Another night of overlapping schedules meant decisions on where to go. Fortunately this time, the overlap was in two different markets so derby fans could be more evenly divided among the two leagues. We had a double header in Tucson while AZRD had their final regulation bout of the season.
In front of a slightly smaller crowd last night, mainly because of the timing with the Pima County Fair, the Tucson Roller Derby fans at Bladeworld got to see two very amazing bouts last night.
First, the Furious Truckstop Waitresses sent out a jammer rotation of Sloppy Flo, Peaches Rodriguez and Ginger Railer. The high number of Iron Curtain penalties especially by their from their jammers including Kamanda, Kassi Nova and Bella Ruskia kept this margin very high in favor of the FTW. The FTW was able to beat the Reds by a margin of 72 (Michi-chan predicted 60) with a final score of 130-58. At the end of the bout, TRD and the FTW said goodbye to Eeka as this was her last bout. She was given one jam right near the end of the game. We wish her well.
Then came the Copper Queens taking on VICE Squad in the second half of the double header. With a fairly sized jammer rotation lead by Cheap Ore and Dirty Teri, the Queens gave VICE and the mostly Vice Squad fan base a run for their money. VICE squad brings Sami Automatic and Anita Donut among others to the jammer line with what was a close game with multiple lead changes. At the half, the Queens lead by only 1. Good jams by the Queens and penalties by VICE plagued the girl-cops in the second half. While they were able to answer points, they were not able to answer them all at the Queens win by 20 (Michi-chan predicted less than 10) with a final score of 77-57.
The FTW remain in first place while the Copper Queens with 2 wins this season move into second place. The VICE Squad moves into third place and Iron Curtain is still dwelling in the cellar.
Coming up for Tucson in May we will see a Sunday afternoon bout for the Derby Brats. This is their first bout of the 2008 season. This will be on May 4 at a time to be determined. Then on May 17, the FTW takes a shot against the VICE Squad while the Iron Curtain tries to get their first win of the season against the Copper Queens. On May 31, we are back to Tucson for travel team action as the Saddletramps take on the Bay Area Derby Girls. There will also be a silent auction during this bout.
Meanwhile back up in Phoenix, according to fan reports, the Bad News Beaters finish off AZRD's regulation season undefeated at 3-0 by beating the Brawlarinas, 147-74 (unconfirmed). (Michi-chan predicted Beaters by 40) This ends the season with the Beaters on top followed by the Surly Gurlies, the Bruisers and then the Brawlarinas.
Due to circumstances surrounding the split of the Bruisers earlier this year and the formation of the new Bruisers team using mainly substitutes from other teams, the AZDR has received unconfirmed information from those inside AZRD that the semi-final may not be between the second place (Surly Gurlies) and the third place (Bruisers) team. We are awaiting official word from AZRD on the make-up of this year's semi finals, which will be held on May 24. Between now and then, AZRD will have a demo bout next Saturday, April 25 at Buddy Stubbs Arizona Harley Davidson in Phoenix at 1PM and then they will have their travel bout as the Tent City Terrors take on Rocky Mountain Roller Girls on May 10. This bout will take place here in Phoenix at Casey at the Bat.
Michi-chan's Upcoming Derby Adventures
4/26 - with AZRD at Buddy Stubbs H-D for demo bout.
5/4 - in Tucson with the Derby Brats.
5/10 - with AZDD for a must see doubleheader.
5/17 - possibly in Tucson for the double header (if not, at the Castle for the AZDD open skate)
5/24 - at AZRD for their semi-finals
5/31 - in Tucson for the Saddletramps vs. Bay Area Derby Girls
THE ARIZONA DERBY REPORT
Michelle A. Eyre/Michi-chan
michichan.com
(Disclosure: Michi-chan is the VP of the upcoming Phoenix area OSDA league)
