LEAVE IT TO CLEAVERS WILL BATTLE FOR TITLE
by JENNIFER PHILION (AKA LADY SHATTERLY)
Salt City Derby Girls (SCDG) team Leave It to Cleavers took another step in their stunning season turnaround on Aug. 16, topping the Death Dealers 97-88 to earn a berth in the Salt City Derby Girls 2008 league championship bout.
After dropping their season opener by more than 50 points to the Bomber Babes, the Cleavers rebounded to win their next two bouts and will once again face the Bombers in the title game, which will certainly be a repeat of the rowdy and raucous audience treat that it was last year (note: last year's title bout sold out, so get your tickets early from Smithtix or SCDG).
"I'm so happy with how this team has come together," said Cleavers captain Miss Disco Bliss following the victory at the Olympic Oval. "We've learned that this game really relies on solid teamwork, and we worked hard to get to this point."
The Cleavers used a balanced offensive attack with direct and decisive results. Dirty Pirate Hooker scored 37 points, while England's Glory had 33, but the Cleavers' relentless defense made the difference in the game. Cleavers blockers skillfully trapped the Dealers jammers in the pack, allowing their own point-scorers to claim lead jammer status and control the tempo of the bout. The bout was also more physical, in keeping with this year's improved level of play among SCDG skaters.
Several momentum shifts kept the crowd entertained, as the Cleavers jumped out to an early 20-5 lead, but the Dealers kept up the suspense by creeping back to within three points by the 13th jam of the bout. The Cleavers were able to hold their slim lead, then build it up again to a 51-37 advantage at halftime. Fans were roaring at the action, cheering on their favorite Derby Girl.
The Dealers came into the second thinking they could chip away at their opponent's lead once more, but the Cleavers kept their defensive intensity and held the Dealers scoreless in the first four jams of the period.
Finally, the Dealers' Moonraker broke free for a nine-point jam for the Death Dealers, who were still down by more than 20 points. At that point, the intensity got tangible, with elbows flying and hip and shoulder checks worthy of any hockey bruiser.
Penalties began to mount for both teams in the second half. Pivot skater Movin' Violation and blocker Smack N' Deckher made multiple trips to the penalty box for the Dealers, while Lez Zeppelin and MotoRedhead got sent to the sin bin for the Cleavers.
With less than 10 minutes to go, the Dealers finally found the spark they had been looking for defensively. Dealer co-captain Lady Shatterly moved from offense to defense, helping shut down Cleavers jammers while Moonraker went on scoring runs of 8-1 and 10-0. Suddenly, what had been a 37-point Cleaver lead was down to 17 points with the Dealers surging.
But as the final few furious jams played out, with Moonraker scoring another eight points and Legg Beater adding five more, it was clear the Dealers couldn't climb out of the hole they were in. The Cleavers claimed the victory and the right to a rematch against the Bomber Babes.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Championship Game Date Change
Due to a scheduling conflict with the Utah Olympic Oval, the Salt City Derby Girls League Championship bout will not be held on Saturday, Sept. 18 as originally scheduled. The League is looking into other dates.
Please check slcderby.com and Adventure Sports Weekly for updates on when the game will be held.
Reno Demons Coming to Town
Meanwhile, the Reno Battle Born Derby Demons will be in town Saturday, Aug. 30, for a bout against the Salt City Shakers all-star team. The game will be at the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns; doors open at 6 p.m. and play starts at 7 p.m. Check SmithsTix.com or slcderby.com for ticket information.