NORWICH DEVILS NEWS
NORWICH DEVILS 14 - BEDFORDSHIRE BLUE RAIDERS 6
August 1st, 2010 by Pete Wrigley
The Norwich Devils followed up last week's win at the Lincoln Bombers to give themselves an outstanding chance of finishing the year with a winning season and finish just outside the playoff places. The Devils, with this result stand at 4 wins and 3 defeats for the season, with 3 to play, two of which are against the bottom two teams in the conference.

Defenses dominated the early part of the game, with the only scoring chance of the first quarter falling to Bedfordshire when they drove to the Norwich 10 yard line. However they were knocked back by a strong defensive stand from the Devils and had to settle for a 37 yard field goal attempt from John Matthewson which fell short.

The Blue Raiders broke the deadlock early in the second quarter, but it was their defense who came up with the score. The Devils were pinned back deep in their own half when quarterback Heath Johnson was hit and fumbled the ball. Bedfordhire defensive tackle Dan Field came up with the recovery in the Norwich endzone to give the Blue Raiders a six point lead. Matthewson's extra point kick flew wide to the left. Bedfordshire had a chance to add to their lead late in the half when Johnson was intercepted to give the Blue Raiders possession on the Norwich 10 yard line, but they then fumbled the ball which was recovered by Devils nose tackle John May.

Defenses continued to dominate in the 3rd quarter, but the Devils offense at last sparked into life in the final period. A 30 yard reception by receiver Daniel Sutliff put Norwich on the Bedfordshire 24 yard line and several plays later Andy Custerson ran a right sweep play into the endzone from 2 yards out. Adam Whitbourn kicked the extra point to give the Devils a 7 - 6 lead. Custerson, also playing on the defense, then came up an interception to halt the next Bedfordshire drive.

Late in the game the Devils extended their lead when, following a long drive, running back Josh Clarke ran in from 9 yards out, and Whitbourn's kick again added the extra point. Bedfordshire's final chance to level the match was ended when Devils defensive back Ash Mullins came up with the inception with seconds remaining.

The Devils now travel to Maidstone next Sunday before their last two home games on 15th and 22nd August, against Lincoln and the London Olympians respectively.

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