LVRG Double Header- Bout Wrap Ups 6/14/14

This weekend was double the excitement for the Lehigh Valley Rollergirls (LVRG) as LVRG’s Blast Furnace Betties took on the Reading Derby Girls and LVRG’s Metal Vixens took on the Pottstown Roller Derby Rockstars. 

The Blast Furnace Betties versus the Reading Derby Girls game quickly established LVRG as the dominant team. About 10 minutes into the first half, the Betties had a commanding lead over the Reading Derby Girls, 65-17.  LVRG acquired lead jammer status the majority of the jams and continued to build the score to 91-19 with 15 minutes left in the first half of game play.   LVRG lived up to their reputation for having strong defensive walls and aggressive jamming. At half time, the score was 149-38 favoring LVRG.

After switching benches, and some strategy change ups, LVRG was expecting a new and refreshed Reading team after the half time.  LVRG however wanted no part of that and came off their benches looking to continue their point streak in the second half.  The Betties forced jammer track cuts, got natural grand slams (this happens when a jammer laps the opposing jammer while both jammers are in play and on the track), and rotated all blockers in to be jammers. Half way through the second half, the Betties continued their lead, 222-50.  Rounding out the last few minutes of play, the Betties shut the door on any possible Reading win.  The Blast Furnace Betties secured the win with a final score of 273-77.

In the second game of the night, the LVRG’s Metal Vixens immediately were met with fierce competition against the Pottstown Roller Derby Rockstars (Pottstown).  Although LVRG got a quick jump in points in the first few minutes of play (38-2), Pottstown was a definite threat with relentless jammers.  LVRG was dominating in points, but it wasn’t reflective of the fight between both teams.  15 minutes into the first half of play, LVRG was up 56-9. However, most of points were gained through power jams and were not necessarily from jammer natural calls offs. A natural call off happens when both jammers are on the track, and the lead jammer strategically calls off the jam before the other jammer can gain points.

Slowly, LVRG seemed to show they were the more strategic team by bridging their packs and containing the opposing jammers. Once LVRG found their system to synced together to form a wall of force to keep out the opposing jammers, the score began to reflect it. By the end of the first half of game play, the score was 102-30, LVRG.

The Metal Vixens kept this rhythm going into the second half of game play and shut out Pottstown from getting any points for the first 12 minutes of play.   With 12 minutes left in the first half, the score was 176 (LVRG) to 37 (Pottstown).  The Metal Vixens began rotating in new jammers and began testing some new strategies, one in particular they call Omaha and another called Two Cats.  By the end of the game, the Metal Vixens took the win with a final score of 225-83.

Looking ahead, LVRG has 2 tough games ahead of them.  This weekend LVRG’s All-Stars will be meeting up with the Charlottesville Derby Dames at the East Coast Derby Extravaganza. According to flattrackstats.com, LVRG is not expected to win and should only score 8 points for every 19 of Charlottesville’s points.  This will be a tough game for LVRG, but if they secure at least 40% the game’s total points, even a loss will help LVRG in their overall WFTDA rankings.  And the following week, LVRG travels to Providence, RI to play their WFTDA team. In that game, LVRG is expected to get 11 points for every 30 that the Providence team scores. Again, if LVRG can secure at least 35% of the game’s total points, a loss will increase their standings.

Find us online at: http://www.lehighvalleyrollergirls.com

All functions will be held at the Independence Family Fun Center, 4345 Independence Dr, Schnecksville, PA.

For more information about becoming a skater or official, contact us at join@lehighvalleyrollergirls.com

All photos compliments of Michael Hess.

A big thank you to all of the volunteers, officials, friends, and family that make our team the best in the Lehigh Valley. This is as much your team as it is ours. Thank you