Port Authorities 191, Queen City 104
Port Authorities vs Queen City Rollergirls | February 11, 2012 | Happy Wheels, Portland ME | Bout Recap by Milhouse Van Bouten
Exactly 364 days prior to this bout, Maine Roller Derby’s Port Authorities kicked off their 2011 WFTDA year against Buffalo, NY’s Queen City Lake Effect Furies at Happy Wheels Skate Center in Portland. The final score of the first-ever meeting between the teams was a solid 189-54 victory for the Port Authorities. A year later Queen City brought their A-game into town in a repeat showdown, helping Maine Roller Derby start their 2012 year in similar style.
However, in derby, a lot can change in a year. The Port Authorities had gone through much internal reorganization throughout 2011, including changes to the roster and coaching staff. Queen City experienced growth in their own right, gaining experience and sharpening their teeth against opponents in the North Central region. While the scene felt familiar, the end of this chapter was far from predictable.
Photo by Scott LovejoyQueen City, determined to have a different outcome, took control at the first jam as Fury Jammer Day TripHer grabbed lead away from opponent Grim D. Mise for a 4-1 jam. Fury jammer B’kini Whacks also beat Grim to the punch in jam three to score 6-4. The struggle for power began when Spry Icicle gave the Port Authorities their first jam advantage, scoring 5-0 in jam five. From there, the defense took over as the scoring was held to a minimum.
The PA blockers found their groove, highlighted by Punchy O’Guts skillful backwards-skating blocking in jam nine. In jam eleven, B’kini Whacks was sent to the penalty box, leaving Grim D. Mise as the only jammer. Grim unloaded one of the most spectacular jams in recent MRD memory, throwing down a beautiful spin move in her second pass and an amazing apex jump in her fourth. The jam hammered 30 points onto the scoreboard for the Port Authorities and set the home crowd ablaze.
Photo by Scott LovejoyThe Furies would not allow themselves to be intimidated by Grim’s superjam and continued to wrestle for control of the momentum. In jam twelve, Fury blocker Vajenna Warrior nearly single-handedly shut down Grim’s scoring streak, allowing teammate jammer Pepper Stix to score 8-4. B.J. Harmstrong tagged an impressive 13-4 jam for the Furies in jam fifteen, keeping the team very much alive. By the end of the half, the score was a competitive 87 – 55.
Pepper Stix began the second half on the right track for the Furies, scoring 8-0 over Grim. The battle for momentum began again when Spry Icicle scored 4-2 for the PAs. It looked as if the competitive pace set in the late minutes of the first half was going to continue, however, penalties added up for the Furies and they found themselves at a pack disadvantage. Outnumbered, the Furies had difficulty grabbing jam lead at a critical time, and the PAs steadily poured on the offense. Grim D. Mise returned to form, adding another 13 point jam in jam twelve, 8 points in jam fourteen, and 20 points in jam sixteen. Crystal Whip, Spry Icicle, and Jessica Aspiras supplemented the offense for Portland as well. Fury jammers scrambled to keep pace, denoted by 8 point jams from Day TripHer and Pepper Stix, but they could not solve the PA defense. Portland rolled on to another victory at home over Queen City, 191-104
Most Valuable Players
Port Authorities: Grim D. Mise
Lake Effect Furies: Vajenna Warrior
Top Scorers
Port Authorities: Grim D. Mise (122)
Lake Effect Furies: Pepper Stix (37)
Port Authorities Roster
A-Block | Crystal Whip | Grim D. Mise | Jessica Aspiras | Kissy Kicks | Li’l Punisher | Mae Snap | Mother Bones | Princess Lay Her Out | Punchy O’Guts | Shirley B. Slammin’ | Spry Icicle | T-Storm
Lake Effect Furies Roster
BJ Harmstrong | B’Kini Whacks | Busty Pipes | CU~T | Day TripHer | Ivanna Lay Her Out | Lip Service | Midnyt Maniac | Pepper Stix | R Rose Selavy | Red Fox | Ruby Revenge | Stormie Weather | Tuesday Hula | Vajenna Warrior | Vile Love it
