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The Redditch Arrows were pushed all the way on Sunday by old rivals The Chester Romans, but were able to emerge
victorious with a passionate - and prolonged - 4th quarter performance.
It was the Romans who started the game in better shape, as the opening kick-off was run back 36 yards into Arrows
territory. From there a 24 yard pass from quarterback Steve Waite was taken down to the Arrows 7-yard line, followed shortly after by runningback James Tootle running the ball off left
tackle for a five yard gain and the opening touchdown. The point after conversion (PAT) was unsuccessful, and left the score at 6-0 to the hosts.
Despite adverse weather conditions the Arrows went straight to the air on their first play from scrimmage, and
were rewarded when wide receiver Steve Bell snared Richard Wilde's long pass, and ran unimpeded into the endzone from 48 yards out. This quick repost was completed when Kicker John
Riddell tacked on the extra point to put the Arrows in the lead 7-6.
The end of the first quarter saw the Arrows slowly gaining the upper hand in the territorial battle, thanks
in no small part to safety Andy McAnenny's thunderous tackle that knocked the ball from the Romans ball-carrier. However momentum swung early in the second quarter as a rush
of blood to the head resulted in two personal foul penalties and an Arrows defensive player ejected. This transfer of momentum eventually resulted in punter Karl Watkins being
unable to clear a punt, with the Romans Mike Paling scooping up the loose ball and heading into the endzone to retake the lead. Peter Tootle ran in the 2-point conversion to leave the
score 14-7 to the Romans at the half.
As the weather deteriorated in the second half, both teams turned to the running game, with running backs Ian
Lakin (9 carries for 68 yards) and Dave Mills (17 for 83) both moving the chains for the Arrows. The last play of the third quarter was a crucial 4th and 2 on the Romans 12-yard line,
which Mills managed to convert by a matter of centimetres. Unfortunately Romans linebacker Richard Colley was injured on the play, needing several minutes of attention.
Mills was now hitting his stride and from the 10 yard line it took him 3 carries to score his first touchdown of
the season. A brave decision by Head Coach Ian Hill saw the Arrows eschew the PAT kick for the tie, and go for the 2-point conversion for the win. Mill's number was called again,
and it was he who put the arrows into the lead 15-14 with a 2 yard blast up the middle.
By this time the Romans injured player had to be taken to hospital, and the resultant absence of
the stand-by ambulance meant a 45-minute delay to the game. Once the game resumed, another defensive stand by the Arrows left the offense with the ball, and 7-and-a-half minutes to run
out the clock. On 3rd and short, QB Richard Wilde surprised the Romans defence by going to the air, finding receiver David Faulkner who beat single coverage to race in from 62
yards away, and give the Arrows the breathing space they required. John Riddell again added the extras, bringing the final score to 22-14 to the Arrows, and leaving them on top of
Division 2 - Central.
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