The perpetual flat-track frenzies for Arch Rival Roller Derby (ARCH) and GateKeepers Roller Derby (GKRD) continue this Saturday night at Midwest Sport Hockey in Queeny Park (570 Weidman Rd., Ballwin, MO).
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
The fourth event of the six-game, regular season cycle finds the ARCH defending champions, the Smashinistas (2-0), in a tangle with the Stunt Devils (1-1) at the 6:30 p.m. opener while the GKRD Turf Wars’ kingpins, the Central West Friends (2-0), tussle with the Raiders of Forest Park (0-2) in the nightcap.
The Smashies kept their current record unblemished, and pushed their overall win streak to seven games, with their 242-191 victory over the M-80s earlier this month.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
In the triumph, jammers Vicious VanGoGo and Bolt Action scored 113 and 82 points, respectively, while Flash provided prime rotations.
Laying down the blocking, both offensively and defensively, were Cloak N’ Drag-Her, Smarty McFly, Rock Slobster, Spock N’ Roll, Professor Rumbledore, Birdsong, Hero-Shima, Holliver Fist, Poison Ivy, Girl Fawkes and Outlaw Josie Wheels. Newly-drafted skaters The Jukes on You and RudeOff will be making their Queeny Park debuts this Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Stunts Devils look for their second consecutive victory after their dominant win over the M-80s in January.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
Jammers Bricktator, Psychokid D’ Freakout, Ultraviolet and Aggie Wartooth will be primed for rotations this weekend while being assisted by blockers Shear-Ra Powers, Fletch-A-Sketch, Lethal Dose, Joan of Spark, Bruise Almighty and Pegasass. Newcomers BiFurious and Splatter will be making their first-ever ARCH local appearances this weekend.
When the pair of squads met in December at ARCH’s season opener, the Smashies survived the battle and claimed a nine-point triumph over the Stunts, 177-168.
All signs point to a probable single-digit outcome this Saturday.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
Meanwhile in the men’s donnybrook, the undefeated Central West Friends can clinch a 2018 Turf Wars’ trophy berth with a win. This comes off their 182-162 topper over the Creve Coroners earlier this month.
In the topsy-turvy contest, jammer Bower Ranger collected 73 points while Bruno Scars and Last Rites netted numerous multi-lap passes.
Pacing CWF’s blocking were Percy Controll, SoGo, Cpt. Kramerica, Fruit Wall-Up, Quadratic Evasion, The Great Stromboli, Yoshi, and Thrillhouse.
Conversely, the Raiders of Forest Park seek their first “W” of the season. Jammers A. Black, D. Mouthful, Mud and Arty Panimal will be fronted by blockers Spin Diesel, Atom Bomb, Nate Bower, Woolsy Mammoth, Dr. Dredd, Slammin’ T. Killa, Cunningham and Carly Slay Jepsen.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
For the Raiders, Saturday is considered a “must-win” for the 2015 Turf Wars champs if they wish to stay within trophy contention. The incentive is there, so execution must be a ultimate levels in order to claim.
Also Saturday, a junior roller derby exhibition takes place as St. Louis Junior Derby’s Untamed Youth and Minor Threat Roller Derby participate in a 10-minute exhibition for bragging rights. Historically, this meeting marks the first time the pair of under-18s has met in play.
Admission for Saturday’s doubleheader at the door are $12 while children 10 and under get in free. Adult tickets purchased in advance online at Brown Paper Tickets are $10 while groups of six and more can watch the action for $8. VISIT THIS LINK for online discounts.
For more information on ARCH, visit their official website.
For more information on GKRD, visit their official website.
Arch City Sports will be in attendance at Saturday’s double header and will have a recap posted on Sunday.
By trade, he is a six-time, regional Emmy Award-winning news videographer/editor for KTVI/KPLR-TV. By hobby, he is a writer for Arch City Media, dating back to February 2014. Emphasis is on featuring and promoting local women's sports, but will cover anything that is not reported by traditional media outlets. Also a contributor to local concert reviews.
