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In scorching conditions a greatly depleted Arrows squad made the long trip North to take on experienced Gateshead Senators
only to see a gallant effort fail with a 20-0 defeat. In this, the first game of the regular season, the Arrows, who were missing the services of 9 of their regular starting line, up fought valiantly
throughout the match only to see the Senators score 3 late touchdowns to seal the win. The Arrows starting with only 23 players shared the honours in the first half holding Gateshead to a 0-0 half time
score with neither team having great success in moving the ball and with both defenses controlling most of the play. The Arrows squad size problems worsened shortly after the start with a 3 further
players becoming injured and unable to continue.
The second half continued in this vein with the deadlock finally being broken late in the 3rd quarter when a blocked punt gave the Senators their best field position of the day on the Arrows 8 yard line. This advantage was soon capitalised on when a 4 yard rush the senators took a 6 point lead.
In the fourth quarter the senators extended this lead with a further 4 yard rush, with a successful 2 point conversion and a final 3yard rushing
touchdown with 8 seconds to go finishing the scoring.
On Offense, Richard Wilde ran 5 times for 28 yards, Anthony Perkins 10 times for 40 yards and Dave Mills 16 times for 45 yards. On Defense Karl Watkins
had 5 unassisted tackles and 2 assisted, Steve Jones had 4 and 6. Martin Hill and Richard Fraser both recorded sacks and Simon Williams, Anthony Perkins and veteran Ron Gifford all had interceptions.
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