Winnipeg Blue Bomber head coach Dave Ritchie finally got some help from his players as the Bombers took the heat off of their coach with the 32-15 win on Thursday night. The Big Blue finally allowed the big man to take a drink of water without worrying if someone was going to slip him some hemlock.
Ritchie had stood on the sidelines the previous few weeks wondering what it was going to take to get his underperforming squad to get it together. At any given time in the 0-2 start the Bomber faithful could point at an offense nowhere near its capabilities struggling to make first downs let alone set up scoring plays. On the defensive side of the ball, too many players have ended up looking at the backsides of the competition as they scurried downfield to score another six points. The Bombers going into Thursday’s game were riding a pretty horrid streak of losing, having dropped seven of their last nine games. Something the locals just haven’t been used to of late. Thursday’s game didn’t exactly reassure the masses as both teams stumbled in the inclement weather, struggling to keep control of the ball and mount any kind of consistency. For Winnipeg things at times looked as though a replay of last years Western semi-final was on the screen. No doubt giving Ritchie more cause for concern than he’s been carrying thus far.
With the poor start this year, there were doubts that the longest serving coach presently employed in the CFL was going to keep his employment much longer. Too a man the Bombers defended their coach, but finally their defence of him was more tangible that vocal. In a sloppily played affair in the torrential rains the Bombers used the run to keep the yardsticks moving. Charles Roberts finally put some stats on the board that Bomber fans have patiently waited for, 110 yards on the day including runs for two touchdowns. The night provided a solid return to form for the enigmatic running back.
Over on defence it was an old friend named Elfrid who made his return to the Bomber line up a memorable one. Payton, who was reactivated earlier in the week after having spent the time back home in Houston, spent a good part of the night causing havoc with Henry Burris’ offensive plans, recovering two fumbles and forcing a third. He was the main difference in this one, giving the Bombers the little extra edge to survive.
Payton who was cut from the starting defence at training camp and declined the chance to sit on the practice roster probably has secured himself the starting assignment for as long as Ritchie stays head coach. If the Bombers can manage to use this win as bridge to better times, both coach and player will be in Blue and Gold long past Labour Day.
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