Providence Answers Maine, 110-59

By Xena Paradox, Last updated Fri May 22 2009 2:10pm

PROVIDENCE, RI -- In a May 9th match between two New England rivals, Providence fell into an early 27-8 hole against Maine but charged back to notch a solid victory, 110-59. With this win following up a defeat of Harrisburg, it was the first time Providence had won back to back bouts since summer 2006, and moved their 2009 record to 2-1. Maine remains winless in 2009, with two other losses to Boston and Charm City.

Though Maine claimed a leadoff lead jammer call and a 3-0 score, they'd also lose blocker Punchy O'Guts to a major penalty, the first of a series of box trips for the visiting team that  hampered them through the bout. With Craisy Dukes on the line against Jacked Rabbit, round 2 went 4-0 to Providence, as Rabbit found herself stuck behind Hot Sauce, escaping only to hit a wall of Riveters at the front of the pack.

Both Providence and Maine blockers earned their keep in these early jams – fighting for position, constantly hitting, and all around making it hard for both jammers to get through.  Maine had the first of only a few power jams that night in jam 7 as lead jammer Jetta von Diesel was sent off on a track-cutting major. Maine’s blockers executed this opportunity well, controlling the pack and allowing the first multiple-scoring pass jam of the night.  Olive Spankins grabbed two grand slams before time expired.  

Jammerless at the beginning of the next jam, Providence blockers Hot Sauce and Bleeding Rainbow created an amazing wall of leg which held Jacked Rabbit long enough to allow Jetta von Diesel back on the track and join the fight for lead. But Maine blockers controlled the front of the pack which allowed Jacked Rabbit to snag lead and 4 points.  As the penalties mounted over the following jams the Port Authorities' jammers tried defensive jamming, giving their boxed blockers time to reenter the track, but Hysterica! and Craisy Dukes both managed to grab lead over Jacket Rabbit and Killer Quick, respectively.

There was a change in momentum, perhaps owing to the number of Maine blockers in penalty box. Providence was now in control of the pack and the Riveters closed the score gap with a string of shutout jams, ending with a pivotal 12-point jam by Craisy Dukes that tied the game.  

In the next jam, Maine's blockers took control of the front of the pack allowing Olive Spankins to answer Dukes' 12-point jam with a 9-0 shutout of Baby Fighterfly, though Olive was knocked down hard in front of the Maine bench and called the jam from the ground.  It appeared she was hurt, and time would confirm this, as that was the last jam Spankins skated for the duration of the bout.  From that jam on, Providence controlled the rest of the half, going on a 24-1 scoring run giving the Riveters a small, but comfortable, 15-point lead going into halftime, the score 52-37. 

Second Half

Maine opened with 4 straight shutout jams,  greatly due to excellent defensive blocks by Breezy and Punchy O' Guts bringing the score to Providence 52, Maine 48.  Both teams were still struggling with penalties during the beginning of the second half,  but the Port Authorities spent almost the first 15 minutes without a full complement of blockers on the track.

Providence was back up to full strength in jam 5 as Craisy Dukes donned the star for the Riveters. The Mom Bomb gave her a bit of trouble on her opening pass, but Dukes got free and flew around the track for a grand slam as Maine's jammer Jacked Rabbit was stuck, surrounded by a wall of blue. On Dukes' second scoring pass, Trophy Knife had a well-timed  (though illegal and penalty-inducing) hit that knocked Rabbit down, allowing Dukes to sail by for another grand slam. Dukes added a third grand slam to the jam before time expired, making it a pivotal 15-0 jam that completely erased Maine's 11-0 run over the opening jams of the half.  

At this point, it became a game of pack position - the team with control of the front got lead jammer.  Again, like the first half, there were very few multiple scoring passes, as both teams' blockers were hitting hard and slowing down jammers.

Despite having fewer blockers on the track, Maine was able to pick up lead jammer more often during the second half than Providence (8 times to 7). The hard-hitting wall created by Maine tandem Punchy O'Guts and Patty O'Mean, combined with Breezey's ability to slow down the Providence jammers time after time, kept Maine within striking distance for most of the bout. However, the loss of Olive Spankins in the first half, who outscored all the other Maine jammers with 24 points in 5 jams, was a huge offensive blow to the Port Authorities.  

Maine's jammers fought hard, but were treated to jam after jam of excellent partner and replacement blocking by Providence. Particularly notable were Hot Sauce and Bleeding Rainbow. who handled the rear of the pack while F'Shizzy Borden and Trophy Knife locked down the front jam after jam.  Trophy Knife also contributed a number of signifcant key blocks during the bout, both offensively -- assisting Dukes in Jam 5 to 3 grand slams -- as well as defensively -- leveling Maine's jammers mid-pack.

Maine takes on the Dutchland Derby All-Stars this coming Saturday May 23rd at the Portland Expo.  The Riveters have a break until July 25th when they travel over the northern border to take on Montreal Roller Derby.

Photos: Anne Harrigan