Ipswich Cardinals

Initially Sunday visitors the Essex Tridents were moving the sticks smoothly using the run but by the second quarter hosts the Ipswich Cardinals were starting to cope.  In the final quarter the Cards came back with a safety and a trick PAT that worked beautifully.  The game ended for a not unrespectable 10-20 loss ... already looking forward to next season ...

Needs to be said that Ipswich Cardinals 17-00 Berkshire Renegades was a bit coloured by the Renegades having just some 20+ players.  An impressive streak from the Cards' kicker #27 who on the same drive recovered his own onside kick followed later by placing a fourth down punt so close to the Renegades line they had to play it making maybe just a handful of yards.

Sunday we were confused (easily done these days) by the Ipswich Cardinals pitch having moved and rotated.  It seemed to disorientate the Cards too who used up three time outs getting a complete set of players onto the field.  Guest of honour Terry Butcher interviewed said his favourite game was any one where they beat Norwich, he had no rights in pix of him bloodied against Sweden otherwise he'd own a tropical island and he thanked the Cards for helping his family.

The forecast was even money rain for the Cardinals at Colchester Gladiators yesterday but the weather restrained itself to just spitting early on.  It was pretty much a scoreless even stevens until a Gladiators touch down out of nowhere just before half time.  Later a Cards interception looked like a shoo in TD until the ball carrier stumbled and fell.  The Cards rather lost focus in the fourth quarter and their 16-03 loss would have been three points worse if a Gladiators field goal attempt hadn't hit an upright.  It was shortly followed by three victory formations in a row to end the game.

A very welcome Cards win Sunday but it was stressful for the spectators.  Well within the final two minute warning the visitors touched down but failed to complete the two point try after td making it Ipswich Cardinals 36-35 Ouse Valley Eagles.  Now the Cards had to face an onside kick having bogged one up earlier but a happy ending and just one victory formation needed.

Cards coach Liam Smith's tweet says just about all about Sunday's Ipswich Cardinals 00-20 Norwich Devils.  We can add there were a lot of injuries (perhaps the dry weather made the pitch less forgiving) and the Devils' game day presentation was excellent.

Yesterday's Ipswich Cardinals 14-21 Colchester Gladiators was a little tetchy but disorder was limited to one outbreak.  Later there was a flop so spectacularly theatrical an opponent parodied it.  Chop block penalties were popular and place kicking accurate.  The Cards were leading 14-07 at the half but then things started going bad before worsening.  Next Cards home game 3 July against Ouse Valley Eagles.

Poignant last Sunday as the Ipswich Cardinals v Norwich Devils home game was the first without the management of Ralph and Jan Alexander though Jan was spectating and enjoying good company.  Local derbies can be tetchy affairs but despite a 32-13 loss to the Devils this one remained essentially good natured.  The Cards are failing to gel properly and sometimes still confusion about how many players on the pitch but they will get better.  Next home game 5 June against the Colchester Gladiators.

Sunday at a new and military looking sports facility on the Mersea side of Colchester the Ipswich Cardinals played the Colchester Gladiators.  No score in the first half but in the second quarter a ref advised a player Keep your gob shut.  Later in the quarter disorder broke out by the Gladiators' sideline leading to a single ejection.  In Q3 a Gladiator's converted td and field goal were the game's only scores.  Good news is Cards' one time wide receiver now punter Mitchell Melanaphy when good was brilliant.  Next Cards game May 15 at home to the Norwich Devils.

For one day only Sunday the Ipswich Cardinals moved round the corner to train amongst the dog walkers on the Dumbarton Road Rec.  Two hours of drills one of scrimmage including punts that when they were good were very good indeed.  Cards' first match of the new season weekend after next away in Colchester.

Lots of laughter at the Ipswich Cardinals' first practice after lockdown two and interestingly to us at least the first hour was spent on special teams ... no blocking below the waist on kicking plays.  New players (especially linemen) and rookies always welcome.

At the Ipswich Cardinals new venue in Rushmere despite steady rain with enough wind to make it uncomfortably cold an impressive near fifty players old and new turned out and just one spectator.  Some younger newbs unwisely thought shorts and a t-shirt suitable for the conditions and everyone enjoyed the rookie who when the ball came at him unexpectedly batted it away rather than catch it.  Know how he feels, we've done similar playing rugby.

Saddening but not surprisingly the Red Rooster Festival near Thetford has been postponed until next year.  Robert Stan Stamper (seen here on the Ipswich Cardinals chain crew entertaining the visiting Bury Saints sideline) at last year's Maverick Festival before dashing off to dance with his daughter told us the 2018 Roosterfest had been brilliant. ♫

What could be sisters at the Ipswich Cardinals last year added to Suffolk Ladies.