Local championships will be awarded for the Arch Rival Roller Girls and GateKeepers Roller Derby this Saturday night in a twin bill derby donnybrook that takes place at Midwest Sport Hockey (570 Weidman Road, Ballwin, MO) at 6:30 pm.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
In the women’s main event, the M-80s (3-1) clash with the defending league champions, the Stunt Devils (2-2), for the Arch Rival trophy while in the men’s Turf Wars title tilt, the Raiders of Forest Park (3-1) clash with the Central West Friends (3-1).
The M-80s claimed the Arch Rival regular season edge by collecting a pair of wins over the Smashinistas and split its pair of games with the Stunts while the defending champs notched solo victories over the M-80s and the Smashies for its two wins to gain title placement.
Seeking its first title 2012, the M-80s displayed a deep roster with blockers converting into jammers and vice-versa. D’Manda Flapjack paced the scoring by netted triple digits in three of four games, but perhaps by design, and to not show all their cards, she played minimal rotations with the star in March’s win over the Stunts.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
The firecrackers went nine jammers deep that game. Bloody Gaga, Warpath O’ Jen and Paul Funyun stayed in traditional roles while blockers by trade Let’s Get Beard, Lone Pine, Snotface, Molotov and Lumberjam added key rotations.
Alongside the steady work of Oak C’Mon?!?, Arcane Sugar, Bad Adze, Trigger Happy Jackie, Quicksandz and Jenforcer, the M-80s topped the Stunts and sent a message that they want to claim their fourth league title Saturday night. They could also potentially get a boost with the scheduled return of All-Star blocker the Ginger Assassin.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
Also looking to claim trophy number four are the Stunt Devils, who certainly possess the firepower and experience to make it happen. Jammers Bricktator and CupQuake each bring in an average of 55 points per game and with the addition of Psychokid d’Freakout, the defending champs possess a very dangerous trio.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
Blocking will be the key Saturday. All-Star Shear-Ra Powers was absent for the last battle between the pair and expect her impact to be immediate. Danisaurus Rex, Aggie Wartooth, Pegasass, Cruella Belle-ville, Momentum Mori, Sound-Proof, Midnight Smack and Stormin Norma also bring a skill set to match the opponent jam-for-jam.
The one question mark for the Stunts will be Saturday’s game-day line-up. The team had five skaters out in March, which put additional pressure on those remaining. Even with the low numbers, quick strikes are capable by the squad that seeks back-to-back titles.
Will the championship team sport red or purple? It’s too close to call.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
Meanwhile in the GateKeepers’ Turf Wars Championship that features the Raiders and the Friends, the first-time teams head to the finale with identical 3-1 records via sweeps over the Creve Coroners and a head-to-head split during the regular season.
Although they started the campaign with a loss, the Raiders of Forest Park storm into the Turf Wars battle as a very dangerous team with a 71-point win over the Friends in January to send a message.
Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell
Black and Mouthful provide a solid one-two punch in the jamming rotation while Porter adds quality rotations. Blockers Spin Diesel, Atom Bomb, Wrecking Bill, Bower, Dr. Dredd, Oxford Coma, Mueller, Arty Panimal and Slammin’ T. Killa are primed to guide the Raiders to their first Turf Wars title.
Standing in the path are the Central West Friends, who topped the Raiders last November by plus-twenty. Jammer Mailbox has posted numerous 100 point games during the campaign while Fruit Wall-Up and the Great Stromboli have added imperative points. SoGo, Perc in Boots, Cpt. Kramerica, Red Rider, Monster Jam, Bower Ranger and Blue Suede Bruise will set the tone in blocking.
Tickets are $10 at the door while children 10 and under get in free. Advance tickets are available by going to THIS LINK.
For more information on ARRG, go to archrivalrollergirls.com.
For more information on GKRD, go to stlgatekeepers.com.
Arch City Sports will have a recap of both games on Sunday.
