|
The Redditch Arrows opened what promises to be a very successful season on Sunday, with a preseason encounter
against the Nottingham Caesars. Both teams showed good early season form at various points of the match, although similarly, both coaching staffs will be keen to return to the training pitch to
iron out some glitches in performance that are inevitable after several months out of action.
Redditch picked up where they left off last season on their first play from scrimmage, with a long bomb from
quarterback Richard Wilde finding receiver Neil Solomon streaking down the sideline and in for the games opening touchdown. The play of Solomon was one of the Arrow's bright spots on the day,
making an impact receiving, returning kicks, and on the occasional end-around play. Richard Wilde would later add a score of his own on a 5-yard bootleg, faking the Caesars defence to perfection.
Following a great off-season of recruitment, the Arrows find themselves with the luxury of a squad with quality
reserves in multiple positions, none more so than at tailback where last seasons stalwarts of Dave Mills, Ian Lakin and Marc Collett have been joined by Errol Wilson and Lee Lattimer. All five
players had spells with the ball in their hands, and it was Lakin and Mills who were on hand to score short range touchdowns. The scoring being completed by a Fumble recovery in the endzone by Matt
Sheldon.
As the second half wore on, Redditch tried multiple combinations of personnel on both sides of the ball as the coaching staff
evaluated players for the regular season. Back-up quarterback Martin Huburn was one of several players new to the club who caught the eye. These substitutions enabled the Caesars to come
back into the game, producing a more competitive match and a final score of 34-19.
|
