THUNDER 30 COLTS 23

Wanda Harron Photography

REGINA -The Regina Thunder snapped a three game losing streak on Sunday afternoon with a 30-23 win over the previously undefeated Calgary Colts. Victor St. Pierre-Laviolette had a monster game with 295 yards rushing and scored a touchdown.

It now appears the Thunder will visit the Saskatoon Hilltops in a PFC semifinal in two weeks’ time.

On Sunday, the Thunder opened the scoring at 1:47 of the first quarter on a 55 yard interception return touchdown by linebacker Paul Toth. The Colts got three back on a Stephen Fabian field goal and it was 7-3 Regina after 15 minutes.

In the second the Thunder picked up a single to lead 8-3 but then gave up a safety and it was an 8-5 ball game. At 12:46 Stephen Fabian kicked his second field goal of the afternoon and tied it up 8-8. Regina took the lead back at 14:52 on a Levi Paul touchdown catch and it was 15-8 Thunder at the half.

In the third, after a Colts single, Ethan Hautz scored a rushing touchdown and the Thunder went up 22-9, and that was the score after three.

In the final stanza, the Thunder picked up an early single but then the Colts’ Dylan Minshull scored a rushing touchdown at 6:22 to get them within seven. Regina responded 26 seconds later thanks to Victor St.Pierre-Laviolette and it was a 30-16. The Colts scored another major in the final three minutes from Jesse Kuntz but that was it, 30-23 the final score.

The Thunder defence forced four turnovers in the win, three on interceptions from Taylor Mayer, Marcus Hall and Paul Toth., and one on downs. Toth also led the club with seven tackles. Matthew Williams had the lone Regina sack and is up to 4.5 on the season.

The Thunder (4-4) wrap up the regular season on Sunday in Edmonton against the Wildcats (0-8).

(Courtesy Phil Andrews)