London Too Strong

The Ipswich Cardinals hopes of post season gridiron took a knock on Sunday, while their lofty opponents, the unbeaten London O’s clinched the division title with their eighth victory in a row.

This game was billed as a “must win” for the Suffolk side as they trade places with the Sussex Thunder for second place in the BAFA Division One South. In truth, the hosts could not be faulted for effort as they stood toe to toe with the confident capital outfit, but failing to capitalize on two great opportunities in the second half, ultimately led to their undoing.

The visitors kicked off to begin the game in super conditions at Northgate sports centre. The Cardinals offense took the field with quarterback Oz Gardner back at the helm having served a one game suspension, and showed no respect to their illustrious opponents.

Marching steadily upfield to great support from the generous crowd in the NSC’s grandstand, it was Gardner that capped a very promising scoring drive when he reached out to break the plane of the goal line with a three yard lunge. Kicker Steve Baines added the extra point and the hosts were 7 to the good.

The visitors hit straight back, signalling their intent by replicating the Cardinals scoring drive, keeping the ball on the ground by establishing a presence at the line of scrimmage. It was running back Alex Gabriel that scored his sides first touchdown, but kicker Chris Davies was unable to attempt the Point After when the hold was botched, making the score 7-6 to Ipswich.

Another promising Cardinals series gave the impression this game could develop into an out and out shootout, but on a fourth down pass attempt the ball fell incomplete at the O’s 15 yard line.

The visitors kept up their offensive momentum, just as the Cardinals had, but another running back, Toyin Omadara went one better by sprinting in for touchdown number two, giving his side the lead. There was an infringement on the two point attempt, forcing London back and a pass from quarterback Bishop Adkins was knocked down in the endzone, 7-12.

Throughout the second quarter it was the defences of both sides that began to dictate proceedings as the early scoring dried up completely. Like a heavyweight fight, this twelfth ever meeting between these old foes turned into a bruising slugfest.

First downs became a difficult ask and when a long touchdown pass from Adkins to wide receiver Steve Leonard was called back for holding, and Davies kicking woes continued with two botched field goal attempts, both sides were happy to end the half when they did.

Cardinals Coaches Ian Girling and Sandy Francis called for a renewed effort at the interval, stressing the 5 point London lead was easily within reach as long as the team (and coaches) held their nerve.

An interception early in the third quarter by safety Jermaine McArn gave the hosts excellent field position at halfway. A long scamper from Ipswich’s Chris Bishop ended with him being forced off the sideline at the London 5 yard line and the go ahead score looked on.

Two plays later however and disaster struck, Bishop was unable to field a Gardner toss and the loose ball was pounced on by a grateful London defender. How costly would that inability to capitalise prove?

Some dubious refereeing calls against Ipswich began to grate but when linebacker Gavin Bones intercepted another Adkins effort, the Cardinals were given another great opportunity.

Again, the offense drove upfield to within scoring range, willed on by a fervent support – but again they came unstuck when a huge defensive effort caused a fumble in the Ipswich backfield.

Twice then the Cardinals failed to gain the lead when scoring opportunities arose and as the fourth and final quarter got underway the visitors showed their mettle. Against a tiring defense, the Londoners pounded out a long drive that ended with Omadara surging through tacklers on his way to his second score and what proved to be an unassailable lead. Davies finally added the point after kick and the scoring ended at 7-19 in the division leaders favour.

For the neutral it had been an outstanding contest to watch with both teams battling ferociously at one another, ultimately though it goes down as another loss for the Cardinals who must now lift themselves for an away trip to Canterbury in a fortnights time.