The Ouse Valley Eagles completed the two game series with Ipswich Cardinals on Sunday, walking away 58-0 victors, and finshing the series 2-0 winners, with an overall scoreline of 133-6. Three weeks earlier, the Eagles had travelled to Ipswich and handed out a big loss to a young Cardinals side, finishing 75-0.
On Sunday, the story was much the same.
The Cardinals showed up with only 20 players, and requested a running clock right from the start (this means the clock doesn’t stop, so the game only lasts 60 minutes), which the Eagles and Officials happily obliged.
This didn’t slow the Eagles down any, as after a quick 3 and out by the defense, it took only 2 plays before #31 Okuboyejo opened the scoring with a 12yd run. Okuboyejo also converted the 2Pt PAT.
The Eagles defense continued where they have been throughout the whole season, and dominated an Ipswich offense which consisted of linemen playing both ways and out of position players due to numbers.
#33 for Ipswich Jordan Mussington continued to be a bright spark for the Cardinals, as he was in the last game, and he shows all the signs of a running back with a big future ahead of him at just 18 years old.
However, it wasn’t long before the Eagles were on the score sheet again, with Okuboyejo bagging his 2nd TD of the day.
The Eagles took the opportunity to evaluate their players in a game situation, and with a big game against Kent looming, decided to rest starters where possible. The squad players grasped the opportunity with both hands, with Touchdowns for Kase Chibwe, Rick Price and Martin Day. Jack Davis-Fletcher also caught his first ever touchdown pass, on the receiving end of a lovely touch pass from Day.
The final score on the day was 58-0, which is a considerable amount bearing in mind the running clock.
Head Coach Will White had the following to say “I’m delighted with that win; it was a thoroughly professional job, against a very classy team in Ipswich. For our offense to put up 58 points with a running clock the full game is pretty impressive, and we didn’t punt the ball once the entire game, which is pleasing. Our defense continued their awesome form with a shutout, and the guys have just gone from strength to strength.
Our attention is now switched to Kent next week. If we win that game, we’ll be a prime spot for the playoffs, which was our goal at the start of the year. I feel pretty confident about that game, but I know they won’t make it easy for us. The managed to scrape a win at our field last time out, but we’ve came on so much since that game, not just on the field, but as a group of players coming together off it. I’m very proud of the way our guys have bought into what we are trying to do, and are striving to be great. “
Our thanks must go to the Cardinals who despite a very small squad, made the trip and played the game, a feat a lot of other clubs in the UK wouldn’t have done staring certain defeat in the face.
The Eagles next game is away to Kent Exiles, on Sunday 27th July with a playoff berth on the line. Details can be found below. If you can, please come and support your Eagles in their biggest game of the season, entrance is £3 at the gate.
