The Twin City Derby Girls ended their home season in front of more than 500 fans at the MAC Gym inside Campus Recreation Center East. The doubleheader featured the premiere of the Vice Quads ― TCDG’s rookie team ― and an intense Championship rematch between the Damagin’ Dames and the Boneyard Bombshells.
Vice Quads (TCDG) 119 ― Illinois Valley Vixens (Ottawa/Lasalle-Peru, IL) 136
The first bout featured the debut of the Vice Quads, TCDG’s rookie team, as they played their first home bout against the Illinois Valley Vixens of Ottawa-Lasalle/Peru, IL.
In front of a standing-room-only crowd, the pink-clad Vice Quads took to the track against the Vixens in orange. The first ten jams saw the lead change three times as the Quads and the Vixens traded points. The Vice Quads struggled to capitalize on their lead jammer opportunities and the Vixen defense kept the home team scoreless for streaks of six and then eight jams, ending the half with a 67–37 lead over the Quads.
The Quads rallied in the second half on the strength of their defense, who held IVV to just 69 points in the second half. With a little under 12 minutes left in the game, the Vixens lead the Quads 128–97.
The next four jams saw the Vice Quads rendering the Vixens scoreless, while jammers Gaya Jenda, Punchwrap Supreme, and Chesty Pains scored 20 points to whittle the Vixens lead to 117–128 with 4:13 left in the bout.
The Vice Quads’ Payne Addams took the line and was able to score a couple points for her team before being sent to the penalty box. On the strength of a late-game power jam situation, the Vixens were victorious over the Quads 119–136.
TCDG’s Punchwrap Supreme and IVV’s Betty Blackout were named bout MVP’s, an honor that is voted on by skaters of the opposing team.
Intra-league Championship: Boneyard Bombshells 114 ― Damagin’ Dames 143
The headlining bout of the evening featured two TCDG teams: The Boneyard Bombshells and the Damagin’ Dames. The teams met on May 21, with the Bombshells besting the Dames 176–130 in the first intra-league bout of the season. Both teams then went on to beat the third TCDG “home” team ― The ‘Paign ― to secure a spot in the Championship Bout.
The Dames, in purple, were first to strike with four quick points by star jammer Oh No Bobo. The Bombshells, in their trademark red, rallied over the next two jams with points from Cheriff O’Swattinjam and a 10-point jam by Houchebag to secure their only lead of the game 17–8.
The next five jams saw the Dames outscoring the Bombshells 30–4, including a 14 point jam by Oh No Bobo. Strong defensive play by Kimbuktu, Candy Molish’r, and Tommy Knocker kept the ladies in red from scoring for three consecutive jams.
After a red time-out, Bombshells jammer Anthrobrawlogist was able to capitalize on a major penalty by Oh No Bobo in a 13–5 jam that brought the score within 20 points. The Dames led the Bombshells 65–46 going into the final three jams of the half.
Oh No Bobo came out of the penalty box to gain lead jammer against Houchebag. She scored four points and quickly called off the jam. The last two jams of the evening saw Bobo and Houchebag trading 14-point jams to end the half 83–64 in favor of the Dames.
Strong defense from red blockers Fitch Base, Terror Misu, and Anthrobrawlogist kept the Dames from scoring in the first four jams, which allowed the Bombshells to start the second half with a 6–0 run.
With heavy-hitting blocker Tyra Shanks starting in the box, purple jammer Kimbuktu took the line against Houchebag. The pack chose to start slowly, but the jam whistle blew and Kimbuktu was able to get lead jammer and score nine points in the 5th jam to bring the Dames’ lead to 92–66. Purple outscored red 5–2 over the next two jams.
With purple blocker Little Nicky and purple Jammer Sweet Dee Jenerate starting in the box, Houchebag was able to capitalize on the power jam situation with an assist from Fitch Base to score 10 points and once again bring the score within 20.
The Dames went on a 10–1 run over the next five jams, thanks to big plays by purple Jammer Tommy Knocker and hard hits from Candy Molish’r.
With a little over 12 minutes left to play, the fans at the MAC gym saw a familiar rivalry: Oh No Bobo lined up against Houchebag. These jammers form the heart of the Twin City Traveler’s A-Team rotation and are often fan favorites.
Due to penalties, neither skater was able to get lead jammer and the jam lasted the full two minutes. Bombshells Captain Heidi Slice effectively held back Bobo for a while, but ultimately the jam ended with each jammer scoring 11 points to bring the score to 89–119 in favor of the Dames.
The next two jams were fairly close, with the Dames outscoring the Bombshells 6–8.
Cherrif O’Swattinjam faced off against Jamie Lee Cutthroat. Cherrif got lead after a few laps and was able to get 13 points. Cutthroat came out of the box in the next jam to score 16 points and secure purple’s place as League Champions with a final score of 114–143.
MVPs for the Championship were Bombshells’ Anthrobrawlogist and Dames Kimbuktu, both of whom served double duty as jammers and blockers.
Although TCDG is finished bouting at home, the season is far from over. The Twin City Travelers, TCDG’s all-star team, head to Evansville, Indiana to take on the Rollergirls of Southern Indiana (ROSI) this Saturday and are scheduled to play the Chicago Outfit‘s B-team, the Shade Brigade, on September 10. The Vice Quads will have another bouting opportunity as they travel to Quincy, IL to take on the Dark River Derby Coalition.
Poster design by Maxine Silverhammer
All photos by Laura Fitch
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Glossary
Some definitions adapted from WFTDA:
Blocker: Blockers are the positional players that form the pack. The Pivot Blocker is one of the four Blockers per team allowed in each jam. Blockers play defense against the opposing jammer and assist their jammer on offence when appropriate.
Jam: Jams are two (2) minute races between teams to score points. Jams can be called off by the lead jammer
Jammer: Jammers are the point scorers for their teams. Each team is permitted one Jammer per jam. The Jammers are identified by stars on their helmet cover.
Lead Jammer: Lead Jammer is a strategic position established on the Jammers’ initial pass through the pack during each jam. The Lead Jammer is the first Jammer to pass the foremost in-play Blocker legally and in bounds, having already passed all other Blockers legally and in bounds.
Penalty Box: Often called “the box,” this is where players go who have committed a major penalty or four minor penalties. Players spend one minute in the box per trip.
Pack: The pack is defined by the largest group of Blockers, skating in proximity, containing members from both teams. The Jammers are independent of this definition.
Jammer Line: Jammers line up on the jammer line, which is behind the pivot line (where the blockers line up at the start of the jam).
Penalty: The punishment meted out for misconduct.
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Disclaimer: This article was written by Cari Rich, PR/Community Outreach Chair for Twin City Derby Girls. She also skates with The ‘Paign and the Twin City Travelers B team, but did not participate in Saturday’s match.
Smile Politely is currently looking for a regular writer for TCDG bouts who is not connected with the team. Contact Tracy Nectoux if you’re interested.