To say that the Ostend Pirates were underdogs in Belgian Bowl XXIX this past weekend would definitely be an understatement. The Pirates used that underdog feeling to outlast the defending champion Brussels Black Angels 16-15 at Puyenbeke Stadion in Sint-Niklaasand win the Belgian title for the first time.
In their first ever appearance in the Belgian championship game the Pirates downed a Black Angels team who had beaten them twice during the regular season, 49-7 and 21-17. The Black Angels had entered the final undefeated averaging 38 points a game while allowing a mere 4 points a game. The Pirates finished the regular season at 3-3.
The stage was set for Brussel’s march to the title again.
However Ostend had other ideas.
The Pirates relied on a stingy defense in keeping the powerful Black Angels offense at bay while quarterback Benedict Vermaut threw for one touchdown and ran one in for another in leading Ostend to their historic win.
Defensive back/receiver Bas Laleman had two interceptions and caught a 14 yard touchdown pass to help the Pirates.
In a sloppy game which saw the defenses of both teams force a total of seven turnovers (four interceptions, three fumbles and a blocked punt), the Pirates took a 16-7 halftime lead and then held on for the win. Brussels scored a third quarter touchdown as running back Arkad Merschout scampered in from 20 yards out to close the gap to 16-13.
Then the Black Angels blocked a punt in the end zone forcing a safety to bring them to within one point 16-15.
However, that were the only points they could muster despite having an offensive advantage. They drove deep into Pirates territory twice more in the second half without scoring another point, missing a field goal which would have given them the win.
Source: Gridiron Belgium