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Essex Spartans 0 – 29 Cambridgeshire Cats
The Cats ended a two game losing streak in style with a shutout road victory against their divisional rivals, tying both clubs at 2-2 as they chase the 3-0 leaders of the South East, the Norwich Devils.
The Cats defense managed to eradicate the penalties that had cost them in previous weeks, holding the Spartans offense to 118 yards, whilst defensive captain Martin Brown pulled double-duty as he made a impressive first start as Cats quarterback, completing 10 of his 13 attempts for 99 yards and 1touchdown. Pick of the Cats running was Dom Fox, who repeatedly broke tackles and evaded defenders to rush for 155 yards from 21 carries and 1touchdown.
The first quarter started with the Cats mean defense quickly snubbing out the Spartans inaugural drive, getting them possession in good field position. Quarterback Brown looked confident and in control as he marched his offensive unit down the field, helped by the ever-stellar running of running back trio Fox, Kelly and Kibbles. RB Fox leaves tacklers in his wake as he advance the ball downfield
This drive was capped off by 2006 Rookie of the Year, Louis Cooke, who recovered a Kibbles fumble that fortuitously had rolled into the receiver’s path in the endzone. Casey kicked the extra point for an early 7-0 lead. Another Spartans drive was thwarted despite The Cats missing leading tackler Justin Royer, as the returning 2006 sack leader, defensive end Rob Magee alongside fellow American Dave Delozier terrorised the Spartans backfield, both players making 6 tackles as well as forcing and recovering a fumble each.
Cambridgeshire’s offensive line afforded their talented backfield the time and space to advance the ball well into Spartans territory as the quarter drew to a close.
The second period started with the Cats opening up the pass, with Brown completing short passes to further open the run. Running back Kibbles benefited as he was able to cap the drive off with a 9yard scoring run, however on the ensuing conversion attempt Kibbles was injured as he received a pass 1 yard shy of the endzone, ending his promising day prematurely. The Spartans had more success on their third possession of the day, however once again the Cats defense stepped up and forced a punt before Essex could get in field goal range. Brown looked to the air once more, and completions to Mann and Wyatt kept a drive alive that was eventually held to a 38 yard Casey field goal. On their next possession, the Cats were able to find the endzone via the pass for the first time this season, as 2006 receiving leader Nate Ashby was found open in the endzone by Brown for a 27 yard score. Casey’s point after kick was good to put the Cats up 23 points to nil at the half.
Into the third quarter and the Spartans mounted a spirited fight-back; however, the short crisp passing and tough running up the middle was unable to penetrate the Cats defense, or the scoreboard.
Cat’s running back Fox was able to cap off a devastating display when he rushed in to score from a yard late in the third quarter.
The fourth quarter saw the Cats and Spartans sparring for possession and territory, Essex showing great heart to stay in the game to the very end. The most promising Essex drive of the game was ended when last seasons interception leader Nate Ashby finally got off the mark in that category this year as he picked off a long bomb from the Spartans quarterback.
The victory brings both teams records to .500 and the days result will make for a good comparison, as both teams now play Chiltern before a rematch at Cats field in 3 weeks time. Head Coach Rick Bice commented, “After two tough losses, we knew we had to come out firing and play to our best! We did that today! Martin stepped up for us to fill a serious void on the offense and did so in a big way. I couldn’t be more proud! Our receivers dusted themselves off from a poor start of the season to come through with some significant catches to keep drives alive! The backfield trio continues to churn out big games to give our offense multiple options! On the other side of the ball, the return of Rob Magee provided our defense the boost it needed with some key players missing! He’s a big time impact player! For the defense as a whole, the stat of seven points in four games says it all!”
All photographs courtesy of Cambridgeshire Cats