Thunder Away

The Cardinals latest away trip was never going to be an easy day out, facing the only relegated side from the Premier League last season.

The Sussex Thunder have only lost twice this year, both times by narrow scorelines to the Division leading London O’s. By defeating the Hampshire Thrashers handsomely the previous week, the Cardinals had advanced into second place in the division. So this match up at the Broadbridge Heath Athletics stadium in Horsham, West Sussex has been eagerly anticipated.

Unfortunately for the travelling Suffolk side, things had transpired off the field that hurt their chances considerably, prior to a ball being kicked or pass being thrown.

Having been ejected in the Hampshire game, Ipswich’s star quarterback Oz Gardner was forced to sit out this match, suspended. Which meant the starting job went to James Branton, the 20 year old rookie that deputised for Gardner after his dismissal in Winchester.

Ultimately it proved too big an ask for the Cardinals and the 13-20 scoreline proves the gutsy performance can definitely be overturned with a full squad available for the home fixture at Northgate on July 31st.

Things began badly as the opening kick return was fumbled. That led to the opening score as Thunder running back T K Chisango capitalised on the short field given up by the visitors. John Searle’s conversion hit an upright however but the hosts were 6 points to the good.

Branton and the Cardinals offense struggled to get going, allowing the Ipswich defenders plenty of time on the field to get acclimatised!

At the start of the second quarter things looked up as the Suffolk men hit back. Flushed to his right, Branton threw a pass toward receiver Mike Royster who out jumped two defenders, caught the ball and sprinted towards the Thunder endzone. Touchdown Cardinals. Steven Baines conversion attempt was blocked, 6-6.

Halftime came with the scores level but concerns for the Ipswich coaching team at the offenses lack of production. The Sussex defense were still playing like a Premier League outfit and making progress against a pretty immovable object is heavy going!

In the third quarter it looked like another Ipswich touchdown as utility player Omar O’Connor took a pitch from Branton, then threw it towards a wide open Ben Gladwell in the Thunder endzone, all alone – incredibly, a Sussex defensive end reached up and tipped the ball upward before catching it himself to cancel out a certain scoring pass.

On the next Cardinal possession O’Connor made amends when he outsprinted the cover from 10 yards out to claim the lead for Ipswich for the first time. Baines converted.

Thunder quarterback Oli De Ruyter orchestrated a scoring drive of his own at the end of the quarter and finished the drive with a scoring strike to receiver Chris Jones, Searle converted and again, the ballgame was tied at 13-13.

In the fourth quarter the heat of the glorious weather began to take its toll on both sides. The small 30 man squad that travelled south fought manfully but when De Ruyter took advantage of a harsh “roughing” penalty to keep a drive alive, it was a heartbreaking sight for the Cardinals faithful when the quarterback threw a long scoring pass to Andy Miles to signal the hosts advantage.

Searle converted to end the scoring on a day that proved to play the best, you have to be the best.

With hindsight, starting 3 rookies on the offense against formidable opponents, plus travelling with a small squad that included just 3 defensive linemen, to lose by just one score was a creditable performance by the Cardinals. The disappointment felt after the match by one and all is proof of the hunger and determination of this 2011 Ipswich team.

Next up are the division leading O’s on July 10th – that game is now a HUGE must win for the Cardinals – don’t bet against them!