There was quite a commotion in Powell River on June 15 when it was taken over by derby girls in town for a doubleheader hosted by Pow!Town Rollerderby.
The entire Salish Sea Rollers League was in attendance: the Brick House Betties of Cumberland were matched against The Committed of Saltspring Island and the Rink Minx of Comox Valley were up against the hosts Pow!Town. The league’s team of referees and non-skating officials, the Coastal Call Monitors, were also on hand to ensure skaters played safely and the event ran smoothly.
The opening bout was The Committed vs. the Brick House Betties. The Betties took an early and strong lead using strategies such as backwards bridging which keeps the opposing jammer behind the pack and minimizes her scoring chances.
In the second half, The Committed made a comeback and the score got close as the clock ran out. To Head Coach DB’s relief, the Betties won 224-179.
Pow!Town put in a good effort against the Rink Minx Rollergirls in the second bout of the doubleheader but did not have the experience to win against the Minx’s hard-hitting game.
The Minx’s blockers efficiently held back Powell River’s jammers. Jamming for the Rink Minx, Whiskey Jack could not be stopped and scored a 30-point jam (a jam is a tow-minute play; jammers are the point scorers).
There were some hard hits exchanged, particularly between Lee-Thal Lyanimal skating for Pow!Town and Foxy McMuff of the Rink Minx. Although both teams had a tough time keeping out of the penalty box, the Minx wrapped up the game with a score of 367-206.
Both the Betties and the Minx won their bouts at the doubleheader, so they are eager to play against each other in Courtenay on July 6. The two teams have not faced off on the derby track in almost a year. Skaters from both teams often fill in rosters if necessary and volunteer at each other’s bouts. The collaboration of teams within the Salish Sea Rollers league is typical of how the roller derby community works together to promote their sport and events.
The Betties will need to focus on the Rink Minx’s aggressive offensive game and hold the Minx’s jammers back. Each of the Minx’s bouts this season has been a high-scoring win for the team.
Be sure to watch the hometown rivalry between the Brick House Betties and the Rink Minx Rollergirls on July 6 at the CVSC (doors at 7 p.m.). Spectators will be treated to an entertaining and athletic event with their local rollergirls. Tickets for the family-friendly event will be available soon at the following locations: Comox Community Centre, Happy’s Source for Sports, Swicked Cycle, and the Waverley Hotel. Adults $7 ($10 at the door), youth (11-18) $5, children (10 & under) free.
Representing the Rink Minx Rollergirls and the Brick House Betties respectively, Lita Riot and Handsaw Gretel have collaborated here, but compete against each other on the track. Both teams are sister teams within a house league, so look forward to some sibling rivalry when the Betties host the Minx at the CVSC (arena 1) on July 6. Visit www.brickhousebetties.com for details or join the teams on Facebook.
– Brick House Betties and Roller Minx Rollergirls