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The Redditch Arrows dreams of Playoff football is still very much
alive after its 14-3 win over top of the table Yorkshire Rams.
The Arrows went into the game knowing that nothing but a win would
suffice if they were to maintain its hopes of making the play-offs. It was also a must win game for the Rams as they knew that a victory would almost certainly guarantee them post season
action and also eliminate the Arrows from it.
The Arrows opened the game in a subdued fashion. Its offense
struggled to handle the fast and aggressive Yorkshire defensive unit and were forced on its first couple of possessions to go 3 and out. The Rams however were not having all their own way
with the Arrows defense giving them little joy. The visitors however finally put together a drive and looked as if they were going to find the end zone. The Arrows defense dug in and finally
stopped the Rams and limited them to a 30 yard field goal and a 3-0 lead.
The Arrows offense continued to struggle for the remainder of the
first half however thanks to the efforts of its defense managed to keep the lead at the half to 3-0.
In recent games the Arrows seem to come out after half time in more
determined mood. Sunday was no different however in was a gradual increase in the tempo rather than the explosive start that they have made in previous situations. The Arrows
defense was still on top and the offense slowly started to get some gains. Despite this at the end of the third quarter the Arrows still trailed 3-0.
With 6 minutes left in the fourth quarter the Arrows blew the game
wide open. With the Arrows facing a 1st and 15 on the 45 yard line QB Richard Wilde finally found Kieron Mcloed open down the sidelines. Mcloed caught the pass cleanly and sped into the end-zone for the crucial 7-3 lead.
The Rams were now forced to open up themselves to get back into the
match. The Arrows defense however were to produce the games most critical play when they recovered a Rams Fumble and set the home team up deep inside their opponents half. Arrows QB again
connected with McLoed who made another perfect catch for a 25 yard touchdown and the 14-3 lead.
The Rams now knew that it was unlikely that they could win the match
however were fully aware that a score would still give them the head to head advantage over the Arrows in the teams were tied at the end of the season. With the clock fast running out they
had 4th and 12 but on a pass deep into the Endzone an offensive pass interference call finally ended any hopes that they had saw the Arrows able to run the clock out.
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