Bay Area (#3) fends off tough challenge from Rat City (#6) to advance

By Lois Slain

The marquee bout of the night, featuring Bay of Reckoning hosts B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls (#3) versus the Rat City Rollergirls (#6), lived up to expectations of being one of the most exciting bouts of the tournament’s first day.

Photo by Tony Rotundo

Jammer penalties quickly shaped up to be the determining factor, as B.A.D. gave up two power jams in the first seven minutes, allowing Rat City to build up a slight lead. B.A.D. began chipping away at that lead, nickel-and-diming their way back to a tie game, and then the lead as both teams poured on heavy defense.

Jammer penalties reared their head again toward the end of the first period, giving both teams a shot at power jams. In one chaotic jam, both jammers went to the box twice on an assortment of penalties. After the dust settled, B.A.D. was clinging to a slim 9-point lead as the teams took the halftime break.

B.A.D. started off strong in the second period, inching their way to a slightly larger 30-point lead over Rat City. But, Rat City soon got to take advantage of a power jam and B.A.D. blocker penalties to tie the game up with 12 minutes to play.

“When we were on the floor, it was working great for us,” said B.A.D. coach G Money. “When we weren’t, we were giving them the game.”

While the game stayed neck-and-neck for a handful of jams, Rat City entered a tough stretch that saw Carmen Getsome serving three minutes in the box over three jams, giving B.A.D. their biggest lead so far in that bout.

While Rat City quickly rallied to dial in some more points, they found themselves on the wrong side of yet another power jam soon after. With just under 2 minutes on the clock and Rat’s Missile America starting in the penalty box for a late hit, B.A.D.’s Chantily Mace picked up lead jammer and came to a halt on the track, trying to run out the clock and avoid a potentially costly penalty.

Bay Area pulled out the win and will face Denver Roller Dolls (#2) on Day 2.

“We got beat up pretty bad by Denver earlier in the year,” G Money said. “It’s going to be an interesting game.”

Rat City will play Wasatch Roller Derby (#9) in the consolation bracket.

B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls 229
Rat City Rollergirls 177

Interview by Eva Menace