(Image: Martin Preedy)
South Gloucestershire and Stroud College’s American Football side kept on track for sporting glory in emphatic style.
The SGS Pride team triumphed 28-6 over Portsmouth Destroyers to secure their place in Tuesday’s National Vase Cup final, ran by British Universities and Colleges Sport.
They will head to Loughborough University for the showpiece game against Brunel Burners in confident mood, following the resounding victory on the road as they cruised through their semi-final match at the Langstone Sports Village.
Quarterfinals MVP Adam Deverill, whose heroics helped Pride edge past Northumbria Mustangs, was at it again as he recorded another touchdown and made a huge contribution towards victory.
It was a long bus ride over to Langstone Sports Village, but it mattered not as the Stoke Gifford side fought to claim their spot in another final, following in the footsteps of their senior players who lifted the BUCS trophy last year.
Head coach Ben Herod’s SGS side got off to a flying start and would start off the scoring, with Owayne Montaque running through the Portsmouth defenders to get the six-point touchdown and put Pride in a commanding position.
Deverill then got in on the act with another eye-catching touchdown to extend Pride’s lead to a healthy 14-0, and Pride never really looked back despite giving their opponents a helping hand.
It would be an unfortunate fumble on the snap from Pride that gave Portsmouth an opportunity to make a run and ultimately get the touchdown from DeShawn Afilaka after taking advantage of the SGS slip.
(Image: Martin Preedy)
Nebechi Abana would also deliver a conversion to take Portsmouth up to eight points as they kept Pride in their sights.
But SGS would keep their hosts at bay by tightening their defence and running additional yards to keep clear water between the rival sides, which would be vital to stay in control for the rest of the contest.
It would be a run from Kacper Salik followed up by a touchdown from Corben Menton to take Pride to 28 points and confirm the outcome of the game, despite Portsmouth’s best efforts to match the score with Pride during the third quarter of play.
With Pride through to the finals, they’ll be matched up against Brunel Burners - a team who beat them during their last meeting in mid-November.
Pride, coached by Ben Herod, and the Burners will get a sporting bonanza under way ahead of BUCS Big Wednesday which brings together talent from all over the country, competing to become 2026 BUCS champions as 120 teams go for glory in 60 fixtures across 16 sports.