Bury set new record on way to crushing win, set for playoffs

Report by Chris Wallis - Bury

Photos Courtesy of William G Watson

The Bury Saints scored a Team record seventy eight points on their way to a demolition of Suffolk rivals, the Ipswich Cardinals. The 78-7 victory confirmed the Saints unbeaten 10-0 season and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

For the second game running, Bury scored on their first offensive play of the game. A botched Punt snap gifted the Saints possession at the Cardinals 13yd line from where RB Derek White swept into the end zone to open the scoring. Rookie Ainsley Richards found Ron Patterson with a pass for the extra points and the Green and Gold had an early 8-0 lead.

The Defence, led by LB Jesse Carlos, forced an Ipswich fumble which was recovered by LB Justin Gulley at the Cardinal 22yd line. RB White ran for 14yds before breaking free again for an 8yd touchdown run. Alex Clark kicked the extra point and it was 15-0 to Bury.

On the ensuing kick-off WR Axl Rodwell recovered an on-side kick at the Ipswich 21yd line. Strong running from RB’s from RB’s Chris May and Jake Swisher set up RB White for his third touchdown of the day as he powered in for his hat trick from the 1yd line. Alex Clark kicked the extra point to extend the lead to 22 points.

An interception by Cornerback Rob Giles ended the Cardinals next drive and gave the Offence possession at the Ipswich 30yd line. On the next play QB Fred Boyle connected with RB Swisher on a 29 yd. pass. But just as it looked certain that the Saints leading scorer would add to his total he fumbled the ball out of the back of the end zone for a touchback giving possession back to the home side.

Crucial tackles by LB Chris Smith, and DB’s Mike Galindo and Ryan Barry forced Ipswich to punt and the Saints were back on the move. Another Boyle to Swisher hook up and a long run by RB White had the ball at the Cardinals 1yd line as the 1st Qtr ended.

The 2nd Qtr started as the opening qtr had done for the Saints as QB Boyle scored on the first play of the period. The kick from Clark was good again and Bury were up 29-0.

Big plays by DE Luke Boggs and LB Jack Hewett forced Ipswich to punt again and Bury had the ball at their own 38yd line. RB Scottie Curry powered his way to the Ipswich 15 yard line with 37yd run before RB Ramsey Orr rumbled 14 yards to the 1yd line. Strong defence from Ipswich forced the Saints back to the 15yd line. But on 3rd Down RB May took the hand-off and jinked his way into the end zone for the Saints fifth score of the game. Once again Clark nailed the extra point for a 36-0 lead.

The Cardinals woes continued as they fumbled on the return and the Saints recovered on the Ipswich 13 yd. line, setting up RB Joe Hill for a touchdown run on the next play. Clark slotted the extra point kick and it was 43-0 to Bury.

Ipswich finally started to move the ball on their next drive with a good mix of strong running and excellent passes. But they fumbled once more and LB Gulley was on the spot to recover again at the Saints 18yd line.

QB Boyle opened the drive with a 25yd pass to WR Brando Faison followed with another completion to RB Swisher for 32yds. QB Boyle then connected with WR Faison again at the 8 yard line from where he scrambled home for his second score of the game. Boyle also added the extra points to complete the scoring for the half and give the Saints 51-0 lead at the break.

Bury continued the pressure on the home side as WR Faison returned the kick-off to the Ipswich half way line. RB May ran for 25yds and then followed up with a 20yd touchdown run on the next play. As ever, Clark’s kick was good and the lead extended to 58 points.

A tackle for a loss by DT Derek Wennersten forced Ipswich into yet another punt and the Bury Offence went back to work. Strong running by RB’s Swisher, White and May moved the ball 30yds to the Cardinals 20yd line from where QB Boyle found WR Evin Reese in the end zone. The reliable Clark added the extra point for a 65-0 lead at the end of the 3rd Quarter

Ipswich next drive saw them finally get on the scoreboard when they ended a long drive with a 4yd rushing touchdown. The Cardinals kicked the extra point to make the score 65-7.

Another long Kick-off return by WR Faison, who made his way to the Ipswich 23yd line before being forced out of bounds, was followed by a penalty against Bury. RB Ramsey scampered for 18yds and then RB Curry capped off the drive with a 10yd run. Clark completed his record setting day by kicking his eighth extra point of the game and a 72-7 lead. 

A 6yd plunge by RB Swisher as time expired was Bury’s final score of the game and came after RB Curry had broken free for a 74yd run.

Saints Head Coach, Chris Wallis, said “WOW! What a way to finish the season! We were aware that the Cardinals had improved a lot over their previous two games, not to mention it was the Suffolk Rivalry game, and that Ipswich would really be up for this game. But everyone responded brilliantly and we had nearly 40 players at our midweek practice and I think that was reflected in the score today.

When we started this team just two years ago, the Ipswich Cardinals were the team we wanted to emulate. So to get this result in our second season is a great achievement and a credit to everyone involved with the organisation.”

The win confirms that the Saints are the top ranked team for the playoff’s and will host the Cornish Sharks in the Quarter Finals on the 23rd August.

Wallis added “Completing the regular season just means we have to work even harder in preparation for the playoffs. There are some very good teams in the last eight and we certainly won’t be taking anything for granted. The Sharks play in a very tough Division and have a history of travelling long distances and performing really well. They are very well coached so it’s time to put Sunday behind us and knuckle down.”