This past weekend, NOVA traveled to Nashville for Nash Bash '06. In festive pirate gear, NOVA received an immediate following with shouts of "Arghh" and pirate impersonators on sunday.

NOVA A faced Chicago North Shore B and shut them out 21-0. Billy led the offensive assault with two tries. DQ scored a try and a conversion while Chicky touched one down too.

Top seeded Atlanta then faced off against NOVA B. In spite of the missing eagles, the Harlequins looked well trained and clearly well fed. NOVA B put up some offensive charges and launching defense, but Atlanta consistently won the ball.

NOVA A faced off against the college side of Radcliffe who hit hard and took advantage of transition ball. The NOVA back triangle of Sandy, Lauren and Rookie saved more than a couple of Radcliffe tries. Billy put on a tackling clinic while Beth showed the college crowd various methods of scoring points with two tries and three conversions. Lauren also scored in the final of 21-5.

NOVA B faced a more physical club in Akron. Trading punches for tries, DQ touched one down and nailed a couple of conversions. 5-0 rose above the ruck sucker punching to score a hat trick. NOVA won 24-0.

In a rematch from last year's Nash Bash semifinal, NOVA hoped to gain redemption against Atlanta. Launching and general team play overwhelmed the Harlequin's. Jailbait and Flagpole commanded the team through the loose balls and territory kicks. Beth Black scored 1 try, 2 conversions and 1 kick for points. Her offensive performance begged the question, where was the drop kick for points? Lauren also scored a try.

The championship match pitted Chicago's first side against the bruised and over partied pirates. The Chicago club put down a try which was countered by Black's successful kick for points. Possessions went back and forth with no change on the scoreboard until Lauren sped by the defense for a try, and Beth Black augmented the lead with a conversion.

A delay in game times resulted in both NOVA teams playing at this point. Cutting the championship ceremony short, Lindy grabbed the trophy/ leather footware gift and scurried down to sub into the lst game (NOVA B vs. Cincy-Dayton). With the NOVA numbers short, creative roster was employed giving Katie (FINS) a start at strong side wing. The Chicago club loaned a couple of player to round out the rookie/ chicago back line. Cincy-Dayton had speed, rucking and rather long finger nails and put down try after try. The NOVA scored once with a quick tap from the Chicago fly half to Mel for a try. The pirates took some quick pictures with their new hardware and sped to the airport.

Along the way, some rookies earned nicknames. Katie (FINS) brought her pet inflatable shark. Jackie (Madonna) was the material girl who lost her debit card. Diana (Text) received text messages that left everyone else's cell phone messages look drab by comparison. They made the cable stations in the rooms look lackluster too.

Tournament and Pirate Superlatives:
Player of the tournament: Beth Black (scored 33 points) with an honorable mention to 5-0 for running circles around, slashing through defensive lines and plundering loose balls
The Chicken of Power: Megan Billingsley
The Defensive Hammer: the back triangle crew (Sandy Stowe, Lauren Hoeck, and Rookie)
Rookie of the tournament: all of the rookies earned this award.
Here are some particular highlights:

• Anya: tackling like a demon
• Katie: rucking well
• Jackie: good placement and running on to the ball
• Diana: denying the other team by kicking or by tackling multiple attackers
• Hillary: taking control against a top four team (ATL)

Best Dressed Pirate: Beth and Billy
Most traveled pirate: Jailbait (good luck recovering the lost luggage)
Most Pirate Spirit: Mo
Pirate who imbibed the most spirits: probably a tie between Evil and Anya
Best Pirate Captain: Molly, who made it all possible

 

NoVA Hotline: 703.715.6888