2018 Playoffs Atlanta Game 7: Jacksonville vs. Sun State
Jacksonville Roller Derby (Seed #3, WFTDA #9) vs. Sun State Roller Derby (Seed #6, WFTDA #15)
331
126
Saturday mornings in roller derby are often reserved for endurance laps — and Game 7 of the 2018 International WFTDA Playoffs Atlanta between Jacksonville Roller Derby of Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. (Seed #3, WFTDA #9) and Sun State Roller Derby of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia (Seed #6, WFTDA #15) was no exception. Jacksonville took the victory, 331-126, by relying on a pack-racing approach.
These fast packs and quick jammer passes are like the Ghost of Derby Past #talk2wftda
— Call the Jam (@callthejam) September 22, 2018
The speed looks like it really plays to the strengths of the Jacksonville jammers and its lovely to watch #talk2wftda #wftdATL pic.twitter.com/dygoaVPEnc
— titmouse (@t1tmouse) September 22, 2018
The New Jax City Rollers had 11 multi-scoring-pass jams in the first half, including a 31-point effort by Jamsterella that kickstarted a 112-28 scoring run. Jacksonville posted big points even when Sun State had lead jammer status, thanks to strong defense holding back Australian jammers who wouldn’t call off the jam. Jacksonville had a 175-55 lead at halftime.
The second half moved a little more slowly, with fewer big jams and both teams being quicker to call it off. Sun State found themselves in penalty trouble among their jammers and blockers, impacting defensive lineups and giving Jacksonville a total of 10 power jams in the game.
Jacksonville jammer Mad Dog Murphy had a strong second half, posting 35 points. She aged up from junior roller derby this season and joined New Jax City’s already-deep jammer rotation. After the game Mad Dog Murphy told WFTDA.tv the other jammers are “all really helpful and we all have different skills, they have all been so helpful.”
Sun State’s endurance was also on display, as the Swarm used just three jammers and Spinach took the star every other jam. She scored 77 points, while Rocketma’am had 26 and Alice Affliction had 23. Sun State was led defensively by team captain SX, Rattlin’ Bones, Brat, and Blockodile Dundee.
Spinach puts the “SPIN” in SPINach. #talk2wftda pic.twitter.com/L3aBiIlePM
— Mika! 🍑 (@NaptownMika) September 22, 2018
Jacksonville’s Jamsterella led all scorers with 93 points, while Mad Dog Murphy had 68, Leanne Groll had 60 and Erin Jackson had 49. Jacksonville’s blockers — including Atomic Mel-Down, Smith, and Legs R Us — worked to pick apart Sun State’s walls all game.
Jacksonville advances to face either Montréal Roller Derby of Montréal, Québec, Canada (Seed #2, WFTDA #7) or Bay Area Derby of San Francisco, California, U.S. (Seed #7, WFTDA #19) at 8:20 p.m. EDT on Saturday, with a trip to the 2018 International WFTDA Championships New Orleans on the line. The point differential in this game, against highly ranked Sun State, will likely benefit Jacksonville in the WFTDA rankings heading into Champs.
Yo somebody better be getting these OPRs some deep-tissue foot massages after this game. #talk2wftda #WFTDAPlayoffs #derbytwitter #wftdATL pic.twitter.com/4i943hLXCP
— Attitude & Pointe (@attitude_pointe) September 22, 2018
Sun State moves to the consolation bracket and will face Rat City Roller Derby of Seattle, Washington, U.S. (Seed #8, WFTDA #20) at 11 a.m. EDT on Sunday.
Back to 2018 International WFTDA Playoffs Atlanta Tournament Central