On Saturday, the Regina Thunder topped the Winnipeg Rifles 30-11 in a preseason contest in Brandon, Manitoba.
The Rifles opened the scoring at the midpoint of the first quarter, thanks to a penalty-aided drive that saw them move the ball to the Thunder's 20-yard line. Winnipeg would settle for a field goal attempt that split the uprights for a 3-0 lead.
After a two-and-out by the Thunder's offence, the Rifles would take the ball and march back into Regina territory. However, the drive would stall, forcing a second field goal attempt. This time, the Thunder would block the kick and return it to the Winnipeg 50-yard line for their best field position of the ball game.
The defending PFC champion Thunder took advantage of the block, moving the ball to the Rifles' 25, before tying the game 3-3 with a field goal of their own with 90 seconds left in the opening quarter.
The Thunder got the ball back to start the second quarter and made the most of the opportunity. A completed deep ball coupled with a roughing the passer penalty moved Regina to the one-yard line. The Thunder plunged into the end zone for a 10-3 lead.
The lead was short-lived. On the ensuing possession, Winnipeg moved the ball down the field, executing a passing play for the major, tying the game, 10-10, five minutes into the second quarter.
The teams exchanged a pair of series before the Thunder intercepted a Rifles pass and returned the ball to the Winnipeg 27-yard line. Regina capitalized on the turnover, throwing for a major score to take a 17-10 lead.
On the following kickoff, Winnipeg bobbled the ball but retained possession, starting their drive on the 20-yard line. The Rifles' offence committed to running the ball after throwing an interception on their previous possession. However, a timely strip by the Regina defence forced the second turnover of the afternoon—Regina ball on the Winnipeg 31.
The Winnipeg defence would rise to the occasion, forcing the Thunder to a two-and-out on the possession following the turnover. The Rifles partially blocked Regina’s field goal attempt and returned it out of the end zone, keeping the score tied.
The Rifles' offence couldn’t build on the momentum from the block and had to punt the ball away after two plays. That Winnipeg punter would shank the kick, giving Regina great field possession at the Winnipeg 46.
The Thunder would promptly then march the ball to the Rifles’ one-yard line, but they couldn’t punch it in. So, Regina settled for a successful field goal, extending their lead to 20-10 at halftime.
Winnipeg wouldn’t take long to get on the scoreboard in the second half as their opening kick-off would sail into the end zone, cutting the Regina lead to 20-11.
As the third quarter continued, Winnipeg intercepted a pass to create its first turnover of the day. The Rifles could not capitalize on the turnover and would punt the ball away on the resulting possession.
Neither team was able to find any offensive rhythm for most of the remainder of the third quarter, but with just under two minutes to go before quarter time, Regina marched the ball to the Winnipeg one-yard line. The Rifles' defence once again made short-yardage stops and forced the Thunder to kick a field goal, giving them a 23-11 lead after three quarters.
An early fourth-quarter interception by the Thunder set their offence up inside the Winnipeg red zone. Regina moved the ball to the one-yard line once again, and instead of kicking a field goal on third down, the Thunder elected to go for it. Regina found a way to punch it in to extend their lead to 30-11.
Winnipeg wasn’t about to throw in the towel, as they would march the ball deep into Regina territory. However, the Thunder would intercept the throw when looking for the end zone.
Following an injury to a Rifles player, the teams ended the game with less than a minute to go in the fourth quarter, making the final score 30-11.
The Regina Thunder will open the regular season on Sunday, August 10, when they play the Huskies in Edmonton. Winnipeg will also open the regular season next Sunday when they host the Saskatoon Hilltops.