Photo: Mike Dean Second placed Chester Romans all but wrapped up a trip to the postseason with a dramatic 21-26 victory away at Shrops...
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| Photo: Mike Dean |
Second placed Chester Romans all but wrapped up a trip to the postseason with a dramatic 21-26 victory away at Shropshire Revolution, the home side despite wracking 300 yards rushing on the day paid the price for a sloppy start and failure to convert a handful of opportunities in a dominant spell either side of half time which saw the Romans defense produce a pair of crucial Goal-line stands.
The Romans got off to a fast start courtesy of a pair of Revolution turnovers quarterback Bradley Chilvers gratefully accepting the Romans second possession which started on the Revolution 3 yard line following a muffed punt. Chilvers would sneak the ball home for a 6-0 lead, the Romans signal caller would connect with Wide Receiver Martin Cocking over the top for a second score for the visitors before Running Back Ash Wainwright added a third Roman TD of the first period following a Rich Mantle interception.
Revolution Quarterback Mantle would have an impressive day of his own totalling 94 yards on the ground from several gashing runs, he was able help drag his team back into the game firstly with a tying rushing touchdown to answer the opening Chester score and then finding Wide Receiver Adam Harris with a touchdown pass to reduce the hosts arrears at 13-18 heading into halftime.
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| Photo: Mike Dean |
Defenses would be on top in the third quarter as no further scoring was added, until a dramatic conclusion to the game ensued, following a Revolution fumble recovery a subsequent short field finally enabled Mantle to give his side the lead with a short distance sneak before dusting himself off to fire a 2 point conversion pass to rookie wide out Kingsley Brown and a 21-18 lead. Not to be out done Chilvers would have the final say when on the next play from scrimmage he and favourite target Cocking again tormented the Revolution secondary with a 50 yard hook up and sucker punch to restore the visitors lead 21-26. With time running out the Romans repelled the final two Revolution possessions to hold on for the slender victory, Romans Defensive End Aled Watson ensured victory with a strip sack and Chester recovery to end the game.
Shropshire Revolution Head Coach was philosophical about the nature of the defeat “Today was indicative of our season, despite doing lots of things right we still are unable to play smart, composed and error free football at key times of the game, Chester out played us in this department and deserved to win the game.". Shropshire now have a week off to prepare for a visit to division leader s Merseyside Nighthawks on August the 4th.
David Butler
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