What do you do for your fifth birthday? Well if you’re The London Rockin’ Rollers you host a mixed scrimmage, you play Stockholm Roller Derby and then you throw one heck of a party, but that’s just how we roll, or should I say brawl.
The big day started with the mixed scrimmage – ladies and gents from different leagues battled it out, red vs. black. And then the bleachers started to fill up with a capacity crowd, not deterred by either the rain or transport hiccups, all here to watch the Swedish Meatbrawl.
As STRD skated out a few things became clear: a) they meant business, b) they started as they meant to go on, and c) they’re tall, aren’t they?
A clean pass through the pack by Stockholm jammer #22 Mad Maloony, a member of Team Sweden alongside the Rockin’ Rollers’ very own Kit Kat Power, gave the visitors a four point lead from the off.
The first few jams were close with the Rockin’ Rollers and STRD each getting a few points in turn. A power jam from Stockholm began to turn the tide and a second power jam saw their lead over the Rockin’ Rollers head to 30 points.
More points were traded, with some great jammer swarming from the Swedes and some killer hits from Rockin’ Rollers’ Murder Urs. At the half-time whistle the score was 53 – 76 to Stockholm.
The Rockin’ Rollers made a powerful start to the second half with some great jamming from Jack Attack, Jessica Rammit, and, in particular, Lady Lazarus who kept pushing through the Stockholm pack despite a distinct height disadvantage.
Our blockers too were working hard with some offensive hits and great defensive swarming but STRD kept up the pressure and after a superb star pass and subsequent power jam from #46 Swede Hurt, the points and the power jams just kept coming for Stockholm.
Despite some help from a Rockin’ Rollers fan with a megaphone, the home team just couldn’t pull the lead back and after a lot of hard work on both sides the final score was 100 London Rockin’ Rollers – 172 Stockholm Roller Derby: but that’s not where it ends!
Always keen to win the after party the Rockin’ Rollers had no intention of making it to five years without a celebration and a half.
After both teams and a lot of supporters piled into a pub in nearby Stratford the fun began, with awards handed out to league members and supporters who have made the first five years of the Rockin’ Rollers such a success.
Thanks to everyone who’s contributed over the last five years, and to the STRD and our fans for making Saturday a birthday to remember. For those of you who missed out on tickets this time, it may be the end of the season for our A Team but don’t forget we have one more bout to go this year – the mighty Intraleague tourney on 15 December!
Photos © Craig Richmond