Riding The Storm

The Ipswich Cardinals inched their way closer to a play-off berth in the most thrilling fashion on Sunday. Trailing by four points with just a minute remaining, the hosts at the Northgate sports centre scored a late touchdown to grab the lead – then endured the longest 54 seconds ever seen in sports!

There were incredible scenes at the end of this nailbiting fixture between the second placed Sussex Thunder and the third placed Cardinals, in stark contrast to the unspectacular beginnings.

Despite the necessity of winning to keep the season alive, the Cardinals began in a lethargic manner, looking nothing like a side itching for revenge and up for the contest. The visitors scored on their second possession when quarterback Eber Kington threw a perfect pass to the outside shoulder of receiver Adam Fishlock in the corner of the Cardinals endzone. Chris Percival kicked the extra point and Sussex led 0-7.
The Cardinals offense lifted themselves slightly and moved into field goal range, but their display in the opening quarter was summed up by kicker Steven Baines missed effort.

Into the second quarter and the Cardinals defense kicked into gear. First up, linebacker Niall Simmons intercepted a Kington pass. Then a big tackle forced a fumble which the defense recovered. Thirdly, another interception by safety Ryan Crighton won the ball back before the fourth turnover, another interception, this time by rookie cornerback Nick Pyke. On each occasion the offense failed to capitalise, although Chris Bishop was unlucky to have an 80 yard TD run called back for a holding violation. But no possession resulted in points and it was a disjointed and frustrated squad that left the field for the halftime break.

Head Coach Ian Girling called for unity at the interval, and a lot of air was cleared before the start of the third quarter.

The teams exchanged punts until finally, just as the fourth quarter began, Ipswich’s offensive unit found some rythym. A long drive based on the hard running of veteran fullback Paul Borstel resulted in quarterback Osborne Gardner plunging over the Thunder goal line for his sides first score.

Girling knew scoring opportunities were few and far between so called a two point play to try and grab a slim lead. Unfortunately Borstel fell inches short and the scoreboard read 6-7 to Sussex.
Nerves were starting to fray now and twice Thunder ball carriers were forced into fumbling the ball away. A long penalty against the Cardinals however enabled the visitors to advance into field goal range and Percival extended the lead to four with a 28 yard kick.

Into the last 2 minutes and the large Northgate crowd roared their side on. Gardner rolled left after faking the ball to two running backs on the right to retain possession on a huge 4th down play and with just 1 minute left on the officials clock he threw a 20 yard pass to favourite target Mike Royster at the back corner of the Sussex endzone. The slender receiver leapt above the covering defender and just came down in bounds to register an amazing touchdown, sending the entire Ipswich sidelines and grandstand delirious! Baines added the extra point for a three point Ipswich advantage.

The drama was nowhere near over though. Baines restarted and the visitors had just 54 seconds to mount a comeback.

Kington connected with receiver Chris Jones three times in a row for first downs as the Ipswich defense adopted a bend not break philosophy. With each play the Cardinals coaches asked for a timecheck, expecting the seconds to run down steadily. With every reply from the officials there was incredulity though, until it was announced there was 1 final second left for Sussex to attempt a simple field goal from in front of the posts!
Percival stepped up to kick the chip shot and amazingly pulled the ball wide to the left, giving Ipswich the win instead of tying the game!

It was an unbelievable end to a game of two halves and leaves the Cardinals with a great opportunity to advance into play-off contention with a win over last placed local rival, the Colchester Gladiators this Sunday.