Sussex Thunder 20

Redditch Arrows 11

The Bank Holiday blues came early for Redditch Arrows American football team in their second game of the season at Sussex Thunder.

They arrived confident of bouncing back from their opening defeat at Oxford but those hopes were wiped out as the Crawley side opened the scoring with their first attack of the game.

Sussex made steady until RB Smyth placed the first points on the board with the Arrows defenders playing the role of spectators.

With the Arrows offensive drive failing to spark they were forced to punt and a great effort from rookie Matt Gavin saw the ball go out of bounds on the Sussex one yard line.

Two plays later and outstanding tackling saw the ball ripped from the grasp of a Sussex player allowing veteran RB Dave Mills to take the ball in from four yards out to level the scores at 6-6.

A tough battle ensued and some excellent defending was needed to hold the home side up short of the line.

The second half saw spirits lifted when the Sussex punter recovered the ball in his own end zone moments before being tackled by Jim Mortimer and Matt Sheldon giving the Arrows a Safety and an 8-6 lead.

But the joy was short-lived when QB Phil De Cassan, on his first start, had two passes intercepted. The first was returned for a touchdown and the second was returned to the five yard line as De Cassan received treatment for a rib injury.

Other injuries were picked up by the visitors but although backup QB Adrian Room had some success, not even a spectacular catch in traffic by wide receiver Phil Grove could get the Arrows back into the game.

Redditch's frustrations finally boiled with Noel Fischer being ejected before Matt Gavin slotted over a field goal.

Arrows play their first home game on Sunday against the Andover Thrashers at Kings Norton RFC, Hopwood (ko 2.30pm).