Cardinals twenties

Success for the Cards yesterday when they immediately scored a touchdown prompting an excited decamp of the Cardinals sideline to that end zone, but from then on the ball rolled downhill, it ended Ipswich Cardinals 07-22 Colchester Gladiators.  Regrettable Cards penalties were two delay of game, one too many players and under pressure a new to us illegal batting.  A novelty were police cadets working the chain gang and ball persons but regrettably after 12 years it was Matt Agate's last game.

Despite yesterday's absolute scorcher at Ipswich Cardinals10-27 East Kent Mavericks the bar didn't sell out of draft Guinness even at a promotional £1/pint but good to see the Cards had water bottles sorted.  The Cards were leading 10-00 at the half but it all went to pieces in the second with fumbles, interceptions and an ejection.  Next home game and this year's final regular season game 6 August.

Ipswich Cardinals Juniors towards the end of the second half were coming back but still lost 34-24 to the together South London Renegades.  The Junior's bigger brothers had an outstanding start against Sussex Thunder, 21-00 at the half including a touch down on the very first play.  Sadly the Cards lost focus in the second half but still won 21-12.  We were impressed by the kicking on both sides of the ball.  Next Cards game 4 June away to Colchester Gladiators.

Ipswich Cardinals Juniors played 9 a side with kicking for the first time Sunday.  We were told there had been an ejection in the first half and the second half was an absolute PenaltyFest, even had Ineligible Player Downfield.  A Rushmoor Knights 20-12 win that ended in a sporting manner.

The first play of the seniors v Essex Sabres got three flags and we thought Not another Fest but the game was hard fought with another impressive Cards four play goal line defence and in Q3 a first down gained from a fulsome pile push.  Three Cards TDs in Q4 gave them a 26-11 win.

The season opened yesterday in Benfleet with a 6-0 Cards win over Essex Sabres.  Though it was always hard play after a shaky start the Cards mostly looked just fine.  A pity was a Cards TD called back for block in the back but magnificent was the Cards' four play goal line stand with pretty much minutes to go.

Very regrettably a neck injury to Cardinal Jake Larter Yallop in Q3 needed an ambulance which arrived surprisingly promptly in these difficult times.  Thankfully Jake left hospital today without a serious problem.  Our very grateful thanks to the visiting NWA Photography who so kindly lent us a lens extender.

When we visited the Ipswich Cardinals last Sunday we found a lot of change happening.  During the rugby season the Cards are training at Kesgrave High School, there are newly designed uniforms coming (the logo changed in 2021), this season the juniors are playing 9 a side a format that includes kicking, both juniors and seniors have sponsors and we are expectant that half time entertainment will be back on match days.

Yesterday somewhere between Bury St Edmunds and Cambridge both ways there was very heavy rain but none to speak of at Cardinals 08-57 Cambridge Cats.  A lot of Cards injuries so it was gratifying to see that the medic was following play and ready to come on when asked by the refs.  Season end for both teams and an undefeated one for the Cats.

Sometimes the ball rolls downhill ... sometimes when things go wrong they just keep getting worse.  Yesterday Cardinals 00-63 Norwich Devils.  To the Cards credit although inevitably frustrated, at least one player extremely so, there was no on pitch indiscipline that we saw.  The Devils' game presentation is increasingly polished with announcer, scoreboard, toilets and yesterday a mobile bar and a van that sold out of ice cream doughnut type treats.

For their last home game this year the Cardinals hosted the Colchester Gladiators.  A game of event and incident with rain that thankfully went away during the first quarter, two ejections, a safety and a Cards lateral pass!  In the end despite consistent and powerful running from the Cards #36 Henri Clements a Gladiators 21-06 win.  The Cards are just down the A12 at the Gladiators next weekend.

This afternoon at the Ipswich Cardinals for the first time we just spectated an american football game .... it was very pleasant.

Oh Joy!  The Ipswich Cardinals are back Sunday and at their new Rushmere St Andrew ground.  Opponents are the Ouse Valley (it's Bedfordshire) Eagles who are one of the friendliest american football teams we've met.  There's food, drinks in the clubhouse and spectators are expected to observe Covid guidelines.