The back-half of the regular season begins this Saturday for St. Louis-based Arch Rival Roller Derby (ARCH) and the pair of flat-track match-ups brings plenty of intrigue.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
The twin-bill at Queeny Park’s Midwest Sport Hockey (570 Weidman Road, Ballwin, MO) begins at 6:30 pm as Rebel Skate Alliance tussles with the M-80s while the Smashinistas and the Stunts Devils continue their respective rivalry in the nightcap.
Tickets for the event are $15 at the door while children 10 and under are free. Save $3 per ticket by ordering online in advance while groups of six and more can save $6 per ticket by VISITING THIS LINK.
After a four-season absence, Rebel Skate Alliance returned to the fold last December and currently sits atop the ARCH standings as the lone undefeated team (3-0) at season’s midpoint. They toppled the Smashinistas (217-170) in late-January to keep their record unblemished.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
Veterans Darth Tator, Admiral Aggbar and Boba Flash propel the jamming while blockers Endorable!, Titanium Falcon, SITH HAPPENS, Lethal Dose, Wookie Monster, Zombie Plagueis, Spock N’ Roll, Jabba the Butt, Han Rolo, Storm Bruiser and Obi-Wan Kanosebleed sets up the walls.
Earlier this month, the League conducted a mid-season draft of newly eligible skaters and all four local teams made additions to their respective charters. RSA added jammer Yoda Blow, who returns to the ARCH local fold, as well as newcomer Indiana Bones.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
Meanwhile, the M-80s (0-3) currently sit at the opposite end of the standings in fourth place but they did open eyes at their last ARCH game in late-January. With three high-caliber starters missing from their line-up, the troopers closely checked the defending League champion Stunt Devils and scored beyond the bi-centennial mark in the 250-215 setback.
Jammer L’Oakey Doki scored 156 points in the aforementioned contest while Owl Wing It and Camp Kwitcherbitchin had personal bests recorded. Blockers Merit Badger, Trampfire, Slipknot, Curl Scout, Slam Shakusky, S’More Cowbell and Wood Bang are set for this weekend and the return of starting blockers Scouts Horror and Crumbledore brings the line-up back to complete strength.
Making their M-80s’ debut Saturday via the supplemental draft is blocker Dad Bod, who last skated with ARCH as a member of the All-Stars in 2017.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
Saturday’s finale features the teams that competed for 2018’s Championship and both are looking to gain a second-half seasonal push.
The Smashinistas (2-1) suffered their first setback of the season with the aforementioned January loss to Rebel Skate Alliance. Penalties in that contest seemed to be the bugaboo for the talented squad and a turnaround is the goal for the evening in order to maintain second place positioning in the ARCH standings.
Jammers Frowntown, Skeevie Nicks and Smashing Violet are set for balanced rotations while blocking will be paced by Cloak N’ Drag-Her, Smashbird, Nigel Smashberry, chili beans, WyldeSyde, Gnarley Carbsmashian, Regrets, Smash Me Ousside, The Monster Smash, Smash Money and Smashsquatch.
New to the Smashies this Saturday will be the returning multi-positional CQ, who last skated with ARCH All-Stars in 2017 as well as newcomer Oliver Smash.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
The defending champion Stunts Devils regained former glory in late-January with a victory over the M-80s that pushed their record to 1-2. When looking at the yearly ledger, the team scored 156 points more in late-January (250) compared to the December opener (94). In short, the Stunts are a much, much better squad and plan to even their record by the final whistle and claim a second-place tie in the standings.
Jammers Scarrie Fisher, Zoe Hell, Slamgelina Jolie and Toni Smaxton each scored high totals in their last game and plan to keep that momentum in tune. Blockers Black Dynamite, Kill-ya Knightly, Rhonda Lousey, Ginger Assassin, Sir Ian McKillin’, Reese Wither(n’ Die) Spoon, Fast ‘n’ Lucy Liu, Nunchucks Norris and Glenn Close But No Cigar will set up the foundation.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
Additions the purple mix via the supplemental draft are veteran jammer/blocker Force Choke, who has spent numerous seasons with ARCH on both the local and travel team level, blocker Kat, who had tenure with both Midstate Mayhem Roller Derby and Capital City Hooligans, and newcomer Mya Pinion.
For more information on ARCH, go their official website.
Arch City Media will be in attendance this Saturday and will have a full report 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.
