Number six and number seven in the WFTDA rankings met July 12th at the Cicero Stadium as Windy City (7) hosted the Saddletramps of Tucson (6). The rankings predicted a tight match up, but the motivation of the Windy City Rollers told the story for the hungry crowd. Coming off back-to-back losses at the East Coast Extravaganza, the all-stars from Chicago were determined to show their hometown crowd that their home team would remain a top contender in roller derby world.
Captain Belle Diablo motivated her ranks to not only dominant the play, but also run up the score mercilessly. Blocking combinations, like the steely Megan Formore and Malice with Chains, put the breaks on the Tucson jammers in the rear of the pack. Belle Diablo and Blossom Bruisin’ reinforced their efforts at the front of the back. Crowd favorite Varla Vendetta helmed several jams as pivot and maneuvered expertly to paralyze nearly every Tucson jammer who made it to the front. The pack action was so fast and tight it was easy to forget the vigorous jammers Athena De Crime, Eva Dead and Shocka Conduit (an impressive newcomer to the line-up, formerly of the Chi-Town Sirens)
Memorable highlights include the three-peat jamming performance of Beth Amphetamine. She was sent to the box on accumulated minors, re-entered the rink just to be sent back to the box on an illegal procedure, all to claim lead in the next jam and rack up impressive points. The Windy City blockers were well prepared for these power jam situations with reservoirs of speed, even when they too had players in the box. The mounting point spread finally capped at 138-19.
The Saddletramps, though depleted by the humidity and struggling with the speed of Cicero’s vinyl surface, still fought hard for the eager crowd. Sloppy Flo kept her head high throughout, searching for holes in the Windy City defense, but she was never able to exhibit the speed that made her a legend. Deadlock Doe Holiday had many well-timed blocks that sank jammers to the far corners of the rink. Sami Automatic had a cocky stride and the daring to never give up for the sake of the crowd. Defensively the Saddletramps seemed out of synch. Surely they’ll head west with new tactics to apply to their next bout (they play the Gotham Girls next month)
A personal highlight of the weekend was seeing Helen Wheels on the Tucson line-up. I was lucky to be in the crowd for the one of the first inter-league matchups in the mid-west. In January of 2006 the Tent City Terrors of Phoenix traveled to Madison to play the Dairyland Dolls. Both brawny teams put on a strategy clinic, and there Helen Wheels (formerly Sheriff Shutyerpaio) tore up the rink with whip smart hustle. In jam after jam she demonstrated the quick four, in and out of the pack in a blink. She’s been a favorite of mine ever since.
The Cicero crowd was also treated to a clear adherence to the new WFTDA rule set, especially those rules addressing player rotation in the penalty box.
There is debate about Windy City’s home rink advantage, but the team will next take on the Minnesota Rollergirls (13) who play on the polished concrete at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium. They are certainly adapt at maneuvering on a slick surface. On August 16th they may answer the Windy City defense with steady and surefooted skating.
I love checkin’ facts on the derby news network (check it out for lots of great derby stuff).
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