Photo by Derek P. Opdyke
The Santa Cruz Derby Girls have finally notched a win over the Tucson Roller Derby. After losing to Tucson’s Copper Queens and Iron Curtain in 2009 and getting dismantled by the Saddletramps 156 – 76 in March at the Dust Bowl Tourney the Santa Cruz Boardwalk Bombshells scored a convincing win over the Tucson all-stars at the Civic Auditorium (“SCDG Stadium”) in Santa Cruz, California.
At 6:45pm Tucson led off the scoring, going up 2 – 0 on the first jam by Bianka Trohl (who led all Tucson jammers with 42 points), but then were blanked for the next 11 jams as Santa Cruz went up 43 – 2 over the remainder of the first quarter of play.
The 8th jam was the decider. With the Saddletramp jammer in the penalty box Sheila, Princess of Power – although not lead jammer - piled up 18 points behind the inspired pivot work of Foxee Firestorm and a glacial pack that barely managed two laps in two minutes. Foxee literally capped this jam by switching panties with Sheila just before the 2 minute whistle.
Haulin’ Hotcakes (#199) made her debut for Tucson and showed herself to be a tough jammer. By the end though Hotcakes had been battered, flipped and served up to blockers Foxee Firestorm, Glitter Hither, Maiden Hades, (17, 11 and 8 defensive actions, respectively) and Mojo Vixen (who knows how to celebrate a birthday).
The Tucson Defenders were no slouches either. Helen Wheels led all blockers with 28 defensive actions, followed by Kosmi Naughty (25) and Sassy Sue (19).
Inexperience showed as Haulin’ Hotcakes was sent off in the 16th jam for not having her mouthpiece in. Candy Hooligan then reeled off 14 points. Bianka Trohl then likewise took advantage of jammer Lulu Lockjaw being in the box and reeled off a 17 point jam as the half ended, bring the score up to a more presentable looking 63 – 32.
Halftime featured a mini-bout by the Santa Cruz Derby Groms, the kids and young adult skating program that is now in its second year. Before this bout the Bumper Scars and the Sugar Skulls were tied at 1 - 1 in halftime bout play. On this day the Bumper Scars emerged victorious 50 – 32. It was inspiring to see Bumper Scar blocker G-Thang back on the track (and in the penalty box) after a horrific broken ankle injury only two months ago in her derby debut.
The Second half featured a strategy of defense and time management by the Santa Cruz squad. Blocker Brawley Parton (#9-to-5) and jammer Candy Hooligan (#69) teamed up for several impressive whips and 7 minutes in the score was 69 - 45. Over the next 5 jams (and 8 minutes) though there was no scoring at all and there the third quarter ended, with the score, as Guest Announcer Downtown Dave put it “Candy Hooligan to 45.”
Coach Payne Gretzky and Assistant Crushed N. Slayedher used their patented colored bandana waving system to great effect. In the eternally sold out hothouse Thunderdome of the Civic Auditorium where 1,200 rabid Derby fans can drown out even the most determinedly bellowed instructions, having a silent system of signals is a smart move.
The fourth quarter featured delaying jams by Lulu Lockjaw, Candy Hooligan and Sheila, Princess of Power who dueled one on one with Bianka Trohl, Haulin’ Hotcakes and Myna N. Possession and kept the Tucson jammers from reaching the pack.
Lulu put the game out of reach 92 - 45 in the 13th jam with a 14 point showcase of her moves, acceleration and new found leaping ability. Tucson held on though, scoring on two no lead jammer jams that went the full two minutes.
Bianka Trohl led all scorers with a whopping 50 points. The SCDG trio of Sheila, Princess of Power, Candy Hooligan and Lulu Lockjaw contributed 46, 30 and 26 points respectively. And Myna N. Possession stealthily put up 19 points for the Saddletramps.
2 hours after it began though the Santa Cruz Boardwalk Bombshells skated away with a 108 – 74 win over the Tucson Roller Derby Saddletramps.
The deafened and sweaty crowd poured out into the Pacific Garden Mall to celebrate, and the after party for the skaters may still be going on at this point.
Angus McMahan
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(Thank you to Head NSO Dual CannonZ for the stats assistance)
Santa Cruz Derby Girls - THE Rollergirls of Santa Cruz
