WFTDA 2010 South Central Playoffs Day 1 Recap

Day 1 Features Few Surprises

In the inaugural bout of South Central Regionals “Amber Waves of Pain” in Lincoln, NE, #7 Houston Roller Derby dominated the first half with lead jammer status over #10 Memphis Roller Derby, picking up 15 of the 18 jams for the period. The Houston defense held Memphis to 98-35 during the first. The half gave Memphis a chance to rally, and they came out at the start of the second period picking up the first three lead jams. Despite the strong start to the second period, Memphis was unable to come back from the 63 point deficit. With four 15+ point jams, Houston took the game, 237-61.

The #8 No Coast Derby Girls’ Mad Maxines started the bout off strong, holding #9 Hard Knox Roller Girls scoreless for 11 jams. No Coast’s strong defense was able to keep Hard Knox to a mere 13 points in the first half, closing out the period at 93-13. While No Coast kept the same jammer rotation throughout the bout, straying only once to let Bone Setter jam, Knox shortened their jammer pool, rotating Drop Dead Gorgeous and Goblynn throughout the second half. Although Drop Dead was able to score 41 points in the second, it wasn’t enough to stop No Coast. No Coast came out victorious, 168-70.

Photo by Phil Peterson

What promised to be one of the most closely contested bouts of the day between #4 Dallas Derby Devils and #5 Nashville Rollergirls started out as a smash fest that gave Nashville the clear advantage. Carrying the lion’s share of lead jammer status, Nashville put up 82 points in the first period, to the Hell Raisers’ 31. The big hits from the first period carried into the second, though Nashville spent much more time in the penalty box, leaving Dallas with a chance to bridge the 51-point deficit. With a rare jammer-less jam in the second, the Hell Raisers were able to close the gap to 34 points, but it was too little too late. The Nashville Rollergirls upset Dallas, 118-84.

Kansas City Roller Warriors (#3) scored fewer than 10 points in the first eight jams against #6 Tampa Bay Derby Darlins, but that didn’t seem to faze the Kansas City Wolf Pack. They skated strong, scoring 66 points in the first period to Tampa’s 35. Most notably in the first half, the period ended with Tampa unable to field a jammer before the start of the jam, letting Track Rat skate unopposed; she scored 24 points. The second half saw Kansas City with three, 20+ point jams. Tampa fought hard, but was unable to mount a comeback. Kansas City defeated Tampa by a clean century count: 188-88.

Atlanta Rollergirls (#2) skated against #7 Houston Roller Derby for their first bout of the day. Tight pack play was Atlanta’s hallmark for the first period, and despite splitting lead jammer status almost equally with Houston, the Dirty South Derby Girls were able to capitalize with 93 points in the first period, against Houston’s 32. During the second half of play, Houston captured lead jammer status nearly twice as often as Atlanta, but were unable to catch Atlanta’s hefty lead. The 60-point differential stood from the first period, and Atlanta came out on top, 154-92.

The #1 seed Texas Rollergirls took the track for their first game of the day against #8 No Coast. The pack moved quickly, but the Texecutioner jammers moved faster. Texas came out with a strong front pack, and successfully held the Mad Maxines from mounting a challenge. No Coast finished the first period by breaking into double digits, and the period ended with the Texecutioners 154, No Coast 11. The last jam had the crowd at Pershing on their feet, supporting the Mad Maxines, and Princess Lay-Ya-Flat didn’t disappoint; she scored 14 points, the team’s highest scoring jam for the bout. The final score was Texecuitoners 251, No Coast Roller Derby Girls 50.

Day 1 Results

• Houston Roller Derby (#7) 237
  Memphis Roller Derby (#10) 61
  • Houston advances to play #3 Atlanta Rollergirls in Bout 6 later in the day; Memphis will play in the consolation bracket against Dallas on Saturday.
• No Coast Derby Girls (#8) 168
  Hard Knox Rollergirls (#9) 70
  • No Coast will go on to play #1 Texas later in the day in Bout 5; Hard Knox Rollergirls move on to the consolation bracket to play Tampa Saturday.
• Nashville Rollergirls (#5)118
  Dallas Derby Devils (#4) 84
  • Nashville will advance to play Texas on Saturday, during Bout 9; Dallas goes on to face Memphis in the consolation round in Bout 7.
• Kansas City Roller Warriors (#3) 188
  Tampa Tantrums (#6) 88
  • Kansas City will go on to play Atlanta Saturday; Tampa moves on to play Hard Knox.
• Atlanta Rollergirls (#2) 154
  Houston Roller Derby Hard Knocks (#7) 92
  • Atlanta advances to play #3 Kansas City; Houston moves to consolation bracket to play the winner of Bout 8 on Saturday.
• Texas Rollergirls (#1) 251
  No Coast Derby Girls (#8) 50
  • Texas goes on to play Nashville on Saturday; No Coast moves to the consolation bracket to play the winner of Bout 7.

Get more info about the tournament at www.amberwavesofpain.com.