Scoring Summary:

1st Qtr   Khaled Miah 3 yard touchdown run (Martin Homer Extra point)               7 - 0
4th Qtr   South Wales Warriors 11 yard touchdown run                                       7 - 6
4th Qtr   Andy Crowther 75 yard kick-off return for a touchdown     (Spencer Whybrow 2 point catch)                                                                                                           15 -6
4th Qtr   Conrad Patrick 22 yard TD reception from Deniz Karragulle   (Martin Homer Extra point)                                                                                                            22 - 7 
4th Qtr   Luke Foster 3 yard touchdown run (Nick Michael 2 point catch)             30 - 7

After recording the only perfect regular season record with 10 wins and 0 losses in the British Senior League this year, The Cheetahs entered the play-offs for the first time in since they where the runners up back in 1997. South West Conference runners-up, South Wales Warriors where the visitors to Amersham & Chiltern RFU on Sunday.

The Cheetahs kick-off and soon forced their opponents to punt, which was placed at the 10 yard line after a penalty on the return. This was the start of  12 plays to the end zone with strong gains on the ground by Khaled Miah and Abdul Lawal, with Owen Thomas gaining 17 yards on a fourth down a 1. The Cheetahs forced their way into the scoring zone and QB Rob Suttling was intercepted in the end zone by the Warriors, only for an off side penalty to cancel out the play, giving the Cheetahs the ball at the 3 yard line. On the next play Khaled Miah rushed into the end zone for the opening score of the game and his first score of the Season. Martin Homerā€™s extra point kick was good, to give the Cheetahs a 7 - 0 lead.  After the kick-off, South Wales picked up a couple of first downs on the ground before two consecutive fumbles. The first fumble the Warriors recovered for a 17 yard loss, with the second return by Chilternā€™s Mike Butler to end the first period.

The Second quarter saw the Cheetahs offence stumble on 3 drives, as they conceding penalties, the loss of 8 yards on a fumble that was recovered by Darren Shepsman and on an Intercepted pass.  But great work for the defence keep the home side in the lead as South Wales twice came close to scoring, with Ally Reid intercepting a pass in the End zone, then on the Warriors next drive, their running back fumble the ball into the end zone, which was recovered by Eddie Wells as the half ended (7 - 0)

Neither side where able to move the ball in the third quarter with penalties again hampering the Cheetahs offence and solid tackling by the Cheetahs D forcing a total of five punts between the teams in a stale mate quarter of football.

Chiltern linebacker Jamie Brown intercepted a Warriors pass at the start of the final quarter but the ball was turnover and back to the Warriors on the next play on a Khaled Miah fumble.  Three plays later the Warriors where in the end zone on a 11 yard run, with the extra run attempt unsuccessful, leaving the Cheetahs the narrowest of a 1 point lead (7 - 6). This was not for long, as Andy Crowther returned the kick-off 75 for a touchdown, with Spencer Whybrow 2 point catch from Rob Suttling successful for a two score lead of 15 - 6.  With less than 10 minutes left in the game, the Warriors went to their passing game in an attempt to claw their way back into the game, but Ally Reid recorded his second interception of the game.  Khaled Miah then picked up a first down, with a 12 yard run to set up Conrad Patrickā€™s 22 yard touchdown reception from Deniz Karragulle.  Martin Homerā€™s extra point kick was good (22 - 6).  On the Warriors next drive, linebacker Owen Thomas, intercepted another Warrior pass, returning it for 10 yards deep into South Wales territory,  This set up Luke Foster first career touchdown as a Cheetah on a 3 yard run, with Nick Michael two point catch from Karragulle to the end the scoring 30 - 6 with two minutes left in the game.

Chilternā€™s MVP of the game, where Khaled Miah on offence, with the defensive award going to Andy Crowther.

The win now sees the Cheetahs through to the semi final and Southern Conference Championship, when Sussex Thunder visit Amersham & Chiltern RFU on Sunday 12th September (kick-off 2.30), after they beat the South West Conference Champs, Redditch Arrows 23 - 22.  This will be the third time the two side have meet this year, with the Cheetahs the only team to have beaten the Thunder this year, with both games results not decided until the final minute. The winner of that game will go onto the final as Southern Champions to face the northern Champions at Britball Bowl, on Sunday 26th September at Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield (Kick-off 12 noon).

For any further information on American Football or the Cheetahs please contact Giles Stevenson on 01494 728371 or via the clubs website www.chilterncheetahs.com