Thunder defeat Rifles 29-21 for first win of 2018

After a devastating loss at home to open their season, the Regina Thunder bounced back with a 29-21 win over the Winnipeg Rifles at Leibel Field Saturday.

“Any time that you can get that first win of the year, you know that you’re going in a positive direction,” head coach Scott MacAulay said.

But MacAulay said there’s still lots of work to be done, as the team gave up two touchdowns in the final two minutes of the game.

“There’s a lot of things that we need to discuss and make sure that we stay focused the full 60 right because anything can happen at any time.”

Thunder quarterback Brock Sich should also gain some confidence heading into their first road game of the season. Sich finished the game with a rushing and a passing touchdown and avoided turning the ball over.

The Thunder defence also had a strong showing for most of the game, forcing three interceptions and three fumbles.

There was a scary moment in the game as Rifles quarterback Riley Naujoks laid on the turf for a period of time after he was hit while it looked like he was sliding during a run late in the fourth quarter. The Thunder defender was handed a targeting penalty as a result of the hit. Naujoks left the game with an apparent leg injury.

Finn Marcotte-Cribb had a good day defending the ball in the air with two interceptions and also had a fumble recovery.

The Thunder will be looking to once again find the win column when they travel to Edmonton to face the Huskies on Sept 2. In their last meeting, the Thunder eliminated the Huskies in the Prairie Football Conference semi-finals.