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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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