Port Authorities 189, Queen City Rollergirls Lake Effect Furies 54
2.12.11 | Portland Maine
Bout recap by Milhouse Van Bouten
Maine Roller Derby’s Port Authorities opened their most ambitious season yet with a bout against Queen City Roller Girls’ Lake Effect Furies from Buffalo, NY at Happy Wheels Skate Center. The Furies came off a successful year in 2010, finishing their official season with an undefeated 2-0. On top of their on-track success, 2010 saw the completion of the Furies’ WFTDA apprenticeship, and the QCRG becoming full-fledged members of the major leagues. The Port Authorities’ last inter-league bout was a nail-biting 4-point loss to the Naptown Tornado Sirens in Indianapolis in October. After a 3 ½ month off-season, Portland’s all-stars were more than ready to do battle with a confident Buffalo squad.
Both teams seemed evenly matched in the first few jams. The Furies capitalized on the blazing speed of jammers Addy Rawl and B’kini Whacks to get a jump on Portland’s offense and keep the game tight. Shortly after, Port Authorities defense felt out the Furies gameplan and started a steady single-digit scoring pace over them. Jam Nine saw the most offense: Furies jammer Addy Rawl triggered the turbo, catching the PA’s defense off-guard and skating for a quick lead, but was assessed a major back block penalty on her second pass. Portland’s Barbara Ambush was the lone jammer remaining. As the Furies tried to speed away, Portland’s defense expertly held back and forced no-pack situations that left the Furies unable to touch Ambush as she circled the track repeatedly. Ambush was finally caught and dropped with a dangerous high hit to the face, but not before racking up 19 points. The Furies showed great resilience, however, keeping a roughly equal scoring pace with the Port Authorities for the rest of the half.
Things headed south for the Furies in the second half. Penalties racked up, and they found themselves short-staffed and without a jammer too often to keep up their competitive play. Several jams started with only a Port Authorities jammer on the line, and Portland took advantage by kneeling at the jam start whistle, creating a no-pack situation that started the jams immediately and cancelled any Furies attempts to burn their jammer’s penalty time. In Jam Eleven, Portland dropped the bomb: Lake Effect’s jammer Addy Rawl committed two consecutive majors and could only watch helplessly as Portland’s defense completely stopped pack movement. Port Authorities jammer Grim D. Mise scored a huge 29 points on the shorthanded Furies, and there was no looking back. Portland rolled on for a victory in their season opener with a final score of 189 – 54.
Video recap by Punchy O’Guts
Port Authorities Roster
Barbara Ambush | Crystal Whip | Grim D. Mise | Itsy Bitsy Fighter | Lez Lemon | Li’l Punisher | Patty O’Mean | Polly Gone | Punchy O’Guts | Shirley B. Slammin’ | Spry Icicle | WrexZilla
Lake Effect Furies Roster
Addy Rawl | BJ Harmstrong | B’Kini Whacks | Busty Pipes | CU~T | Dr. Dementer | Lip Service | Mexicali Bruise | Pepper Stix | Red Fox | Ruby Revenge | Sheer Tara | Stormie Weather | Vajenna Warrior
MVPs
Port Authorities: Li’l Punisher
Lake Effect Furies: Addy Rawl
Top Scorers
Port Authorities: Grim D. Mise (96)
Lake Effect Furies: Addy Rawl (25)
