By Brad Duff
The Portsmouth Destroyers, who are coming off a 24-16 victory over a very strong Bournemouth Bobcats side, will take on the Loughborough Students, whose Northern Final against the previously undefeated Leeds Gryphons came quite literally down to the last second, with the Gryphons’ Louis Cooper being stopped inches short of the endzone as time expired.
Loughborough’s Bailey Man will lead his offense out to take on the all-round dominant Portsmouth defense, who managed to keep Bournemouth – an offence who averaged over 27 points per game this season – out of the endzone for three quarters in their semi-final matchup.
The Great Britain and Loughborough quarterback has displayed his international caliber play this season, including a five touchdown, 400-yard performance against Sheffield Hallam. On the other side of the ball, Loughborough have averaged only eight points conceded per game played, including two defensive shutouts.
LIVESTREAM BUCS DIV. 1 title game: Portsmouth Destroyers vs Loughborough Students, March 21, 15:00 CET (3 pm, 2 pm GMT, 10 am EDT)
The Destroyers are nothing to take lightly, however, coming off a game in which they started with three consecutive defensive turnovers. On top of this, the Destroyers had a great game offensively, scoring through the air, on the ground and on special teams. Quarterback Nathan Harvey found Harry Dickinson in the endzone twice, highlighting them as a duo to watch on Tuesday, while Loughborough’s receiving corps – featuring playmaker Dean Gabriel-Ojo and CFL prospect tight-end Henry Rowland – will be sure to make an impact.
Despite Portsmouth boasting a +101 points differential, the undefeated Loughborough Students hold the record advantage, gliding through the Tier 1 Midlands division with very little struggle.
With both teams already having secured promotion to the Premiership, they will battle it out in Nottingham with the aim of being crowned Division 1 champions.