Oxford Saints 29 Redditch Arrows 14

The Arrows continued their poor start to the season with another disappointing performance.

Arrows went into the game heartened by their second half performance the previous week against an in-form Bristol.

But the visitors failed to show the form they are capable of and had a disastrous first half which saw them go in 23-6 down.

The game started in dramatic fashion when, on the third play of the game, Oxford broke free and completed a 65 yard rush for an early 7-0 lead.

Oxford then put the Arrows into deeper trouble with a three yard run to open up a 13-0 gap.

The Arrows eventually got on the scoreboard late in the first quarter when Arrows QB Richard Wilde completed an eight yard pass to Rob Mann to make it 13-6.

But Oxford immediately extended their lead when a breakaway rush for 70 yards restored their cushion to 14.

The second quarter saw the Arrows begin to stop the Oxford offense with a field goal the only score to make it 23-6 at half time.

The Ash Lane tenants began the second half in more determined mood.

The defense stopped Oxford on its first drive and then completed a 13 consecutive rushing play drive to go 63 yards for a one yard Dave Mills touchdown.

The drive, the best the Arrows have produced this season, saw Dave Mills carry the ball nine time s for 41 yards and Anthony Perkins four times for 22 yards on the back of strong blocking by full back Toby Rhodes.

The Arrows further reduced the deficit when Mills ran in the two point PAT to make the score 23-12.

The fourth quarter saw the Arrows desperately trying to get back into the game.

Oxford put the game away when a two yard run saw them extend the lead to 29-14.

Redditch did find the end zone late on for a score which was called back for an ineligible downfield penalty.

Arrows now face a difficult fortnight in which they travel to Cardiff to face South Wales Warriors before facing Southern Sundevils the following week in their opening home fixture of the season.

On offense, Dave Mills had 71 yards on 20 carries, Anthony Perkins 59 yards on 11 carries.

On defense Andy McAnneney had four solo and one assisted tackle, Errol Perkins two and five and Karl Watkins one and six.