Redditch Arrows 34

Manchester Titans 0

THE Arrows took another step towards a play-off berth with this impressive shutout against their Manchester visitors.

And for the second week running it was running back Dave Mills who took the early initiative as the Arrows looked for an early breakthrough. That came when quarterback Richard Wilde hooked up with wide receiver Phil Grove, kicker John Riddell adding the extra point for a 7-0 lead. In the second quarter defensive captain Andy Mortimer picked off his third pass of the season, putting the Arrows' offence in business once again. This time it was receiver Grove's 17-yard reception that set up a Mills touchdown, as he ran the ball in from four yards. Riddell was again successful with the kick.

Mills and Mark Collett then made decent ground to leave the Arrows at the Titans' one-yard line and from there it was a simple belly-flop over the line for fullback Alan Harris who reached half-time with a 21-0 cushion. Running back Collett extended the lead with a touchdown early in the second half and the Arrows' dominance went unbroken into the fourth quarter as the defence thwarted Manchester's drives with sacks coming from defensive end Martin Hill and linebacker Ian Looms.

Pick of the scores came late on when Wilde's lofted pass was taken by Grove's spectacular catch for the first down before Collett capped a fine individual performance (20 carries for 147 yards) by taking the ball in from 12 yards.

The Arrows now have two weeks off before heading to Merseyside Nighthawks on July 16.