Hampshire Thrashers - 13 @ Ipswich Cardinals - 38

The Ipswich Cardinals played the second of back to back home matches on Sunday – and came up trumps again!
After defeating the East Kent Mavericks at Northgate the previous week, in a somewhat dour, hard fought and close defensive battle, the win over the Hampshire Thrashers this week was just the opposite.

Advertised as a possible pyrotechnic shootout, the feared passing attack of the south coast side coinciding with the return of Cardinals quarterback Oz Gardner positively whetted the appetite for gridiron fans in Suffolk!

As it turned out, the game pretty much did what it said on the tin with the hosts ending on the right side of the 51 points scored, running out 38-13 victors.

With Gardner back at quarterback, allowing Don Candis to revert back to his running back role, and Paul Borstel back to 100%, plus Mike Royster at wide receiver, the Cardinals offense looked a much more balanced unit than the previous week. There was an air of excitement and an anticipation as the match kicked off and it wasn’t long before the first scoring opportunity.

After the Ipswich defense gave short shrift to the Thrashers opening drive, great field position gave the Cardinals a short distance to drive before Gardner crashed into the endzone from inches out for the opening score. Steven Baines converted the extra point attempt for a 7 -0 advantage.

Into the second quarter and another exchange of possessions led to the hosts extending their lead courtesy of Baines’ boot again, with a 29 yard field goal. 10-0.

The Cardinals defense was hungry and aggressive as usual but Thrashers quarterback Nick Watson was rock solid – and extremely accurate with his passing. He hit back to reduce the arrears with a touchdown pass to the diminutive speedster Stealey Wills, with Dom Williams converting the point after TD. 10 – 7.

So with Watson settling into a rythym, locating his wide receivers with comeback in mind, the defensive backs of Ipswich went on high alert. Rookie (first year) cornerback Nick Pyke darted in front of a Hampshire receiver and snared the ball before setting off on the sprint of his life. He went 72 yards untouched to extend the Cardinals lead before being penalised for a slightly over the top celebration, enjoyed only by the rejoicing masses in the Northgate stand.
Baines converted the TD for a 10 point lead at 17-7.

The Cardinals offense was a little hit and miss in this second quarter, mixing big plays with out and out ugly ones, not quite clicking into gear.

It was Watson again that produced the goods as he connected with wideout Kyle Latore for another passing touchdown, keeping the scoreline interesting while also looking threatening. The extra point attempt was blocked and the half ended with the score 17-13 to the hosts.

At this point it really was anybodys ballgame but Ipswich Head Coach Ian Girling could sense a steely determination in his squad, despite the offensive hiccups.

Kicking off into a stiff breeze the Cardinals defense did their job, forcing the visitors to punt possession away. Unfortunately, having let the ball bounce, the Ipswich return men were powerless to stop the ball as it rolled off the field at their own 3 yard line, leaving the offense some 87 yards from scoring (the Northgate field is 90 yards in length)

In this situation, with the defense primed for blood, the first objective is to gain enough yards to be able to punt out of trouble on the 4th down. Runs by Borstel, Candis and Mike Bell secured that. With a little more breathing room, the offense can be expanded somewhat, a pass to Royster, and a screen pass to Borstel helped there, and without missing a step, the offensive unit began a time consuming, well controlled drive that showed enormous promise – but best of all denied the visitors any scoring opportunity of their own.

On a 4th and short down Gardner fooled everybody by keeping the ball and heading right, instead of handing it off to either Borstel or Candis as the Thrashers expected. He gained 12 yards before stepping out of bounds and then 2 plays later threw a pass to the right hand corner of the endzone where Royster climbed highest to claim the scoring pass and cap an amazing drive.
Baines kept up his 100% record with another successful conversion, 24-13.

Into the fourth quarter and Ipswich’s leading scorer Don Candis capped another successful drive, scoring from close range to extend the lead further. Baines converted again, 31-13.

Now facing the wind, and an extremely tall order to boot, it was as though that 3rd quarter Ipswich score had really knocked the stuffing out of the visitors. When Watson was intercepted again it was by the other rookie cornerback, Alastair Norman. He took off, just as Pyke had done, as though his life depended on it, this time going 74 yards for the touchdown!

That score sealed Hampshires fate and sparked celebrations all round. It also enabled Girling and his assistants to get the least experienced squad players some game time, something that will surely hold those players in good stead in the weeks to come.

The final whistle blew to end a magnificent Ipswich performance. The squad can now enjoy a free weekend before the return rubber down in Winchester on the 19th.