Nene Valley Hybrids 6 - 19 Redditch Arrows Sunday, April 18th 2004 In freezing weather with torrential rain turning the field into a lake, the Redditch Arrows defeated the Hybrids. Both teams featured strong running attacks but with the rain turning the ball into a bar of soap and the treacherous under-foot conditions, advancing down the field proved difficult for both teams. Fumbles were dominating proceedings. It was only fitting then that the opening score came courtesy of a dropped ball. Following a mishandled snap on a punt the Arrows found themselves deep in Hybrids territory. Inside running took them to the 5 but here the ball was fumbled forwards - several players had a shot at it but eventually it was Redditch who fell on the ball in the endzone. This left the halftime score 7-0 to the visiting side. The second half saw weather conditions worsen and the field becoming a quagmire. It was a case of who ever could hold their footing best holding the upper hand. The Arrows increasing their lead to 13 on a short run late in the third. Nene Valley’s punter Simon McGill appeared to be the only one at home in the conditions, booming punts of 65 and 50 yards kept the Arrows pinned back. Neither offense was offering much now on the ground until on third down the Arrows running back held his footing to slip and slide his way for a 65 yard score, leaving a host on Hybrids in his wake. Down 19-0 now the Hybrids were forced to go to the air. Completions to Buddy Williams and Eric P Ness moved them away from their own goal line. Then despite the weather, recent signing Russ Wingfield hooked up deep with TE Eric P Ness for a 65 yards score. Inevitably the 2 point attempt ended in a fumble. The final score was Hybrids 6, Arrows 19.