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The Redditch Arrows made no mistake in their quest for home field advantage for the playoffs on Sunday, as they
despatched the Reading Renegades by a convincing 44-0 score line. Heading into the game the Arrows knew that a win coupled with their Defense conceding less than 23 points would be enough to
see them home, and avoid any potential long-distance trips north of the border during the playoffs.
In an ideal first quarter for Redditch, a punishing ball-control running attack meant that the Arrows Defense
faced only 3 plays. Superb blocking by the offensive line of left tackle Conor Costigan, left guard Martin Hill, centre Stuart Potts-Perkins, right guard James Smith and right tackle Richard
Smith (later assisted by Gary Matthews and Trevor Ballinger) enabled runningback Dave Mills to gain several long runs before he opened the scoring with a 6-yard burst up the middle. The extra
point attempt by kicker John Riddell was blocked.
In the second quarter a promising Arrows drive was foiled when quarterback Richard Wilde was intercepted on 4th
and goal from the 5-yard line. However it wasn't long before Redditch were knocking on the door again, and from 6 yards out it was Mills' number that was called once more as he ran the ball
in off right tackle. Staying with the form runner, workhorse Mills added to his tally with the two point conversion to bring the half time score to 14-0.
With an eye towards important encounters yet to come, Head Coach Ian Hill used the second half to rest some
starters while maintaining the intensity required to achieve the day's goals. The offense was given excellent field position when safety John Ward batted an errant Renegades pass right into
team-mate Andy Mortimer's hands, who then returned the ball 29 yards downfield. Minutes later, the Arrows were celebrating again as Dave Mills ran in his 3rd touchdown of the day from the 4
yard line. Kicker John Riddell this time had no problems with the conversion. As the third quarter progressed backup quarterback Alan Harris took over the reins of the Arrows offence, and it
was he who scored the next touchdown on a trademark bellyflop from inches out - although the ball only made it over the goal line by the narrowest of margins. With Riddell adding the
conversion, the score line read 28-0 to the Arrows.
The final quarter of action saw the defense snuffing out any Reading threats, thanks to the sterling play of
defensive ends Noel Fischer (5 tackles, 2 sacks) and Matt Sheldon (4 tackles, 0.5 sacks), whilst the offense continued to move the ball on the ground and would end the day with a season high
360 yards on 55 carries. Veteran Dave Mills completed his fine day with a career best fourth touchdown run on a 2 yard plunge, with Riddell converting for a 35-0 lead. Fellow running back
Mark Collett increased the Arrow's lead further with his own 3 yard scamper in the dying minutes, with kicker Riddell again tacking on the extra point. The final margin of victory was sealed
when, on the games final play, a wild snap resulted in the Renegades having to recover the ball in their own endzone conceding a two point safety and a 44-0 final score.
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