From the Telegraph Journal
SAINT JOHN – The Saint John Wanderers established themselves as the team to beat in the Maritime Football League with a 14-10 home win over the powerhouse Riverview Mustangs Saturday at Millidgeville North Field.
Riverview had outscored opponents 190-0 in its first three games, but fell short in its first real test. Saint John stopped a would-be game-winning drive on the five-yard line in the dying seconds to preserve the victory.
“I’ve always had the best defence in this league and they showed it today,” said Saint John head coach Wayne Tipper. “I think the Wanderers have once again shown that any championship in this league goes straight through Wanderer Town.”
Jon Haines had an 81-yard touchdown run in the opening minute of the game and the Wanderers added a single to take an 8-0 lead into halftime.
Steve Cormier’s two-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter made it 8-7 and Kyle Sutton added a 12-yard field goal with 3:31 remaining in the game to give Moncton a 10-8 lead.
But Saint John quickly drove downfield and jumped ahead 14-10 on a five-yard touchdown run by Haines. With 2:39 showing on the clock, the ‘Wandering Thunder’ took over and got the job done on defence.
Mustangs quarterback J.R. Gallant completed just eight of 20 pass attempts. He criticized his own play, but also credited the Wanderers defence.
“They covered our receivers well,” he said. “A lot of times I had to throw it away. I just couldn’t find guys. We’ll have to make some adjustments next time we play them.
“We’re going to meet these guys in the New Brunswick championship. We don’t care if it’s our field, their field, the cornfield, the parking lot, wherever.
“This is a great wakeup call for us. We know exactly what we have to work on.”