On Saturday June 20, the Nashville Kangaroos headed to Louisville KY to take on the Ohio Valley River Rats. The weather was forecasted to be a scorcher, but that did not really bother the Rooboys as they headed up to Louisville this past weekend: they train in the heat and humidity twice a week all summer long anyway, so a 95-degree cloudless day was really just what the doctor ordered.
The opponent, Ohio Valley River Rats, is the combination team of Cincinnati Dockers and Louisville Kings. Both teams by themselves are a little short to take on the MAAFL Championship ladder teams but together they have been a competitive side. This year, the Roos had the return visit and were expecting quite the battle, after last season's match was tight until the fourth quarter: the Roos won 12.8(80) to 8.4(52).
We expected to see the Rooboys hungry for some footy. Afterall, they had narrowly lost to Chicago United on the road, and did not get a chance to vent their frustrations the following week as the St. Louis Blues had to cancel the game. But apparently, the heat must have gotten to the boys as it was the Rats who came out hungry. Even though the Roos drew first blood with a behind, the Rats struck back with a vengeance taking two goals and two behinds while the Roos struggled to kick straight. At last, Chris "Bagman" Moerman picked up a loos ball and snapped it through for the first major for the Roos. But the joy was short lived as the Rats picked up their third of the quarter and finished at 3.3(21) to the Roos 1.4(10).
Coach Marty "Thommo" Thompson must have been seeing flashbacks of the Chicago game, one in which the Roos kicked extremely poorly, costing them the match. The ensuing tirade was probably heard all the way to city hall, and apparently the message got through. In the second quarter, the Rooboys dominated, plain and simple, as all 18 players contributed. Rookie ruckman Justin "Biggie Me" White scored his first career goal, Neil "Nizza" Cumming found the range from deep in the far pocket (making up for three behinds in the first), Moerman notched his second on a lovely feed from Dee "Weeman" Vsetecka, and co-captain Damian "What's" Serong "With That", playing in the center half forward position for the first time as a Roo, showed how to blast a 50-yard set shot straight through. At the big break the Roos were out front 5.7(37) to 3.3(21).
While the boys took shelter at half time, Coach Thompson started moving a few players around, trying to maximize the matchups. And, pleased with the way the boys responded, asked them to see if they could win the premiership quarter in a similar fashion. But the Rats were not ready to give up just yet.
As the heat began to take its toll, the Roo role players began to really support the start. David Ackley, Daniell "Whippet" Leipply, and Aaron Rummage ran around the wings taking marks, harrassing the Rats' attempts to move into their forward line. Mike "Goon" Guinsburg and Evan "Colonel" Ling as fowards were relentless in chasing the defensemen, forcing turnovers and errant kicks. And when the Rats did get it up to the midfield, they were met by the likes of Mischa Nemeth and Todd "Tonka" Haralsonwho did not have any qualms about laying bone-crunching hits on the ball carrier. In a play that probably exemplified the tenacity, the Roos forced a turnover that was picked up by captain Luke "Ooga Booga" Nemeth and thanks to a perfect shepherd from Vsetecka, popped free for a 40-yard snap that cleared the goal line. The only other Roo goal went to Serong who sent another ICBM missile from about 50-yards out. The Roos wont the quarter and extended their lead to 7.8(50) to 4.4(28).
The first sixty minutes were just the previews and teasers though. Kicking with a slight breeze, the Roos shellacked the Rats for 10 scoring shots, 7 of which were majors. Matt Wheatley and Gilberto "Chimi" Ortiz ran freely through the midfield sending multiple passes into the forwards, who were only too happy to oblige. Travis "Quig" Quigley and Dave "Walka" Walker never allowed the ball to pass through the half back line. But the man with the moves was none other than Nick "Chopper" Parker. Time after time he picked up a loose ball and spun, danced, and bamboozled his way around the hapless Rats who were left grasping for air. The goals were raining from everywhere with Cumming getting a pair, Moerman his third of the day, and even Parker got on the scoresheet with a smartly played fake follwed by an accurate snap. And Mr. Consistency, Serong, obviously loving his role at CHF, ran his goal total to five, and his line score to 5.0, with none of the five shots ever being in doubt.
Final tally 14.11(95) to 4.4(28). The Roos now stand 2-0 against Ohio Valley, and more importantly evened their MAAFL record to 1-1 and their overall record for 2009 to 2-2. The Roos are ahead of Chicago for percentage but trail in points as Chicago has won both of its matches. The Roos will need help from either Columbus or Milwaukee to have a shot at dethroning the reigning champions.
While they wait for that to happen, the Roos will be happily sitting at home with two games in July being played in the beautiful Elmington Park. July 11 the Atlanta Kookaburras come calling. This is the biggest rivalry for Nashville, with 18 games played in 12 years (the Roos lead the all time series 14-4). Then on July 25th, the Minnesota Freeze makes its first trip to Nashville. The Roos are 0-3 against the Freeze with a tremendous match played in Minneapolis last year, when the Freeze literally clung to victory by less than a goal. Both matches are at 2 pm.
Score by Quarter:
First: OHV 3.3(21) to NAS 1.4(10)
Second: NAS 5.7(37) to OHV 3.3(21)
Third: NAS 7.8(50) to OHV 4.4(28)
Final: NAS 14.11(95) to OHV 4.4(28)
Best on Ground
Ohio Valley: Konrad Marshall, Jeremy Walker, Eric Floyd, Mike Hanavan, Chris Owens.
Nashville: Nick Parker, Damien Serong, David Walker, Neil Cumming, Luke Nemeth.
Goal Kickers
Ohio Valley: Mike Hanavan 2, Chris Owens 2.
Nashville: Damian Serong (5), Neil Cumming, Chris Moerman (3), Justin White, Nick Parker, Luke Nemeth
Field Umpires: Chris Ballman, Scott Matheson
Injuries: None
Attendance: 50
Article courtesy of NashvilleKangaroos.com.
