Redditch Arrows 20 Lancashire Wolverines 6

Sunday 14th May 2000

In scorching conditions, the Arrows maintained their undefeated run and beat Lancashire Wolverines for the second time in 2 weeks in another tense close matchup. This win leaves the Arrows 2 games clear at the top of the Division 2 Northern conference and firm favourites to take the title.

The Arrows had most of the early possession and a blocked punt set up the Arrows on the Wolverines 20yard line. Despite this good field position, the Arrows failed to capitalise on it and a missed 27yard saw the ball go back to Lancashire. The Arrows defense however was well in control at this stage and gave the back to its offense and which resulted in the Arrows opening the score when on 4^th and 1 from the 8yard line Arrows QB Richard Wilde ran a QB sneak for the opening Touchdown. Johnnson's extra point attempt was good and increased the Arrows lead to 7-0.

The rest of the half was evenly matched with neither team making any real progress. The Arrows however did get out of jail when following a fumble on its own 20yard line which Lancashire returned into the end-zone, the play was called back on a Lancashire penalty.

The third quarter saw Lancashire starting to move the ball, and which culminated in a 6 yard Touchdown pass to receiver Dan Bowles to reduce the score to 7-6. On the PAT again the Arrows got a break when Lancashire's successful kick was ruled out by penalty, and the resultant kick being missed.

The Arrows now starting to produce some of their best play of the game. Following an Danny Loyd interception and based on a strong running game the Arrows put together an excellent drive which culminated in a Dave Mills 4 yard rush to further extend the Arrows lead to 13-6. Nigel Johnson's successful PAT increased this to 14-6.

The Wolverines were now forced to play catch up football, however the Arrows excellent defense again held up Lancashire and forced them to punt on the 2 minute warning. Helped by a series of penalties by Lancashire, the Arrows quickly moved down field and sealed the game with Pete Morgan's 20 yard reception from Dave Stanton with 4 seconds remaining to make the final score 20-6.

Again this was a victory forged on the back of excellent defensive play, which gave the Arrows continued good field position and put pressure on the Wolverines QB all afternoon. Credit in the game goes to both the Arrows Offensive and Defensive Lines and to the Arrows defensive backfield for controlling the Wolverines passing attack.