The Redditch Arrows notched up their first win of the
campaign on Sunday as they made their second trip North in as many weeks, returning with a satisfying 25-0 victory from their match with the South Yorkshire Mustangs. Playing in
sweltering conditions and with a depleted squad, it was a testament to the team's spirt and commitment that the victory was so complete against such tough opposition. This was
exemplified by the offensive line (featuring players new in the position, and players going both ways) which powered two running backs over the 100-yard barrier, and the ever
reliable defense that held the Mustangs with only one first down until the end of the 3rd quarter.
The match could not have started any better for the Arrows as wide receiver Jon
McNulty's big hit on the kickoff led to a Mustangs fumble, with Barry Winters gratefully scooping up the loose ball to put the offense in excellent field position. Four Dave Mills
runs later, Redditch were sitting pretty with an early 7-0 lead, once kicker Jon Riddell had added the extra point.
In the second quarter, a 25-yard gallop by Mills (who ended the day with 20
carries for 123 yards) put the Arrows deep in the red zone again, with the scoring honours this time falling to fullback Toby Rhodes. His 1-yard plunge brought the scoreline to
13-0, which is how the half ended.
In the second half, it didn't take long for the Arrows to find their scoring touch
again as quarterback Richard Wilde fired a bullet to receiver Kieran McLeod on a fly pattern down the right sideline to complete a 41 yard scoring play, and bring the score to
19-0. With the Arrows defense being in typically stubborn mood, each Mustangs drive was ended by either punts or turnovers on downs. The final quarter saw one final Arrows scoring
drive, kickstarted by running back Marc Collett's 29-yard scamper, and ended by Dave Mills second score of the day, this time from a yard out. This brought the final score to
25-0.