Hello Durham, Hello World – Honouring Derby and fan at Gibson’s Cup II

Background: It’s been too long since we have seen Durham. It’s been a privilege to go on the road or the GO to see the teams and coaches of DRRD during this year [and seasons past and passed], both trackside at their new ACC venue and in their practice space within Coachella at Oshawa. DRRD has let me take in the lights and see what is possible without beating me up too badly. This weekend is special. Durham, this story is for you.

Durham Region Roller Derby does a good thing on Saturday, and honours the memory of a good fan and friend of the league, and in turns honours the spirit of Derby.

The Second Annual Gibson’s Cup will be contested this weekend. This time around the clash for the Cup will be held in their newest home, the Ajax Community Centre, the ACC, so to speak.

Motor City Madames and Atom Smsshers at the first Gibson’s Cup

Does it seem that long ago when the league teams of Durham in purple or orange or blue farmers outfits were already going up against formidable foes from Kingston Derby Girls or Royal City Roller Girls? The point being the league has been squaring off against opposition as either the all-star representatives DRRDY Devils, or as the two home teams the Motor City Madames or The Atom Smahsers, or the DRRDY Farmers fresher meat team. Leading up to the Cup has been a gruelling season of bouts, practice and dauntless spirit, overcoming all manner of Derby injuries and bruises on the track at home and on the road.

DRRDy Farmers from Durham vs. Skateful Dead of Kingston

Gibson’s Cup is DRRD’s one last chance this year for the two teams to finally smash each other. The culmination of the Durham season brings everyone in the league together all in the spirit of Gibson, yet marks the divide as the Madames and the Smashers go head to head for the only time in their schedule. Will last year’s winners Motor City Madames in purple be able to retain the Gibson’s Cup or will the Atom Smashers be able to hold it in their orange hands?

It is only fitting that Sarah Cutsie Bootsie King [who will be wearing puple] has her say.

“About two and a half years ago the members of the Durham Region Roller Derby league had the honour of meeting an 11-year-old boy who had unforunately spent most of his life battling terminal brain cancer. His name was Gibson, and he was a brave, witty kid who loved cars, motorcycles, loud music, and derby girls.

“When asked to participate in a fundraiser for Gibson, The DRRD Girls jumped at the chance opportunity to get involved. Gibson was able to make it out to one of DRRD’s carwashes to show his support and help wash a few cars, not to mention spraying down a couple of the girls, but unfortunately he was never able to make it out to a game. After his long battle, Gibson lost his courageous fight against cancer in late October of 2010.

Gibson with DRRD players at Fenders for Gibson where the DRRD Girls made Gibson an Official Member of DRRD
[photo courtesy of Durham Region Roller Derby]

“Gibson may no longer be with us, but the DRRD girls are committed to keep his spirit alive. After his passing the DRRD Girls decided to dedicate our first ever home bout to him in what is now known as The Gibson’s Cup. So come show your support this Saturday at the 2nd Annual Gibson’s Cup in Ajax where DRRD’s Motor City Madames and The Atom Smashers hit the track for a Great night of Derby!”

How often does Victory get kicked out of the game? Once. Dancing with Durham in the Royal Court again.

A long time ago in an afterparty in an unnamed bar far far away a certain Number One loudly proclaimed to a couple of Derby fans of the night:

“How often does Victory get kicked out of the game? Once.”

Number One [name disgused to protect the guilty] had been ejected from the game in the second part of a doubleheader between arch rivals Durham and Royal City, and proudly claimed the title of first ever Our Lady of Pain ever to be expelled, for an egregious clockwise block. Or so it seemed in the eye of the beholder.

Was this the moment?

Maybe. Maybe not. The point is two leagues went head to head and just absolutely went about annihilating each other, tooth and nail. The first bout had jammer daring-do and laid blood on the track.

The second bout had the dark side of the force sprawled out in the aftermath of the hit of the night.

Skate harder! Durham’s Motor City Madames win Gibson’s Cup over Atom Smashers

/* this is a story still in the creation stage but we owe it to you all to at least get some recognition for all you have done */

Preamble: The crowds were filling up The Hangar while the D-VAS were hosting their first ever bout against the likes of Bones Brigade and Jewel Kicker as Durham Region Roller Derby took to the track for their inauguration to the competitive track as well. Durham have come a long way, baby. Since then they have gone through the growing pains and acquired a steady place they can call their practice space.

It was just a year ago when we wrote: “”Primary jammers for the Classy Trashy Roller Girls in the first half were #126 Cutsie Bootsie, #18 Roxy Rollah and #6 K-Rip. … Durham Region with all its travails fielding its first team and both leagues [Durham Region Roller Derby and Toronto Roller Derby] garnering first game experience for their rookie teams must be a proud and valuable accomplishment for all. … Under the guidance and coaching of all concerned including Blammo, Goodietwoscrews and Bones Brigade, Derby in Oshawa/Durham Region should not be a secret any longer.”

One year later.

The Derby Gods and Durham Region Roller Derby’s biggest fan must be smiling today. The Gibson’s Cup commemorates the spirit of the league’s friend and ardent supporter, Gibson. The story of Gibson, who the league first met when he was an 11 year old boy, touched the hearts of all of Durham who supported him and is detailed elsewhere more eloquently in their programme.

The 19th of August finally came, and DRRD were ready for the first home game in its history at at the Village Arena in Ajax, Ontario.

Durham has been a league in evolution: last year they were the Durham Classy Trash Rollergirls, but that dissipated and transitioned into the new league represented by the current trio of teams. Durham has always been good for hitting the road, with their all-stars combined as the Durham Roller Derby Devils, spreading the good word about themselves, from Fresh and Furious to 2 Fresh 2 Furious down at GTA Rollergirls turf or Peterborough’s Electric City, Ottawa’s Capital City or other Derby domains such as the West End Waywards Rollergettes.

True believers in the original spirit of Derby, self-motivated, fighting to get ahead, cultivating their Derby family, newbies and vets alike with great coaching and great fans. And at long last Durham held their first home bout. This is not a story about that game itself – but as you can tell from the photos over at Gibson’s Cup the score was kept close with killer hits from Hitz and company on the Atom Smashers, and returned in kind by Slamureye on Motor City.

DRRD’s Interleague Relationship Co-ordinator #99¢ Beat Boxx McRocks who also plays as pivot and blocker on the track, says of the hard day’s night: “We were so thrilled to be lucky enough to hold such a fantastic event. With our league being skater ran and operated, and having been established since 2009-it was so rewarding to see our two spectacular teams final;y bout against each other. We have been striving towards this goal and looking forward to a kick ass season next spring. I have to admit it was well worth the wait.”

“A lot of us have been skating together since the beging of our derby lives, and skate together as a team when we compete as the Durham Derby Devils.

“We are amazed and so excited at the fact that our first ever event SOLD OUT!!! I guess it’s just the tip of the iceberg of things to expect for the future.”

The abundance of Derby experience and expertise within the league and who came out to support Durham was rather astounding, with the presence of different leagues coaches and referees who came to help run the show smoothly. Durham’s normal coach Blammo was announcer for the night in complement with Mo Daddy and Crankypants Jr. There were a few familiar personas on the track, Hitz Miller and Darth Kater had changed names from before, but Cutsie Bootsie was still around from The Hangar days against the D-VAS.

During the game, Coach Lucid Lou on the side of the Motor City Madames only asked two things: “Blockers, skate harder! Jammers, skate faster!” and heaven only knows what coach Mouth of the South said to the Atom Smashers. But words can only go so far – it’s the heart of the players that drives the skates to higher revvs around the track.

The worn-out faces on the players and the sweat and blood and bodies on the floor was all the evidence one needed to show they were complying with their coaches. The Atom Smashers jammer rotation starting with 12 Gage and Legzy Maegzy went head to head against the Motor City Madames Cutsie Bootsie, Darth Kater and Blood Muffin in the first half, then the substitutions started coming in as Smashers began to tire or save their legs.

Morpheus’s line from The Matrix came true: “Stop trying to hit me, and hit me!” Any reluctance the Atom Smashers and Motor City Madames had for hitting fellow leaguemates for real in a real game fell in a wayside of hits and blocks that caused players to tumble and collide with the floor. The Motor City Madames raced to the front to create the walls and allow their jammers to slowly pull away and garner the points. What was a see-saw one or two point difference began to expand in the favour of the blue as the second period clock wound down to zero. The anticipation on the Motor Cities Madames bench was palpable. #244 Hitz Miller from the Smashers took to the Naughty Spot penalty bin for the last time.
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“What I can say about that game was for our first league bout I do think it was very successful and that the girls did an amazing job hosting the bout. As for game play, it was very difficult playing against girls that I skate with as a team every week, we know how each other play and what each others strength and weaknesses are but we all played our hardest given the obstacles of knowing, mind you I was caught off guard by how alot of the girls play and can say I am glad to be on their team in all but that game.” – Krystal Hitz Miller

“Bonesy is no longer with DRRD, Goodie became a ref (Klitty Litter). Blammo is our league coach. She did announcing for the game because it wouldn’t be fair for one team to have her bench manage and not the other. She also does bench managing for our travel team with Biz. She does all for DRRD!”

For another point of view from Cutsie Bootsie on the Motor City Madames, “Just that skating with these girls for the last year and a half has been a life changing experience in the best possible way. It brought me back to life, gave me some of the best friendships I could have ever asked for and when I’m on that track nothing else matters. All my worries and troubles just fade away. Its the best kind of therapy a gal can ask for. I love being on my skates, and I love Derby!”

Indeed, for DRRD, “Roller derby is more then just a sport, it’s a lifestyle.”

GTA rumbles with Royal City

[quick note: this story is still in the writing and photo stage... I've just realized something: this is the first time I've seen a Debutantes victory in person.]

The teams of GTA got deep into a Royal Rumble with the Royal City Rollergirls from Guelph on a cool and rainy Saturday night. But inside, the action was more than hot and primed.

Royal City Rollergirls from Guelph came into the well-packed arena at Ted Reeve on a Saturday night more than ready to rumble against GTA who were officially launching their season. The crowd was more than ready to rumble as well.

While the quickly developing Royal City Rollergirls comprise three teams within their own league, what with Violet Uprising, Killer Queens and Our Ladies of Pain, the RCRG for the night divided into the Freshies and Veterans for the Royal Rumble. And according to Debutantes coach My-Call Bublé it would be the first official 60 minute bout for Royal City. So while the experience level difference might be vast, the ladies in the Royal colours would not be mismatched. With previous coaching help from some Toronto Roller Derby veterans and CN Power along with some input from Guelph vets, Royal City were ready to do their best.

The untold story so far-One Year today in Derby

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There have been Derby moments of moments when arose the fateful day that steered our life towards a bright destiny. As Bryan Adams might have said back in the summer of ’69 it was the best year of our life.

It all began one year ago today with this moment.

We call this  our first Derby photograph.
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Hurl Scout Cheerleaders at Toronto International Festival 2009

Life has never been the same since this little movie.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/midnightmatinee/4002642662/in/set-72157622442723745/”>Whip It!

The following words are a story of a life in Derby that has not been told in public before. This was a story intended for elsewhere but this is that story.
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Hello world! Lake Effect Furies vs. CN Power – August 21, 2010

The photos from the game can be seen on Flickr at: http://tinyurl.com/midnightmatinee60
This story is on www.derbyspotlight.com

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In what was called a “clean” and “fun” match by jammer B.J. Harmstrong the Lake Effect Furies, the all-star team from the Queen City Rollergirls came to exact their revenge upon Canada.

CN Power brought in a different band of sisters for this match than the one last eyewitnessed at Quad City Chaos back on March 27 and 28, 2010. For starters Dyna Hurtcha was on the bench with Sonic Doom overseeing new CN Power faces [but not rookies by any means] Betty Bomber [#23], Candy Crossbones [#2020], Foxy Sinatra [#13], back in action Monichrome [#35], Molly Boom [#XVII], Pretty Peeved [#26er] and a “pants on” Lucid Lou [#12:34]. Returning for CN Power this bout against their counterparts from across the border included Brim Stone [#21:8], Dust Bunny with her Defecaitlin #2 number on, Lady Gag-ya at 212db, Mega Mouth [#26] this time, Nasher the Smasher [#2x4] and Rebel Rock-It [#7].

On the jam line for the Lake Effect Furies this night was last year’s rookie of the year Addy Rawl [#525] who was MIA at the Tri-City match [which was a close loss by the Furies] but back to show her speed and skill along with the Bumble herself B.J. Harmstrong [#134], Mexicali Bruise [#420] and Ruby Revenge [#10]. [Bumbles bounce as is seen in that photo! See Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer for Bumble reference.]

After the intro by Brawl as the Lake Effect Furies demonstrated their cool Ice Ice Baby choreography, CN Power were introduced as ever by Crankypants.

Crankypants was in fine voice and spirits lauding the virtues of Buffalo down the highway and noting all the city contingents from Hamilton, Thames, and the newly formed Kingston who were all there at the steamy hangar to watch these two WFTDA Apprentice teams and trading off on mic with Queen City Brawl calling the action. He was wondering why there was no “Lindy Rough” on the Furies team.

At the Hangar, the action proved to be fierce, fast and furious. The partisan Toronto crowd went wild when CN Power would achieve lead jammer status. Even if the Power were first off the mark they would face the tightknit defensive resistance of the Furies. The battle of jammer on jammer was close with CN Power building a lead.

The feature matchup on jammer was CN Power Defecaitlin against the Furies Addy Rawl. As Addy Rawl, a former NCAA athlete, called it: “Defecaitlin was definitely a good match up for this rookie of the year [last year] as well.” However, the Furies chipped back and gained the lead with a first half score of 53-38. This was a night and day different game from the bout up in Tri-City where the first half score had been only 37-14 in favour of Tri City Thunder.

In the second half the Furies was in solid game control mode, big hits with the indomitable Lip Service [#360] in sync with Argo [#19] along with Lamb Chop #71 to add the chop. The Furies had learned their lessons well about pack control from the Tri City match.

Intent on “nickel and diming” to gain points and build their lead, the Furies tactics of quick stops and starts off the jam ground the hometeam down to a halt. “We definitely were trying to nickel and dime the points away from them, and it definitely seemed to work – but the CN Power had some really great jammers as well, it was such a close game in that aspect,” said B.J. Harmstrong.

However, the CN Power never quit with veteran pivot Rebel Rock-It, Nasher the Smasher and the M&Ms Monichrome and and Mega Mouth in the pack blazing around the track building the block and wall for their own jammers Candy Crossbones, Brim Stone and Defecaitlin who scored her own 15 point jam. Going for broke, Brim Stone went down for the count in a knee down with a collision and nasty fall on her shoulder by the Furies Dr. Dementer over on corner three.

The hit of the night was on Furies’s B.J. Harmstrong who had a spectacular fall but like all good bumbles she bounced back up. And just seconds later Lip Service laid the hit back on the Power.

By the end, the Furies from Queen City like the Sabres always do with the Leafs prevailed over the CN Power by a 110-79 knockout count. It was a fun bout marked with clean play, and respect for each other.

CN Power coach Sonic Doom in summary says: “It was an awesome game, far from a disappointing loss. I really don’t think it was an easy bout for either team, we just came out a little short in the end.”

Let the ladies wrap this up:

Addy Rawl: “I’ll say that it was a high paced, high intensity game, with lots of class and lots of heart from both sides. It was a true display of sportsmanship and the appreciation two teams can have for each other in terms of respecting the skill and style of the opposing team. The beauty of Derby!”

Lamb Chop: “The match seemed super clean – the least amount of penalties I personally have ever had in a bout so I was very excited about that, hehe! It was such a blast to play CN Power, they are great athletes and kept us on our toes at all times. It seems like the Canadian teams skate faster than the leagues here… hockey background? So the pack control is SO important, and I’m glad that the Furies really got a handle on it for this bout, it’s become second nature for us now!”

And the last say goes to CN Power’s Jubilee: “I would say that the Lake Effect Furies played one hell of a strategic game and they were really great to play with. CN Power has come a long way and continuously playing games of that caliber will keep our momentum going! Also, thanks to the fans and media for sticking it out in the heat!!”

Late note: Congratulations to Lake Effect Furies for just a becoming full fledged WFTDA team now!

Earlier debut match of both squads: D-VAS of ToRD and Classy Trashy Roller Girls from Durham

Ice Ice Baby

Mexicali Bruise

Danger Mouse in the House

Here comes Defecaitlin

Mama Chop with the Lake Effect Furies

Mirambo disappears into the night to the world of Pillow Fight League

Durham Classy Trashy Ladies at The Hangar vs. ToRD D-VAS

CLASSY TRASHY ROLLER GIRLS 63 DEADLY VIPER ASSASSINATION SQUAD 104

THE HANGAR, DOWNSVIEW PARK, AUGUST 21, 2010

Photos for this bout are on Flickr at www.flickr.com/photos/midnightmatinee58

The Classy Trashy Roller Girls of Durham Region are a self-described “kick ass team in the making”! And they lived up to their motto as they took to the track for their first game down in Toronto at The Hangar. As part of the 241 Double Header with the Queen City travel team from across the water, Buffalo’s Lake Effect Furies against CN Power, the opening game marked the debut of Durham Region and the Classy Trashy facing the resurrected Deadly Viper Assassination Squad [short form D-VAS] in the incarnation as ToRD’s rookie team. Rebecca Pym / Bones Brigade or “Bonesy”, a seasoned veteran of ToRD Death Track Dolls and CN Power has founded DRRD in Oshawa. She brought down the “you have to be fearless” [quote courtesy of Durham Region News] Durham DRRD squad of eleven players – which in numbers could be a challenge to roll a team on the track. However, not everyone on the team was a rookie, #4 Jewel Kicker [seen last year on the Betties] was DRRD’s triple threat, and with further ammo from #60 Mini Gun from another ToRD blast from the past Bay City Bruisers. It seemed to be more with joy than any trepidation that the first whistle of the jam blew to mark the start of the bout. In the two shortened to 20 minute periods reminiscent of the Montreal tournament Beast of the East the D-VAS were able to build an early lead, seemingly more comfortable on the ToRD track. However, that was no problem for DRRD Jewel Kicker who blazed around the track as jammer. AND BLOCKER. Bones Brigade went skate to skate with her pivot counterpart and captain Misery Mae from D-VAS. Skinned-Knee Crosby the assistant captain of the D-VAS had bouted for the first time ever as a member of the Frenemies against the Rollergettes on May 15 at George Bell Arena. Now in her D-VAS debut she was on pivot and blocker on the outside wall. She as well as the rest of the D-VAS who might be was vying for a position for the draft into ToRD, she has shown a real improvement.

Part of the D-VAS team was Emma Disaster #716 who also hailed from Buffalo. One other name who was familiar from the Canada Day scrimmage was Wolverina with the fierce looking three clawmarks designating her number 111, taking her three point stance on the jamming line to boot as well, AND taking on all three Derby positions. Strategizing, strengths of play could be scrambly at times with plenty of hits and falls, variations of Derby stance and trips leading to the penalty box and the proverbial struggles to stay upright on the track during long no lead jammer jams.

The referee contingent including Parking Lot, Penny Whistler and Classic Joker called it “100% rules from start to finish”, making sure the rookies kept it clean and would learn from their mistakes. There were even a couple of misconduct penalties.

Primary jammers for the Classy Trashy Roller Girls in the first half were #126 Cutsie Bootsie, #18 Roxy Rollah and #6 K-Rip in the first period squaring off against #13 Hellbat [originally from ORD], #1129 Santilly in Yo’Face, #111 Wolverina and #5 Titney. While Hellbat started off the game with a 4 point jam for D-VAS, Roxy Rollah responded with an 8 points on the second jam. The D-VAS were actually holding an 18-15 lead until Hellbat broke for a 14 point run to take the game up to 29-22. With 4:52 left in the period Wolverina with her warpainted face went against Roxy Rollah and scored four more points. As the real world ticked past 6:30 p.m. and the first period with less than two minutes in the first half #911 Krash Klown made her entrance on jammer with an 11-2 jam. Jewel Kicker closed off the first half for the Classy Trashy Roller Girls with a 4 points and the D-VAS ahead 44-32.

With the advent of the second half, Jewel Kicker broke back for DRRD with a near double slam of 9 points against 3 for Santilly in Yo’ Face. For the rest of the period, D-VAS sent jammers Santilly in Yo’ Face #1129, #13 Hellbat, Titney #5, and #111 Wolverina against the likes of #126 Cutsie Pie, #6 K Rip and Jewel Kicker #4 who was probably being held back due to her Smoke City Betties experience took the line only twice. With a triple grand slam from Titney followed by 9 from Hellbat the D-VAS took the score up to 75-44 and dominated at the line for the rest of the game until the last jam. There were plenty of spills and hits sending blockers and jammers to the floor – and double collisions amongst same teams. D-VAS with more awareness seemed to have more control of the pack. With the score at 93-53 with two minutes left, it seemed inevitable that D-VAS were going to get their century, yet both sides were playing full out and giving ‘er the best they got until the game ended with DRRD’s K-Rip closed it off with a double grand slam of her own and a 110-63 final.

Durham Region with all its travails fielding its first team and both leagues garnering first game experience for their rookie teams must be a proud and valuable accomplishment for all. ToRD has new talent waiting for next year’s draft on their farm team.

Under the guidance and coaching of all concerned including Blammo, Goodietwoscrews and Bones Brigade, Derby in Oshawa/Durham Region should not be a secret any longer.