BERKSHIRE Renegades reached the BAFNL Southern Regional Division Two final with an outstanding 33-27 victory at previously unbeaten Bristol Apache on Saturday.

The Renegades took the opening kick and started well.

QB Dan Storey steered the offensive unit down the field behind the running of Curtis Williston and WR Henry Feurtado’s 25-yard catch extended the drive leading to RB Andrew Neilson’s touchdown run. The extra point was missed and a 6-0 score line.

Apache, who had won all 10 of their games before the semi final, struggled as Stuart Burrows, Darren Star and Pete Sammes stifled any progress and held them to a three-and-out, forcing them to punt.

However, a disputed roughing the kicker penalty gave Apache another 15 yards and extended their drive, only for an attempted field goal to miss.

Apache did break their deadlock during the second quarter, and succeeded with a two-point conversion to move 8-6 up.

However, the Renegades offence orchestrated another successful drive and Williston’s 50-yard run changed the score to13-8.

The defence then continued to apply pressure between the efforts of Zaid Aileru, Stuart Laws, David Smith and Mike Anigbo creating a fumble which was recovered. The offence took this opportunity to extend the lead and three plays later another TD run resulted in a 20-8 half-time score.

The second-seeded Apache hit back in the third quarter, gaining a brace of touchdowns and proving successful going for the extra point on both.

Trailing 24-20 going into the fourth quarter, it was Renegades who regained the lead in an increasingly topsy-turvy affair, offensive linemen Nick Fox, Dan Hogg, Stephen Brownstone, Ben Raper and Jordan Davies allowing Williston to score put his side 27-24.

Apache levelled with a field goal, but the sensational Williston again went over, and with the defence of Adam Winstone, Sam Eaton, Glen Burnham and Lewis Cavanagh holding on, Renegades sealed the 34-27 which takes them to the final for the first time in the club’s history.

Head coach Paul Gordon said: “What a game. I knew it was going to be a tough one as Apache are a very well-run team on and off the field and even though we took the lead early on they made us work for every point. Curtis had a great game, but we gave MVP awards to each defensive and offensive unit as this was a team victory.”

The final will be held in Leeds on Sunday, September 10 (noon).