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The Redditch Arrows maintained their excellent form of the season as they dispatched the Doncaster Mustangs by a
17-0 margin. However they were made to work for every yard by a spirited Mustangs team belying their current position in the standings and it wasn't until the second half that the Arrows
got any breathing room.
Redditch were made to hang on in the first quarter as they struggled to establish any kind of field position. A 53
yard Doncaster run put the Mustangs deep inside the Arrows red-zone, but the threat was ended by a Jim Mortimer sack. The Mustangs sustained their early pressure by blocking a Karl
Watkins punt and getting turnovers on a fumble and an interception but time and time again the Arrows outstanding defense were able to repel the attacks and keep Redditch in the game.
It wasn't until time was winding down in the first half that Redditch managed to get any momentum going. Several
runs by running back Dave Mills and a reception by Neil Solomon put the Arrows in position for a 21 yard field goal by kicker Jon Riddell for the days first points and a narrow 3-0 lead
for the Arrows.
The Arrows came out in the second half with renewed vigour as quarterback Richard Wilde began finding his targets.
Receiver Phil Grove got the drive underway with a 19 yard reception over the covering cornerbacks heads and several plays later was open again from 34 yards for the days first touchdown. By
now the Arrows offense was firing on all cylinders and on their next drive it was receiver Andy Kite who was on hand to catch Wildes next bullet, this time from 27 yards out to bring the lead
to 17-0.
Despite the deficit of the scoreboard the Mustangs continued to battle hard and following a 23 yard run and a pass interference penalty,
Doncaster found themselves with a 1st and goal on the Arrows 2 yard line. That was as close as Doncaster would get to scoring though as linebackers Andy Mortimer and Ian Looms both stopped runs in the backfield on consecutive plays, effectively preserving another shutout for the Arrows defense.
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