Playoffs

Despite numerous protests and appeals right until the eleventh hour, Cardinals quarterback Osborne Gardner was denied the chance to lead the Ipswich side on Sunday, forced to sit out a second game in suspension after being ejected in a game back on June 19th. The dynamic playcaller was benched for the following game, serving the mandatory one game ban for any ejection but neither he, nor the Cardinals management or coaches was informed of a second game ban until after the regular season ended.
It was a bitter blow to both the player and team and not ideal preparation for a number 8 seeded Suffolk side to travel and face the number 1 seed London Olympians.

Never a side to admit defeat however, the rest of the squad made the journey to Blackheath Rugby club and played their hearts out. In the end the hosts clung to victory, literally, as the last Ipswich pass attempt in the dying moments was intercepted at the O’s goal line, giving the unbeaten hosts the win despite a scoreless second half.

This game would surely have graced the championship final, let alone the quarter final, and could have gone either way throughout.

The hosts opened the scoring on their first drive when quarterback Bishop Adkins threw a pass through the heart of the Cardinals secondary to receiver Kenny Bello for a touchdown. Kicker Ashley Faires put the ball
through the uprights for a 0-7 O’s advantage.

The Cardinals hit straight back when their rookie QB James Branton threw what looked a scoring pass to Mike Royster, but the livewire receiver was judged to have pushed off a defender before catching the TD pass.

Just two series later though, the Suffolk side did score an equaliser when linebacker Niall Simmons charged down an Olympians punt before scooping the ball up and returning it into the endzone. Ipswich kicker Steven Baines kicked the extra point, 7-7.

The seesaw action continued as the half progressed. Both defences flew at their opponent, collisions got more and more intense as these two old rivals stood toe to toe. It was thrilling stuff.

The Cardinals forced their way into field goal range but Baines kick was blocked and the loose ball was grabbed by Djamal Salim who returned it 35 yards for the score. Faires again converted to make it 7-14 and the half expired.

Down by just the one score and playing great football, the Suffolk side knew they had it in them to more than match their illustrious host in the second half.
And that’s exactly what they did. In fact, the teams continuously cancelled one another out as long offensive drives were held by battling defensive units, fumbles were forced by both teams, punt returns were a lottery as nerves began to shred.

Long rushes from both Don Candis and Jermaine McArn set the Cardinals up in great positions but the O’s defending proved dogged. Countless times in the half the O’s were forced into third and long plays, then into punting.

As the minutes ticked away it came down to one last Ipswich possession to try and tie the game and take it to overtime. Driving steadily forward the Cardinals were helped by O’s infringements, which just added to the tension. Damico Perry had shared time with Branton at the quarterback position and it was Perry that launched the final pass toward the O’s endzone and the waiting hands of Royster. Unfortunately for him, the pass was short and linebacker Kevin Okpoti jumped to snare the pass at the goal line before running forward to safety and being tackled at the 20 yard line.

It was heartbreaking for the travelling side, who came just inches from equalising and the chance to finally beat a historically great team.
There was mutual admiration all round at the final whistle and the Cardinals left the capital with their heads held high. It was another exceptional season for Ipswich and with plenty of youth eager to improve in 2012, things look bright in Cardinal country.