As the 2006 BAFL season hits its mid-point, the Cambridgeshire Cats' tight victory over their rivals the East Midland Saxons means that Division Two East is wide open. It was never going to be a pretty game when two of the league's best running attacks met head to head, and for the best part of the day it was a knock-down, drag-'em out, ground game affair.
The Cats defense was ready to make its impact right from the start. After a stalled drive by the offense, BAFL Player of the week Justin Marsh forced and recovered the first turnover on the day. Cats fullback Steven Morrison started the scoring off by finishing off a 3 play drive with an 8 yard TD run continuing on the success he enjoyed against Maidstone two weeks previously. The extra point was blocked. The rest of the quarter was traded by both the Saxons and Cats defenses. The second quarter saw the Cats offense come to life again when Steven Morrison completed a 5 play, 48 yard drive with a 14 yard TD; his second two-touchdown performance in as many weeks. This extra point was made by Matt Casey, which would prove critical in the end. However, the Saxons came right back with a 54 yard drive deep into Cats territory. But the Cats defense came good again, stopping the drive and causing a turnover on downs. Again, the Cats offense stalled as the Saxons defense raised its game. However, the Saxons next drive was short lived as that man, Justin Marsh showed again at the telling moment. The Saxons went to pass on a long 3rd down play and just as Saxons QB Mark Kerr was throwing, Justin hit him and forced a throw that went direct to Simon Lewis. This ended the half as the Cats ran out the clock.
The Saxons though were not going to let this game go easily. The Saxons had their own weapon in the form of tailback Ricky Benson, who came to life in the second half as the visitors rallied to overcome a thirteen-point deficit. The Saxons took advantage early in the third quarter after a bad snap exchange that resulted in a fumble. Ricky Benson capped a 5 play, 35 yard drive with a 9 yard TD run. However, the Cats defense held strong, denying the 2 point conversion. Cambridgeshire’s offense could do nothing on the next drive as the Saxons defense stepped up. Matt Casey pinned the Saxons back on there own 3 yard line with an incredible coffin corner punt. But the Saxons tailback would not be denied his second score of the quarter. He capped the 13 play, 97 yard drive with a 23 yard run. But again, the Cats defense rose to the challenge and the two stand-outs of the day went head to head and Justin Marsh came out on top, stopping the 2 point conversion by Ricky Benson just short of the goal line. The fourth quarter started slowly as both teams had already laid virtually everything on the line. But the kick return by Gurkinder Mann put the Cats at mid field and combined with a 15 yard penalty, put them in great field position. The drive stalled 19 yards later and was almost capped by a 33 yard Matt Casey field goal that just shaved the outside of the post. This spurred the Saxon offense in to life and they came out flying. The Saxons RB broke free around the left side of the Cats defense and he looked like he was on his way to finishing off the game. However, Justin Marsh had other ideas. To finish off his impressive stats of eleven tackles, forced fumbles, recovered fumble and QB hit leading to an interception, he came from behind to force his second fumble of the day and Simon Lewis was there to pick it up. The Cats offense took over from there and ran the clock out to take there second victory of the season. At the end of the day, the Cats were victorious, 13-12, which leaves them at .500 going down the home stretch.
Cats Head Coach Rick Bice commented, “This was a hard fought game that has become the norm here in D2 East. Both teams gave everything they had and we are glad to have come out on top. The Saxons are a solid team and I look forward to the return fixture here in 4-5 weeks time. I expect it to be the same sort of hard-hitting football on that day!”
The Cats however suffered a major blow early in the game with a season ending leg injury to Eliman Jallow. Coach Bice went on to say concerning the injury, “It was unfortunate what happened and Eli’s field presence at LB will be missed. However, this team, this family, has faced hardships already this season and we have become stronger because of it! We pray that his surgery goes well and he rejoins us on the sidelines as soon as possible!”
The race for a spot in the playoffs and Britbowl XX heats up even further on July 9 when the Cats host the Colchester Gladiators. Fans will remember the heartbreaking loss to the Gladiators on the final play of the previous game in May, and the Cats will keep this in mind as they fight to take the lead in their division. Kickoff is at 2.30pm, and the Cats would like all of their supporters to cheer them on at their ground on Coldhams Common. If you are interested in playing for this up-and-coming team, please visit www.cambridgeshirecats.com for more information.