Batter C power past KRG in tight contest

Last weekend, Kent Roller Girls welcomed London Rollergirls ‘Batter C Power’ to Herne Bay High School for a bout which had stalked skaters’ dreams and tantalised the derby taste-buds across the latter half of the summer.

Undoubtedly the toughest opponents Kent have faced in their home arena; the clash very much lived up to its epic billing.

A feast of colour greeted spectators in the bleachers, LRG’s pink bout-fits shimmering against the shiny gold of the home team.

The skate-outs showcased the team’s distinct styles; Batter C Power cloaked in fur coats, tinted glasses and dazzling us all with gangster-style grooving. KRG’s own introduction was perhaps more classic by contrast, but the roar of support that greeted each name and the fluttering flag sent waves of awe through the room.

London started at a blistering pace with Drac weaving between KRG blockers to score; Boot’em Khamun in swift pursuit. Diagnosis Maul’er responded for Kent, delivering a powerful hit on Aero Die Panic before side-sweeping her way to two points. However, Lady McDeath continued LRG’s lightning start with the bout’s first power-jam, shrugging off a brutal hit from Demi Lition to open up a 25-2 lead for the away team.

A KRG fight-back followed; an instinctive dart to the outside from Fleetfoot Mac, resisting the attentions of Black and Decker to score a grand-slam. After Ann I Hilate used her toe-stops to canter past an incredibly organised London wall, Fleetfoot Mac again burst through to add points. With Acid Trip and the Duchess of Crutches enduring a thrilling battle for inside pack position, a series of power-jam opportunities gave KRG a chance to claw their way level. Great transitioning from Ann I Hilate, jumping from Diagnosis Maul’er and incisive footwork from Fleetfoot Mac completed the impressive comeback. Kent led 49-38.

The home side preserved their advantage with a series of tactical jams, ensuring they either earned lead jammer status or stuck close if their opponents escaped the pack first. Despite a rattling hit from Mayjour Collision, the exciting Drac carefully picked her way between the walls to score for London and Electric ‘Avin You also capitalised on the brief momentum. The first period ended with the dynamic Fleetfoot Mac maintaining a nail-biting 61-53 advantage for Kent.

As the bout resumed, Drac and Aero Die Panic continued their indomitable jamming. Then, as penalties crept into KRG’s play, the Duchess of Crutches made them pay on a power-jam. With jammer switcheroos a regular occurrence as the second period progressed, LRG soon retook the lead. Kent were far from finished however, Fleetfoot Mac with an apex jump to bring them within two points. The pendulum swung in both directions, the bout hinging on the precise execution of each jam.

After wonderful offence from Black and Decker allowed Drac to score yet another grand-slam, Batter C power threatened to pull away for the final time and had opened up a 99-84 lead. KRG’s spirit never waned in adversity; Mayjour Collision battling her way to a vast amount of points on a power-jam and Ann I Hilate eluding powerful blockers. In the end, the sheer organisation of the London pack and the clinical forward water-falling was too much to overcome. With a graceful tap of hands to hips, Drac added the final points of a keenly fought 139-118 victory for LRG.

Reflecting on the contest, Kent Coach Ben Tenderizer was bursting with pride at his team’s efforts and looking at ways to improve: “I couldn’t have asked for any more. London’s tactics were very well rehearsed and it’s clear they are a team very much focused on reaching an elite plateau. I think every game, especially when against such a tough opponent, highlights something we need to work on.”

These sentiments were echoed by Mayjour Collision, who relished the opportunity to take on a team from Europe’s top league: “They were really tough to play and so tight in their tactics. They are clearly in-sync as a team and their jammers are really fast! I think we’re good at being able to soak up knowledge and experience from this type of bout, like a derby-sponge. In many ways, we prefer playing strong opponents because you learn the most and I personally love the challenge.”