Still In The Fight!

The Ipswich Cardinals final regular season fixture against local rivals the Colchester Gladiators epitomised the difference between a play-off chasing, hungry team, and a bottom placed side eager to end a dismal year.

The Cardinals destroyed their Essex opponents by halftime, and the final result of 39-7 doesn’t really credit their dominance. The win ends their regular season record at 6 wins, 3 losses and 1 draw and gives them a great chance at post season gridiron, depending on results from this weekend.

In the opening quarter the visitors battled hard and, despite enormous pressure from a rampaging Cardinals defense, stand in quarterback Fabian Ortiz Barrs for Colchester performed admirably. His sides own defenders also played hard and kept the hosts high powered offense from scoring, despite two possessions reaching the Gladiators 5 yard line.

It was perhaps fitting then, that a defensive score would get the scoreboard moving. Forced to punt again, the Gladiators special teams could not contain the speedy return man Ryan Crighton who jinked his way between and behind blocks to maze his way into the Colchester endzone. Steven Baines converted the point after kick and Ipswich led 7-0.

Into the second quarter and that touchdown led to an onslaught! Paul Borstel powered into the endzone from a yard out, sending bodies flying everywhere in the process. On the ensuing kick off the Gladiators coughed the ball up, setting up another mazy run for a touchdown, this time by the ultra quick receiver Mike Royster.

On the next series Cardinals running back Don Candis burst free for a long gain, then three plays later ran the ball in from short yardage for another touchdown. Baines converted again for a 26-0 lead and when Ortiz Barrs was crunched between two Cardinal defenders, looping the ball up in the air to be recovered by Ipswich’s Sandijs Jansen, he was lucky to have the ball called an incomplete forward pass by the officials.
Another punt left Ipswich the ball with just 7 seconds left in the half. Quarterback Osborne Gardner looked downfield to launch a long pass, but instead of throwing the ball, he tucked it under his arm and set off on his way to an amazing 52 yard touchdown run! A fantastic score to end a truly one sided half of football at Northgate.

At the interval, and with the result in no doubt, it was agreed the less experienced players would all see more action in the second half.

After exchanging possessions in the third quarter it was linebacker Perry Guinn, playing his final home game for the Cardinals, that scored his sides fifth TD. He intercepted an option pitch from Ortiz Barrs and returned it untouched into the Gladiators endzone. Baines converted to extend the lead to 39 points.
Rookie cornerback Nick Pyke did his “Rookie of the Year” claims no harm at all when he made two excellent interceptions, returning one all the way to the Colchester 1 yard line, while another rookie, quarterback James Branton enjoyed some positive experiences that included three consecutive first down plays late in the game.

With all the substitutions by the hosts, it was perhaps inevitable the visitors would take advantage and, to their credit, the proud Essex side fought on valiantly. Casey Campbell looked dangerous whenever he touched the ball and he proved too good for the Cardinals second string when he burst up the middle for his sides consolation score.

Their joy was short lived however as big plays from Shaun Rapley and Jerome Mapps ended any further scoring opportunities late on. As the seconds ticked away the big defensive lineman Mapps, another playing in his final home game for Ipswich, almost added a last minute touchdown as he joined in the fun in the Cardinals offensive backfield.

Time expired to end an emphatic win for the Cardinals and both sides must now wait for results elsewhere. Relegation threatens the Gladiators while a Birmingham victory over Nottingham on Sunday would mean the Cardinals achieving play-off football again!