CRDL's 2014 Home Season Round Three Highlights
It’s no secret that Canberra Roller Derby League's two original teams (est. 2009), the Black 'n' Blue Belles and the Surly Griffins, have a tumultuous history. Off track the skaters are friendly--on track, this rivalry is defined by big hits and big guns! In the past three seasons, the Griffins have won only one game, earning the Wooden Spoon in 2012 and 2013. The Belles, conversely, had lost only one game in three seasons, placing second in 2011 and enjoying their status as league champions in 2012 and 2013.
The 2014 season has been a complete reversal. The Griffins have risen to unprecedented heights, winning games against the Belters and Black Hearts, while the Belles, although fighting hard and valiantly, have not picked up a win this season. This last game in the home season was a match-up between the long-time foes, and we all knew everyone was guaranteed a good fight; would the Belles by able to turn their luck around after this season's losses? Were the Griffs due a stumble before their grand final chance at securing the Derby Darby cup?
The game started tentatively. Point-scoring powerhouses ShortStop (Belles) and Canuckles (also known as Nux--Griffs) wore the stars for the first jam; Nux scored lead jammer status, but prudently decided to call the jam off once she was overtaken by Shorty,and the am ended nil-all. The first point on the board was for the Belles, as Fanta earned a point and called it 1-0 before her Griffin opponent could score. Both teams were fielding a mixture of newer and veteran jammers, and relying on smart pack play and good defence. Several penalties by Belles jammers saw the Griffins exploiting power jams, and at half-time the score stood 93-52 to the Griffs.
The second half was tough and fast. Blockers for the Griffins Madamage, AnneThrax, and Louiville Slugga, and for the Belles, Prairie Scorn, Jam Pants, and Kitten Kaboodle, put forth strong defence. Power jams against the Belles proved fatal to the score line, and despite the best efforts of Mae Q Sqwheel, Rubi Doom, and Fanta, Griffin packs were more frequently able to establish lead for their jammers Rainbow Spite, Harlot, and Nux, giving them control over the course of the second half. The game ended with 104 points to the Belles, and 189 for the Griffins.
Not do be out-done, the second game of the evening was just as intense. Prior to this game, the Brindabelters and the Red Bellied Black Hearts had played a similar season: each losing against the Surly Griffins, and winning against the Black 'n' Blue Belles. The match between these two teams was thus a fraught one, as it would decide who got to compete for the coveted Derby Darby Cup in October's grand final!
From the very first whistle the game was a fantastic display of intense, aggressive roller derby. The Belters scored first, with Freudian Slit lapping Fauna Cat for a grand slam (a 5-point pass). Gameplay was tight and fast, with jammers Berry Bad, Shaggle Frock, Freud, and Pink Mist (Belters) going toe to toe with Bubble O’Kill, Flyin’ Foxy, LegoLass, Fauna, and Bambi von Smash’er (Hearts). Jammer strategy was marked by "nickel-and-dimeing" it (the lead jammer settling for as little as one point before calling the jam off and preventing her opponent from scoring at all). Working with Roxie die Hart, Kat A Wall, and Big Dakuna, Black Heart Bohemeth Rhapsody was a terror in the pack, marking Belter jammers and not letting them out of her sight. Meanwhile the formidable Belters trio of Ova Bearing, Stone Jett, and Miss D Meaner worked well together to slow down the opposition. The score was very close, with multiple lead changes. After a power jam in their favour, at half-time the Black Hearts led narrowly by 9 points with the score 62-53.
Increased defence from the Black Hearts, and penalties by Belters jammers, saw the Black Heart lead extend once the game resumed. Sugar Plum Crazy stepped up for the Belters to jam in the second half (an impressive feat as she had played in the previous game to help bolster the Griffins numbers!). She unfortunately had a trip to the bin, but upon returning to the track she initiated a fantastic star pass to pivot Shaggle Frock which drove the crowd wild. The Belters' hard hits were no match for the controlled packs of the Black Hearts however, and the full time score was 190 to the Red Bellied Black Hearts and 98 to the Brindabelters.
The outcome of these games means that the grand final this year will be the inverse of last season's! The Belters and Belles will meet once more, but this time for third place, while for the first time since 2010, the Surly Griffins will fight to place as champion against the Red Bellied Black Hearts!
CRDL GRAND FINAL: THE HUNGER JAMS - BLOCKINGJAY
Will the Griffins be able to make the Red Bellied Black Hearts walk the plank to 2nd? Or will the Hearts put an end to their winning streak? Will the Belters seize third place or acquire the pesky Wooden Spoon again? What about the Belles? Will they have a win this season?
Answers to all your questions and more will be available at the October 25 Grand Final, Blockingjay!
Photos courtesy of D-eye Photography:
Check them all out here: http://rollerderby.deyephotography.com/bouts/
