Essex Spartans 0 Cambridgeshire Cats 68
The Cambridgeshire Cats achieved three wins in a row in a single season for the first time under Coach Bice’s reign, as they defeated a depleted, yet heroic Essex Spartans squad on a scorching and punishing day at Cats Field. This is the Cats fifth straight victory over Essex, undefeated since losing the inaugural encounter between the teams back in 2002. The Cats sole running back Dom Fox earned a BAFL Player of the Week nomination for his 210 Yards from 21 carries and 3 touchdowns, but the real story of the day was the heart, resilience and sheer warrior spirit of the Spartans, who started the game with just 16 players.
The first quarter was a true contest, and even though the Cats marched down field with Fox finding the endzone from seven yards on the first offensive drive of the day, Essex showed their intent with solid tackling, hard hitting and close coverage in the secondary. The Cats defense, bolstered by the return of Rob Magee, Chris Cooke and new signing Paul Clayborn, held the Spartans, as they have most offenses this year. With good field position quarterback Brown continued his impressive adjustment to playing in the backfield in the kitted game as he hit tight end Martin Baker for a nine yard score.
The game was very much in the balance though, as Essex looked capable of hanging with the Cats. However, even fortune was against them as on the first Cats possession of the second quarter a hard hit from the Spartans safety saw a twenty eight yard completed pass to Steve Peck knocked loose at the seven yard line, only to bounce fortuitously into the direction of wide receiver Louis Cooke who collected the fumble for the touchdown. This was salt in open Spartans wounds, mirroring Cooke’s score that had opened the scoring in the reverse fixture a month prior. The newly installed east end goalpost was finally christened with the point after conversion putting the Cats up 19-0. The Spartans were now further depleted, with two players seemingly unable to return due to injury, but the fourteen men were still in the game. However, when an overthrown pass was picked off by Casey and returned thirty nine yards for a score and the successful kick, the now twenty six point deficit seemed beyond the valiant Spartans. On the next Cats drive, Fox rushed in from four yards to put the tally to thirty two points at the half. It was widely assumed that a running clock would be the order of the day for the remainder, but to their immeasurable credit the Spartans demanded the respect of a full game.
The third quarter started with more Cats fortune as a kick-off destined for the sidelines took an inexplicable bounce inwards and left the Spartans deep inside their own twenty. Still determined to force something from the game, the Essex quarterback threw a pass that was intercepted by linebacker James Kocherhans, who avoided dedicated and committed tackle attempts from the Spartans offense to return it for a twenty one yard score. Wide receiver Steve Peck collected his first score on his return to the Cats with a four yard reception on the Cats next possession. That score was followed with Casey collecting a wayward point after snap and completing the pass to Nick Moffat in the endzone for a two point conversion. Another deep kick off saw Essex once again backed up, and a fumble in the endzone was recovered by Kocherhans for his second and the Cats third defensive score of the day, Casey kicked for a fifty four point lead. Regardless of the score, the Spartans never wavered in their commitment to the game.
The fourth quarter was a true testament to the Spartans resilience, as they battled through the heat and fatigue. Fox rushed in from eighteen yards for his third touchdown of the game and Casey kicked to remove the stigma from the new west-end goalpost. On the Cats next and final possession a moment of commendable controversy occurred, when with two minutes left, Cats quarterback Brown informed the referees of his intention to kneel out the remainder of the game. This was met with a defiant demand from the Spartans defense to play until the end. In a show of respect for the valiant Spartans, the Cats continued playing in which Brown passed for his fourth scoring pass of the game, with a thirteen yard strike to Kinder Mann in the back of the end zone. Casey kicked the extra point for his twelfth and the Cats sixty eighth point of the game. Jovial yet defiant in the face of heavy defeat, to their credit the Spartans carried on, gaining a there lone first down day late in the quarter. The Cats defense took this as a wake-up call and shored up as the game wound to a close
The win puts the Cats 4-2 in BAFL 2 South East, giving them the carrot of playoff football to contemplate on their four-week break, should they win their next two games against East Kent Mavericks and at Norwich Devils. Essex slip to 3-4 and will be hoping for increased player availability as they entertain division leaders Norwich next week.
The Cats would like to extend their respect, praise and thanks for the classy and honourable display from the Spartans, who played every down to it’s fullest and kept good spirits between plays, even quoting “We are going to have the biggest comeback in BAFL history” during their final possession of the day. Head Coach Rick Bice understands the trials faced by undermanned teams, and has the utmost respect for the efforts shown by the Essex Spartans: “I can not speak highly enough of the efforts put forward by the Spartan players! It reminds me of where the Cats were a couple seasons ago when I took over coaching this team and we went down and played the London O’s, London Blitz and Bristol Aztecs all with only 13-15 total players available! We stuck to our task, much like Essex did in this game and we learned from it and grew stronger because of it. With the character of the players on the Essex squad, I can see them making the same turn around we have done! The Essex players were warriors today and did themselves proud!”
Coach Bice added, “The Cats did themselves proud today! We were able to use everyone in this game to further their experience when they are called upon as the season progresses! We have also finally finished the upgrades to the field, courtesy of the Cambridge Council and our GM Paul Wheal, with the new posts being installed this past Friday! That and the game day performance of our team made for a very special game day!”
Cats Defensive Coordinator Sean Grey commented: “It was a tremendous day for the Cats with a great game performance; however, it countered by the fact we are losing two players for the season in Magee and Gibson! With that, this game gave an opportunity for our offensive and defensive second-string players and rookies to get significant playing time along side some of our starters! I am especially proud of our defensive squad who were able to put some points up on the board as well! Most importantly, the Essex squad earned massive respect from us for carrying on to the final whistle. To me, the Essex players were the stars of the day! I use a little motto, which says, "Our greatest glory is not in falling but rising stronger every time we fall". We Cats have come to understand this and the Essex squad proved it again to us all in this game!”
The Cats would like to bid fond farewells to defensive end Rob Magee, 2006 Sack Leader, as well as rookie lineman Ashley Gibson. Magee is relocating overseas and his strong on-field presence will be as missed as much as his off-field leadership and personality. Gibson is also relocating; however, will be transferring to BAFL2 South West rivals Plymouth Admirals. The Cats wish “Gibs” the best with the Admirals and hope to meet him again on the field in the near future.