was turned over and Portsmouth’s offence was on the field it wasn’t long before rookie running back Lewis Popely scored the first 6 points of Portsmouth’s season, the two point conversion failed.

For the rest of the first quarter it was a battle of the defences with penalties pushing both teams far back into their own yards.

In the second quarter the offences moved quickly down the field but were struggling to convert on fourth down.

After a few passing plays gained Portsmouth yards and moved them closer to the end-zone, quarterback Ben Clift connected with Taofeeq Adeyemi for six more points. Once more the two-point conversion failed.

The first half ended with an interception thrown Clift but the whistle was blown just as Portsmouth sacked the Kingston player.

Portsmouth’s running game was strong at the start of the 3rd quarter and Kingston’s defence couldn’t keep up but once again penalties were getting the better of both teams, with flags thrown for holding and illegal use of hands, common penalties for rookie players in their first game.

Kingston’s offence stepped up in the 4th quarter, mixing up passing and running plays for the yards they needed.
But even pushed back into their own yards wasn’t going to stop Kingston, a 90 yard run from a pass made sure they weren’t shut out and secured the team 6 points.

Injuries tainted Kingston’s game but their defence put up a fight throughout, making sure Portsmouth could only score 12 points which was the lowest winning score in the Thames Valley Conference this week.

Overall, Portsmouth’s passing game has improved vastly since last season gaining 97 yards in total and 104 yards through running but penalties accounted for 125 yards of Portsmouth’s game, which is something that needs to be worked on if they want to bring the trophy back.

FT SCORE: DESTROYERS 12-6 COUGARS

Portsmouth face the 1-1 Brunel Burners on the 24th November in an away fixture. Last time these teams met, the Destroyers won 20-0 but with Brunel working under a new coach and winning their first game 40-6, it’s anyone’s game.