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The Redditch Arrows opened the new American football season with an impressive 34-14 win over old rivals Nottingham Ceasars on Sunday. The Arrows
fielding virtually a new look team from last year showed that the optimism that has been present during pre-season training has been justified and that based on this performance 2003 should see the club
challenging for honours again.
The game started in dramatic fashion with the Caesars returning the opening kick off 70 yards to set up a 5yard rush for an early 7-0 lead. The Arrows
immediately responded when a fine drive from their own 20 yard line culminated in Arrows QB Richard Wilde connecting with Anthony Perkins for a 28yard pass and to reduce the lead to 7-6. The
Caesars regained the initiative when an Arrows fumble left them in excellent field position which they converted into a 14-6 lead on a 9yard Pass.
The half ended with the home team trailing 14-6 at the half, a lead well deserved by Nottingham based on the overall performance to that
point.
The second half started with the Arrows in more confident mood. Whilst the Ceasars shaded the first half, the second was dominated by the home team.
This improvement ended with the Arrows reducing the lead to 2 points when Perkins went in for his second score on a 19yard run late in the third quarter.
Going into the fourth quarter and with the advantage of the wind the Arrows finally went to the air. A series of completed passes saw them drive down
the field to the half way line whereupon Wilde again connected with Perkins for a sensational 45 yard pass and to give them the lead for the first time in the game at 19-14.
The Arrows defense was now in full flow and was causing the Caesars to have problems in putting together any consistent offense. An interception and 20
yard return by Will Slimming set up the Arrows deep in their opponents half and Perkins again ran in from 20 yards for his and the Arrows fourth score of the day and a crucial 26-14 lead.
The Caesars, with time running out, again tried to move the ball only to see the Arrows force a fumble recovery on the Caesars 13 yard
line. Dave Stanton back in the team following a return from retirement immediately handed the ball off to Brian Bennett for a 13 yard rushing touchdown and followed it up with finding Oliver Tomlinson in
the end zone for a 2point PAT and a final score of 34-14.
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