Game Summary

This game was a must win situation for both clubs. Birmingham needed the win to stay tied on top of the South Division while Saskatchewan was feeling the pressure of still looking for their first win after the third week of league play. Saskatchewan came out strongly moving the ball from their own 35-yard line in for a touchdown on the first possession of the game. The drive was capped by a 1 yard run by running back Darren Joseph. Dave Ridgway converted the play. On the ensuing drive Birmingham kicker Franco Grilla hit a 25 yard field goal to bring the ’Cudas within four. Ridgway countered with a field goal later in the quarter to give the Western ’Riders a 10 to 3 lead at quarter time. Birmingham QB Matt Dunigan engineered two drives in the second quarter to give them the lead. Wide receiver Jason Phillips capped both these drives with touchdown catches of 6 and 23 yards. Grilla converted both touchdowns. In between ’Cuda drives Ridgway hit a 15 yard field goal. After a strange play that included a forward pass, punt, punt reception, fumble, fumble return time ran out in the half with Birmingham leading Saskatchewan 17 to 13. The score remained 17 to 13 until there was only 4:29 left in the fourth quarter. At this point Ridgway missed a field goal attempt but scored the single leaving the ’Riders trailing the ’Cudas by a field goal. With 1:05 left in the game Dunigan and Keith Woodside hooked up to cap a four play drive with a 28 yard touchdown pass reception. Grilla’s convert made the final 24 to 14 for the home town Barracudas.