Oxford Saints 29  Redditch Arrows 14

Sunday 20th April 2003

The Arrows continued their poor start to the season with another disappointing performance in losing to Oxford Saints 29-14 at the weekend.  The Arrows going into the game heartened by their second half performance the previous week against in-form Bristol  failed to show the form that they are capable off and had a disastrous first half which saw them go in 23-6 down. 

The game started in dramatic fashion when on the 3^rd play of the game Oxford broke free and completed a 65 yard rush for an early 7-0 lead. Oxford then put the Arrows into deeper trouble with a 3yard run to open up a 13-0 deficit for the visiting team. 

The Arrows eventually got on the scoreboard late in the 1^st quarter when Arrows QB Richard Wilde completed an 8 yard pas to Rob Mann to make it 13-6. Oxford however immediately again extended their lead when a breakaway rush for 70 yards restored their lead to 20-6. 

The second quarter saw the Arrows begin to stop the Oxford offense, the only score being a field goal to make the half time score 23-6. 

As against Bristol the previous week, the Arrows began the second half in more determined mood. The Arrows defense stopped Oxford on its first drive and then completed a 13 consecutive rushing play drive to go 63 yards and a 1 yard Dave Mills touchdown. The drive, the best that the Arrows have produced this season saw Dave Mills carry the ball 9 time s for 41 yards and Anthony Perkins 4 times for 22 yards on the back of strong blocking by fullback Toby Rhodes. The Arrows further reduced the deficit when Mills ran in the 2 point PAT to make the score 23-12. 

The fourth quarter saw the Arrows desperately saw the Arrows trying to get back into the game. Oxford put the game away when  a 2 yard run saw them extend the lead to 29-14. The Arrows did find the end-zone late on for a score which was called back for an ineligible downfield penalty.  

On offense, Dave Mills had 71 yards on 20 carries, Anthony Perkins 59 yards on 11 carries. On Defense Andy McAnneney had 4 solo and 1 assisted tackles, Errol Perkins 2 and 5 Karl Watkins 1 & 6.

Rob Mann 8yd Reception

Dave Mills 1yd Rush