The Exiles defence then held the Thunder and got the ball back for the Offence,
who immediately began driving downfield again. Alan Hands had his first carry of
the game, and racked up seven yards allowing him to hit a milestone in his
career, passing 2000 yards rushing for the club. Alan is the first person to do
this in an Exiles uniform. The drive was nicely finished off by Stewart Muir
with a 10 yard run for the touchdown, this time Mat Tompsetts extra point was
good, and the Exiles led 13-7.

The Exiles defence then looked as though they would hold the Thunder again, but
on third and long Robinson hit Ashby for their second score of the day, this
time from 45 yards out, Robinson again converted the point after and the Thunder
led 14-13.

Once again the game swung the other way on the very next drive, after a few
short gains Exiles quarterback Duncan went back to receiver Hall for their
second touchdown of the day, this time from 68 yards out, Tompsetts extra point
was wide again, leaving the score 19-14 in favour of the Exiles. The half was rounded out with another score, Sussex coming back into it again after a short drive, this time Robinson hit Will Graystone for a 25 yard touchdown pass, and then found Warren Smart for the 2 point attempt, and the Thunder led 22-19 going in at the half. The Exiles kicked off to the Thunder to start the second half, much like the first half it looked as though the Exiles defence was asleep on the first drive as the game swung in the Thunders favour following a Smythe 47 yard run for the touchdown, Robinson again hit the extra point and the Thunder now had a 10 point lead, 29-19.

Once again the Exiles dug in hard, and following Roy Halls 60 yard kick return
the offence took to the field and drove straight in for the touchdown, Alan
Hands capping his momentous day on a 2 yard run. The Exiles then opted for the 2 point conversion, which Stewart Muir duly converted. Muir finished the day with
180 yards rushing, as well as the touchdown earlier in the game.
Finally on the next drive the Exiles defence kicked into gear, a hard hit by
safety Mark Evans forced an incomplete pass, and then rookie defensive tackle
Stu Page forced the Thunder running back to fumble, and recovered it himself,
giving possession back to the Exiles.

This was the break the Exiles had been looking for, their offence was in
dominant form and felt they could score on every drive, and they duly obliged
with Duncan finding Hall for his third touchdown of the day, this time from 18
yards out. Hall was to finish the game with 161 yards receiving, as well as his
three touchdowns. Mat Tompsett slotted the extra point, and the Exiles now led
34-29.

Buoyed by their last stand the Exiles defence was now well into their game, and
the Thunder were finding it difficult to move the ball, a short drive ending in
a punt, and the Exiles took over again on their own 20 yard line. Muir was now
running the ball well behind fantastic Offensive line blocking, and the chains
moved on virtually every play, the drive finished when Duncan threw for his
fourth touchdown of the day, Martin Jefkins making the reception from 21 yards
out. Tompsett's extra point was blocked, but the Exiles now had a 40-29 lead.
The Thunder looked to get straight back in the game, with the Exiles defensive
line now snuffing out the running game they had to go to the air, but the Exiles
read the play beautifully and Mat Tompsett made the interception to once again
turn the ball over.

With only five minutes left in the game the Exiles started on a drive to kill
the game once and for all, Duncan scrambled for a first down, and then Lee Nash
pounded forward for another, Kieron Hyams then came up with a big catch on third
down for yet another, and the Exiles were in scoring range again. Lee Nash
pounded the ball in from 3 yards out, Tompsett kicked the extra point, and with
only 1.28 left in the game the Exiles had an unassailable 47-29 scoreline, which
was to remain the final score.

"I'm very proud of the team today" commented Exiles Head Coach Phil Wood, "in
the past this team would have buckled and lost the game in the second half, for
the second week in a row we have now overturned a second half deficit and gone
on to win the game. The offence was outstanding today, we racked up over 500
yards in all, and Stewart Muir and Roy Hall both had outstanding individual
games, Matt Duncan led them well, he always knew what needed to be done, and
kept several drives alive with his canny play. I'm also very pleased for Alan
Hands who passed a tremendous milestone for the club today." The Exiles now face the Chiltern Cheetahs at home this coming Sunday before a two week break, kick-off is at 2.30pm at their Hoblinwell Park home. The Exiles can be contacted through their website www.eteamz.com/kentexafc