Redditch Arrows 34 Chester Romans 6

REDDITCH Arrows came out of the blocks fastest with the defense forcing a quick three-and-out to set the offense up.

After driving down to the Romans' 20-yard line, the Arrows were then faced with a tough fourth and ten, which was converted when quarterback Richard Wilde fired a pass to leading receiver Phil Grove. He scampered the rest of the way for the first score, with kicker John Riddell adding the extra point. The Romans' next drive was snuffed out when linebacker Ian Looms claimed his fifth sack of the season.

Unfortunately Chester's quarterback injured his shoulder on the play and was unable to return.

Wilde capped another impressive drive by hitting receiver Steve Bell on an out pattern 10 yards out, to bring the first quarter score to 14-0.

42-yard reception by receiver Neil Solomon got the Arrows offense on track in the second quarter, and running-back Ian Lakin made a two-yard blast for the Arrows' third touchdown, converted by Riddell.

The Arrows offense got the coverage they were looking for and were able to exploit it when Wilde found Grove wide open across the middle.

There was no catching him from there as he sprinted in to complete the one-play, 67-yard drive. Riddell added another his fifth PAT.

Defenses had the upper hand in the third quarter with linebackers Andy Mortimer (11 tackles), Looms (8) and lineman Adam Talbot (7) leading the way.

The Romans came closest to scoring, but Mortimer's big hit on their tight end was good enough to dislodge the ball in the endzone.

As the quarter drew to a close the Romans were given a tremendous opportunity when a terrible bounce led to a four-yard Arrows punt.

Three consecutive personal foul penalties on the Arrows defense left the Romans with a first and goal from the two-yard line as the final period commenced, and from there, Chester running-back James Tootle got his side's first touchdown.

Displaying the same team spirit that has been the key to the season thus far, the Arrows were keen to get the final score to cap off their day.

This was secured when, following a 37-yard hook-up between Grove and Wilde (who finished with a spectacular 139.2 passer rating), running-back Mark Collet was able to run in from a yard out.