Kent Roller Girls send Leeds Roller Dolls ‘Whip-Its’ into a spin
Ahead of their September home clash with the London Rollergirls ‘Batter C Power’, Kent Roller Girls trekked north to battle the Leeds Roller Dolls ‘Whip-Its’.
On a day that heralded autumn’s arrival, surrounded by a temperate chill, leaves rustling in a harsh breeze and the lively impostor of a blinding sun, the Futsal Arena hosted the landmark occasion.
An imposing backdrop of monumental power-plants, historical industry and plumes of billowing smoke provided the setting for the fabric of interwoven derby stories.
Perhaps the most poignant of tales, an emotional return to their first derby home for former Roller Dolls Fleetfoot Mac and KRG Captain Demi-Lition. Indeed, for the latter and for the entire league, this moment was another important milestone in their journey.
With the warehouse arena ready, cheers echoed hauntingly through the vast building and the blue flat-track appeared as the calmest of seas.
A few words with KRG Coach Ben-Tenderizer were enough to understand the calibre of their Yorkshire opponents: “They’re a tight team and they train with the Rebel Roses, who are obviously fantastic. I think fatigue could play a big part and we need to come out fighting or we’ll definitely feel the wrath of the Whip-Its.”
The Whip-Its started in fantastic fashion. Swift jamming from Tripping the Velvet and stoic blocking from the LRD pack on Ann I Hilate were enough to open up an early 4-0 lead. After the KRG pack prevented an initial pass, Boot’em Khamun responded with dynamic skating to put points up on the board. Kent led 9-4. A series of lead changes followed however as the tempo of the jams fluctuated.
Stunning athleticism from Daisy Dashing Hell for the Whip-Its was combatted by a devilish dart to the inside from Diagnosis Maul’er, in turn assisted by Mayjour Collision’s sharp offensive blocking. Fleetfoot Mac then showed tremendous persistence to nullify LRD’s lightning jammers and KRG took advantage of their first power-jam to edge ahead by a score of 32-20.
As the first period progressed, imaginative offence moved to the fore and skaters from both sides became ever more inventive. Despite an exceptional scoring burst from Tripping the Velvet, it was Kent’s jammers who added to their lead. Fleetfoot Mac exhibiting an array of dancing toe-stop moves and crab-like sideways skating to notch up a grand-slam, whilst April O’Steel, Ann I Hilate and Diagnosis Maul’er were all clinical with their chances. Meanwhile, Jennapocalypse and Rosa Lethal worked hard to frustrate Ginger Rogers. Despite incredible power-jam defence from Jupiter that epitomised the spirited LRD attitude, Kent held a 95-37 advantage at the break.
The second period featured a similar intensity, although KRG’s tactics became far more focused on keeping tight walls instead of explosive points-scoring. After Mayjour Collision showed excellent determination on a power-jam opportunity and Ann I Hilate resisted several thunderous hits, Kent continued to add to their total. The Whip-Its were then gifted a power-jam of their own, Nipple Hassle brushing aside hits to score with the epic assistance of Larni from within the pack. Defence from both teams began to dominate towards the conclusion of the bout, a wonderful last ditch block from Whizz Skid and devastating recycling from the tandem of Ann I Hilate and Fleetfoot Mac. Larni then countered with destructive play for the Whip-Its before trying her hand at jamming; blasting her way efficiently through the KRG walls to bring the score to 95-187.
The bout ended as it should, a booming hit from Demi Lition, effective pivot play from Diagnosis Maul’er and with LRD adding the final points. The room erupted with pride at the efforts of their northern heroines. Despite a scintillating effort from the hosts, Kent Roller Girls had run out victorious by a score of 191-100.
- Images used with permission. Credit: Jason Ruffell
