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Norwich Devils 0
Oxford Saints 27
The Norwich Devils travelled to Oxford with a depleted squad, hoping to end a
run of four straight defeats, but again crashed to defeat, largely thanks to a
disastrous 60 second spell right on half time. The loss leaves the Devils
perilously close to the foot of the table in the South Conference of BAFL 1.
The game started promisingly for Norwich who seemed to be having the better of
the early exchanges despite neither side troubling the scoreboard in the first
quarter. Midway through the second quarter, the Devils had the chance to go in
front, getting down to the Oxford 11 yard line, but three incomplete passes by
quarterback Jon Steedman, making his first start of the season, led to a 28
yard field goal attempt by Norwich kicker Henry Rush, which went wide to the
left. Oxford made the most of the let off just inside the 2 minute warning,
Saints running back Ben Saunders running in from 13 yards out to open the
scoring. Adam Newman added the extra point kick to put the Saints up by 7. On
the Devils' next offensive play Steedman was intercepted to leave the Saints in
possession at the Norwich 18 yard line. Bryan Myers then ran the ball in for
Oxford's second score. Newman's kick was again good and Norwich found
themselves 14 points down at the half.
The Devils offense continued to make mistakes in the second half
and towards the end of the third quarter, a
fumble gave the Saints the ball at the Norwich 5 yard line. Although Devils
linebacker Rowdy Spears knocked the Saints back 7 yards on the next play,
Oxford quarterback Jonathan Taylor then threw to Richard Bloomer for a 12 yard
scoring pass. This time Newman's kick went wide to leave the score 20 - 0 in
the Saints favour. Any lingering hopes the Devils may have had disappeared
midway through the final quarter. Following 4 incomplete passes, Norwich gave
up possession on their own 20 yard line, and although the defense held out for
7 plays, Oxford finally pushed home the score on a 2 yard run from Chris
Taylor. Newman's extra point kick completed the scoring.
The Devils now go away to the Southern Sundevils next weekend, and with only
three games remaining, are desperately in need of a result to turn their
fortunes around.