A 23-yard touchdown pass from Rob Suttling to Conrad Patrick with 10 seconds left elevated the Chiltern Cheetahs over the Sussex Thunder for the 2^nd time in 3 weeks, virtually ensuring that they will take home the BSL Division 2 South-Eastern Conference title. However with Sussex looking likely to accompany them to the playoffs, the prospect of a mouth-watering third meeting between the teams at Amersham in the post-season cannot be ruled out.

In a scoreless game, Sussex had took the lead midway through the 4^th quarter after Simon Richie had blocked Andy Crowther’s punt at the Chiltern goal-line for Guy Robbins to pounce on the loose ball in the endzone for a TD. On a day when both defenses had been well on top, the Thunder’s slender 6-0 lead seemed set to win the game. However, Chiltern’s hero from three weeks ago, RB Andy Cochrane, had other ideas and found a cutback lane to rumble 47-yards for the tying score as time wound down.

Needing a 7-point win to regain the conference lead, Sussex gambled late in the game by passing from deep in their own territory and taking timeouts on defense when Chiltern regained possession inside the two minute warning. It was to be the Cheetahs conversion of a 4^th-and-2 – by barely the nose of the ball – that provided the impetus for them to go on for the win. Despite being pushed back by penalties and sacks, the win duly arrived on Patrick’s grab down the sideline as a tie began to look inevitable. Abdul Lawal collected a pass from Suttling to convert the TD.

Once again despite a stellar performance on defense (Sergio Sadaba - 19 tackles, 2 sacks; Guy Robbins - 13 tackles, 2 sacks and a TD; Dayle Kirby – 8 tackles and an INT; Simon Richie – 2 blocked kicks), Sussex were unable to find an offensive spark and were stifled by the Cheetah defense for most of the day.

The Thunder’s final home game of 2004 is this coming Sunday July 4^th against the Essex Spartans, where a win will virtually ensure post-season play for the Thunder. A great atmosphere will be guaranteed as the team hosts a "4^th July American Spectacular", with a festival of junior and youth football before the main event. A marching band and American classic cars will be present, barbeque food will be available as well as a bouncy castle for the young or young-at-heart. All proceeds from the day go to Great Ormand Street Childrens’ Hospital charity and your support would be greatly appreciated.