Redditch Arrows 50

Andover Thrashers 12

Redditch Arrows returned to winning ways with a resounding 50-12 over a spirited Andover Thrashers side. Andover is a newly-formed team who will take heart from scoring their first ever touchdowns.

The Arrows started the game in hesitant mood and could not move the ball with any real consistency.

A good start from the Thrashers kept the game scoreless going into the 2nd period.

The Arrows stepped up a gear and quarter-back Richard Wilde connected up with Matt Gavin in the corner of the endzone to open up a 7-0 lead.

The advantage was doubled when, from two yards, Wilde sneaked in with 1.30 left in the half. The Arrows again put Andover deep in their own half on the ensuing kick off and by using timeouts to stop the clock forced the Thrashers to turn the ball over with 35 seconds remaining. Wilde again went to the air and found Gavin for the second time in the day on a 24-yard completion and a 19-0 half-time lead.

Any hope Andover had of staging a comeback in the second half were stalled when Dave Mills scored on a nine-yard run followed by Lewis Collymore carrying the ball eight times on a drive, amassing 70 yards before his touchdown made it 31-0.

Andover then shocked the Arrows with a sensational play of their own with Ferreira breaking several tackles on a fine 62-yard run for the Thrashers' first ever score.

The fourth quarter saw Mills go in for his second score on a 45-yard run but Andover were not to be denied and an excellent pass saw them score with a 59-yard touchdown to make it 37-12.

The Arrows experience then came to the fore as the Thrashers tired and Mills went in to complete his hat-trick. Arrows defensive captain Will Powell then intercepted a Thrashers pass, returned it 27 yards to the Andover 4 yard line before Collymore finished off with a six-yard run.

Mills had a sensational day with three touchdowns while Collymore and Gavin each finished with two scores.

This was a fine win and helped wipe out the disappointment of losing their opening games.

The Arrows must now wait for four weeks before their next game - a trip to Cardiff to face old foes South Wales Warriors.