The Yorkshire Rams made the journey down the M6 looking to avenge their loss to Redditch in the opening game of the 2007 season.
As with the first game, neither team really established an offensive presence and the meeting turned into a tough defensive battle. For the purists in the large crowd this was a real treat, and an absolute scorcher as each team took turns to pound the opposing offence into the ground under the relentless gaze of the June sunshine.
Redditch took the early initiative, forcing the Rams to fumble on their opening three drives, the first of which brought the Arrows their opening score when Quarterback Richard Wilde connected up with Phil Kite for a 20 yard pass and a 6-0 lead. The point after attempt was unsuccessful.
Punt followed punt as each side went four and out and with the first half drawing to a close, Redditch took over the ball deep in their own territory and called a screen pass to their left. What they didnt anticipate, however, was that veteran Rams linebacker, Paul Goodward would instinctively read the play and rush to the flight of the ball, intercepting the pass and running the ball back in to the Arrows end zone from 10 yards out for a Yorkshire touchdown and a 6-6 score. Again, the point after was missed and the half ended level, seeing both teams rushing for what little shade there was, to discuss their second half plans.
The game kicked off again and the early play saw the Rams camped in the Arrows half of the field. They failed to capitalize on this territorial domination though, and the pattern of the first half was to be repeated as defensive play was to be the ultimate winner.
Changes had to be made by someone and the Redditch team made the bold move to a three back wishbone formation.
Deep in the fourth quarter and deep in their own half, the Arrows started a march up the field that was heavily aided by penalties thrown against the tiring Rams defenders. It has to be said, however, that the clever misdirection play from the triple back set and the strong running of Errol Wilson drew dividends, with the drive making a move all the way into the Rams 20 yard red zone and within sniffing distance of paydirt. It was here that the Yorkshire teams defensive play really stepped up as rookie safety Ivason Dyer came steaming from his deep position to smash down the Arrows full back as he was within touching distance of the end zone and then Sheffield Hallam standout, Greg Sunshine Boyland made his second interception of the day to break up the Arrows momentum.
These plays could have disheartened Redditch, but their relentless pressure was eventually to pay off when, deep into the last minute of the game, the Midlands team broke the hearts of the Yorkshiremen. Arrows Quarterback, Wilde, again used the clever misdirection play to send the Rams one way and then despatch Mark Collett the other and into the end zone from 3 yards out for the touchdown. The point after was missed, but with precious time running out the game seemed dead and buried for the Rams.
A lifeline was thrown though, when the ball was given back to Yorkshire with only one second remaining on the clock. On their own forty yard line and with Quarterback Andy Green at the helm, the Rams Youth team graduate wound up to pass downfield, but a stretching finger from the Arrows safety deflected the ball to the ground and finally shut the door on the visitors.
The Rams MVP was, inevitably, Greg Boyland who ended up with 2 interceptions, 2 deflected passes and 5 tackles. For the rest of the defence, Joe Coultate finished with 11 tackles, Danny Thompson had 8 tackles, 1 sack and 1 forced fumble, French Linebacker Brice Marchand and Leeds based veteran Phil Keeling both finished with 6 tackles.
MVP: Greg Boyland