Redditch Arrows 12  Norwich Devils 11

Sunday 30th July 2000

In a tense play-off game the Redditch Arrows narrowly defeated the Norwich Devils 12-11 to clinch a Semi-Final matchup against the unbeaten Ipswich Cardinals. The Arrows narrowly leading 12-3 going into the final 5 minutes hung on as the Devils came back strong to close the lead to 1 point. The game finally being won for the Arrows in the final minute when Arrows DB Danny Lloyd gained his second interception of the game to seal the Arrows victory.

The game started with Norwich making most of the running based on a strong rushing attack. This was however stopped when on deciding to go to air, a Norwich pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage by Arrows Defensive Tackle Alton Howell into the hands of Arrows LB Richard Wilby who sprinted 52 yards untouched for the opening score. The remainder of the half saw Norwich making inroads into Arrows territory only to consistently stopped by the Arrows defense. The only scoring coming on a Devils 32 yard Field Goal to leave the score at the half 6-3.

The second half finally saw the Arrows offense beginning to make some yardage. However, twice good drives were stopped by Arrows fumbles. The Arrows defense were now forcing the Devils offense into mistakes of their own, and which following a fumble recovery by Steve Jones saw the Arrows Offense start on the Devils 30yard line. The drive was completed when having been awarded 1^st and goal from the 2 yard line on a pass interference call, Simon Graham ran in to extend the Arrows lead to 12-3.

With time running out the Devils finally produced their best drive of the game, culminating in a 23yard Touchdown run to close the lead to 12-9. Opting for the 1pt PAT the Arrows managed to block the kick only to frustratingly see the ball recovered in the end-zone by a Devils player for a 2 point conversion and further reduce the lead to 12-11.

With 4 minutes remaining the Arrows now needed to run away the clock and keep possession to win the game. However following a 4^th and 3 attempt at the Arrows 45 yard line which had it been successful would have sealed the game, saw the ball turn over to the Devils. With 1 minute and no time outs remaining the Devils attempts to win the game was stopped on the key interception by Danny Lloyd with 20 seconds remaining.

The game was won mainly due to the efforts of the Arrows defense who again played to their normal high standards with 5 interceptions from Danny Lloyd (2), Karl Watkins, Stuart Ennis, and Richard Wilby and a fumble recovery by Steve Jones.