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The Arrows were left to rue missed opportunities on Sunday as their fourth
quarter comeback effort against the visiting West Coast Trojans fell agonisingly short. It is the Glasgow based team who now hold the upper hand in the race for the Division 1 - North title
after a thrilling encounter that finished with a final scoreline of 28-26.
The match got off to a blistering start in the first quarter when, after an
early exchange of possession, Arrows running back Errol Wilson sprinted down the left sideline from 54-yards out, leaving several tacklers diving at thin air. Unfortunately the extra point
effort by kicker John Riddell was blocked, so the score was left 6-0 to the home side. This score spurred the Trojans into action on their following drive, as a 40-yard pass set up a 4-yard
touchdown run, however the visitors' special teams similarly were unable to convert. By now both offences were beginning to pick up momentum, but after an 8-play, 45-yard Redditch drive the
Trojans defence held firm on 4th-down to take over possession. As the second quarter began, a 34-yard misdirection play took West coast down to the Arrows red-zone, and from 14-yards out a
simple run up the middle took the Trojans to their first lead of the day. This time the 2-point conversion was successful on a pass to the corner of the endzone for a 14-6 Trojan lead.
Another long drive by Redditch (this time 9 plays) was brought to an abrupt end
as a wayward pass from quarterback Richard Wilde was intercepted and returned 33-yards to set up the visitors in excellent field position once more. The Arrows vaunted defence were up to the
task this time though as they forced a long field goal attempt that drifted wide as the half came to a close.
The first drive of the second half saw more elusive running from running back
Errol Wilson. On 3rd and 9 from their own 19-yard line, a short screen pass was turned upfield behind some excellent blocks, and taken the whole 71-yards to the endzone. Yet again however,
the conversion was not made so the Arrows remained two points adrift. A lack of concentration on the ensuing play saw another long touchdown play, this time on a 60-yard West Coast run, and
with the extra point kick being successful, the visitors led by a 21-12 scoreline. This lead could have been extended following a recovered fumble by West Coast, but a James Chattoe sack
forced a long field goal attempt which was some way off-target. However the field advantage was put to good use on the Trojans' next drive as a 44-yard pass and then a 28-yard pass were
utilised to extend the West Coast lead to 28-12, heading into the final quarter.
Showing great resolve and team-spirit on both sides of the ball, the Arrows were able to score
two touchdowns in the final quarter. The first was set up after a muffed punt by West Coast's Gary McNey was recovered by linebacker Dan Shaw. Errol Wilson scored his third TD of the day from
18 yards out on the ground, and with Wilson adding the 2-point conversion on a run up the middle, meant that the Arrows were now only 8 points behind. With time winding down Richard Wilde
fired a 50-yard pass to receiver Phil Grove, who danced his way down to the 1-yard line, and from there it was a Wilde who dived over for the touchdown to bring the Arrows to within two
points of tying the match. On the crucial play of the game it was the in-form Errol Wilson who was given the pigskin, but an excellent defensive effort from West Coast denied Wilson and the
Arrows a share of the game, and the Trojans were able to run out 28-26 winners.
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