Playing the Field: Teams dig deep to secure wins

Well it is March and the “Madness” is everywhere! But with any “disease,” there is a cure. And that cure is more Charlotte Sports!

Roller Derby

The Gastonia G Force had their home opening bout on March 16 down at Kate’s Skating Rink versus Kannapolis Rollergirls. The G Force were looking to bounce back from a tough defeat on the road March 1 against the Smoky Mountain Rollergirls, 180-118. The Kannapolis squad was just kicking off their season with this bout, but did not look rusty at all from the winter break. This was a defensive struggle from the outset as the teams exchanged the lead throughout the match. But, in the end, Gastonia was able to win the bout with a late rally to hold off Kannapolis, 166-155.

Next up for Gastonia are the Palmetto State Rollergirls out of South Carolina on April 6, while Kannapolis takes on the Charlotte Rollergirls B-Dazzlers on April 12 in Charlotte. For times and ticket information for these bouts, check them out online at facebook.com/gforcederby and charlotterollergirls.com/.

Dragon Boat

Last month, we brought you information on Queen City’s one and only Dragon Boat team, One World. Their season is quickly approaching now and they are looking for men and women of any creed or color to come try out and/or support their crew. The first race for the team is on May 17 here in the Charlotte area. They will be competing in the Charlotte Asian and Dragon Boat Festival taking place on Lake Norman. Check out the event’s website for time, location, and ticket information.

The rest of the team’s schedule is as follows:
Lake Lure — June 14
Beaufort, SC — July 26
Atlanta — Sept. 13
Carolina Beach — Sept. 20
Disney Orlando — Oct. 18

If you want any information not covered here, check out their Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/One-World-Dragon-Boat/146389255492768 or their website at oneworlddragonboat.org/.

Volleyball

The Carolina Showstoppers have done it! They completed an amazing undefeated season by sweeping through their league’s tournament 3-0 to take home the championship. The Showstoppers’ feat was made even all the more impressive by winning their two matches in the final with only five players on the court. They destroyed the Belmont Crushers 25-8 and 25-13, which had no answer for the big heavy spikes of Ron Tessener on the wing or the exceptional serving of Shawn Charlton and Bri Skinner. Congratulations to them and we wish them the same type of performance next year.

Rugby

The Royals have continued their winning ways into 2014 by beating two solid Southeast teams down in Charleston a month ago. First, Charlotte took on the Atlanta Bucks in game one of a three-team/three-game mini-tournament. Charlotte capitalized early on with a blocked kicked by Craig Maxwell, who also tracked down the bowl in the try zone for a score. For the remainder of the half, Atlanta controlled the ball and the tempo, but they were never able to convert any scoring chances. In the second half, the Royals wore the Bucks down and were able to score with their speed on the wings, winning 21-0.

In the second game, Charleston and Charlotte faced off. The Blockade have never beaten the Royals and Charlotte was not about to let that change. They overpowered and outran their southern opponent early on, building up a three-try lead at half and finishing them off in the second, scoring three more times, winning 38-0. The most impressive feat of those two matches was the goose eggs put up by Charlotte’s defense. It had become their calling card, so teams know they will have to score multiple times to defeat them, if they can.

Up next for Charlotte is a March 29 matchup with the UNCC men’s team and an April 12 matchup with Table Rock in Gastonia. These will be by far Charlotte’s toughest matches of the season as they prepare for the Bingham Cup in August. For more information, visit charlotteroyals.org /. : :