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In a great advert for British American Football, the Redditch Arrows saw their unbeaten run end in
dramatic fashion with a 20-21 loss to the in-form Oxford Saints.
The Arrows leading 20-13 going into the fourth quarter, saw victory snatched from them in the last 3 minutes of the game when a Saints
Touchdown coupled with a successful 2 point conversion saw the visitors gain the win that they needed to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The Arrows opened the game in explosive fashion when two early touchdown passes to Arrows receiver Pete Morgan from 28 and 8 yards saw the
Arrows open up an early 12-0 lead. The Saints however were soon back in the game when a 50 yard scramble from QB Mayers set up Brian Myers for a 3 yard rush to bring the score back to
12-6.
Both teams were now moving the ball with some consistency, however Oxford finally gained the initiative and a further 1 yard run from Myers
coupled with the successful PAT gave Oxford a close 13-12 half time lead.
The second half started as the first half with the Arrows moving the ball based mainly on a strong rushing attack. This was rewarded with a
50 yard TD rush from Arrows running back Anthony Perkins to give them a 18-13 lead. The Arrows attempted a 2 point conversion and again Perkins went in to extend the lead to 20-13.
The Arrows offense was now in control and coupled with key defensive interceptions from Anthony Perkins and Pete Reeves saw them twice with
the ball inside Oxford's 5 yard line. On both occasions however the Arrows failed to capitalise on this and to extend their lead. This was to be the turning point in the game as following
this the Saints produced the drive of the game going 95 yards for the winning score. The drive was completed on Brian Mayers 2 yard TD run to bring the visitors to within 1 point. Declining
the 1 pt PAT attempt which would have tied the game, the Saints attempted the more the more difficult 2 pont attempt, this bravery being rewarded with the points that gave them the win.
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