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The Arrows lost a thriller going down to Oxford Saints 20-18 on the last play of the game. Both teams started the first quarter in hesitant
form with defenses having the upper hand and forcing both teams to go 3 and out on their first few possessions. This resulted in a first quarter 0-0 stalemate.
The Arrows slowly took control in the second half and thanks to an Will Powell interception in the end zone and a Matt Sheldon fumble
recovery saw the Arrows take the lead. A 15 yard rushing touchdown from Dave Mills and another 15 yd run from Anthony Perkins gave the home team a commanding 12-0 lead. Oxford
however came back and almost reduced the lead when they missed a 38 yard field goal just before half time.
Oxford started the second half more strongly than Redditch and this was rewarded when they reduced the lead to 12-7 ona 20 yard run.
The Arrows responded when Richard Wilde went in from 8 yards on a quarterback bootleg play to give them an 18-7 lead.
The fourth quarter saw Oxford go all out to get back in the game. Following an injury delay they produced the play of the day with a 50
yard pass completion which set up an 8 yard rushing TD and a 18-13 lead.
The Arrows then drove down the field in an attempt to both run out the clock and get the score which would put Oxford away. With 2.30 left
the Arrows faced 4th and short and came up inches short. Oxford immediately went to the air and following several completions had 1st and goal on the Arrows 8 yard line with 1.05 left. 3 plays later they went in from 3yards to take the lead for the time at 20-18.
The Arrows were not finished however, following a good kick off return the Arrows managed to get off 4 quick plays in the last 35 seconds
to get the ball to the Oxford 20 yard line with 2 seconds left. The Arrows went for the field goal that would give them victory only to see the ball veer off to the left and a Saints
win.
The Arrows now have a 3 week break before back to back home games to finish off the season against Plymouth Admirals on the 20th July and South Wales Warriors on the 27th July.
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