2017 D2 Playoffs Game 10: Paris vs. Columbia

Paris Rollergirls (#3) vs. Columbia Quad Squad (#11)

After a first half that looked to be anyone’s game at times, the Paris Rollergirls (#3) of Paris, France were able to pull ahead and take a hard-fought win over the Columbia Quad Squad (#11) of Columbia, Ohio, U.S. in Game 10 of the 2017 International WFTDA Division 2 Playoffs Pittsburgh.

Paris had a strong start to the game, with General Moulinator putting up a quick seven points to kick off the first jam of the game while a solid wall of Paris blockers held Columbia scoreless. They took lead for the next three jams and brought the score up to 34-4.

But at the end of Jam 4, Paris jammer Kurdy Malloy fell hard, taking an opponent with her and earning herself a seat in the penalty box for the low block. Columbia jammer Gilly the Kid was able to capitalize on the power start to take lead for the first time in the game — but with tough walls from both teams controlling the track, the Columbia jammer, and the Paris jammer when she was sprung from the box, both struggled with constant recycling and locked-down lines.

Blocker penalties caused some problems for Paris in Jam 9 as General Moulinator tried to fight her way by a solid wall of Columbia blockers — particularly Rox Ann Stones. Meanwhile, Gilly the Kid took lead for Columbia and, despite some effective one-on-one blocking by Buffonne, was able to rack up points while Paris’s pivot and two blockers sat in the penalty box. The jam ended with the first lead change of the game as Columbia took a 35-34 lead.

But the switch was short-lived. By the end of Jam 12, Paris had taken control of the scoreboard with a 52-44 lead as Kurdy Malloy collected grand slams against trapped Columbia jammers.

Paris was able to maintain their lead for the rest of the game and greatly increased the point differential. Both teams sent out powerful jammers who were able to capitalize on holes left in defensive walls, but on each side those holes were often hard to come by. Columbia and Paris displayed competing powerful tripods and four-walls that kept jammers locked down for 40 to 90 second stretches throughout the game, causing many jams to go without a lead until the final seconds. Quick one-on-one offense from Paris was often key throughout the game — giving them the edge to earn lead jammer status despite the brutal defensive work by their opponents.

Paris clinched their second victory of the tournament with a final score of 182-134, securing their spot in the D2 Championships bracket. They will play Tucson Roller Derby or Boston Roller Derby at 8:30 p.m. EDT on Saturday to determine seeding.

FINAL SCORE

Paris Rollergirls (Seed #2, WFTDA #43) 182
Columbia Quad Squad (Seed #11, WFTDA #52) 134