Richmond, VA

Terminal City Rollergirls triumph over Tampa

By Megan Enemies

Terminal City Rollergirls (#38, #10 seed), in their first trip to a WFTDA tournament, racked up an early lead against Tampa Roller Derby, of Tampa, Florida, (#29, #7 seed). The Tampa Tantrums gained momentum against the Canadian team from Vancouver, British Columbia, but the late-game run wasn’t enough to defeat Terminal City, who bested Tampa, 180-154.

Both teams quickly got into penalty trouble, as the packs swept around the track at a frenetic pace. Terminal City executed several star passes in the first half, and Tampa’s blockers seemed to get caught-up in jostling with blockers, sometimes failing to make contact with Terminal City’s jammers, as a result. By the start of the seventh jam, Terminal City was up 45-4.

Tom Klubens

Terminal City’s tough defense repeatedly trapped Tampa’s jammers at the back of the pack, as Tampa’s blockers were forced out of play up front and had no choice but to let the opposing jammer go.

Tampa started the second half looking as though they were about to earn lead jammer status, but Terminal City’s blockers recycled and contained the Tampa jammer, just as she was about to clear the engagement zone. Then in the third jam, after Terminal City jammer Luludemon cut the track and joined two of her blockers in the penalty box, Tampa began to pick up momentum. In the fourth jam, Luludemon returned to the track, only to pick up another penalty. Tampa’s blockers seemed to hit their stride in this jam, exhibiting the kind of communication and teamwork that Terminal City had shown in the first half. By the beginning of jam 6, Tampa was down by only two points – but a track cut by Laryn Kill in jam 8 gave Terminal City a 133-101 advantage. Terminal City continued to dominate at the back of the pack. Even when they started out in front, they quickly collapsed backward to contain Tampa’s jammers.

At the end of Jam 12, Terminal City had a 162-101 advantage. But Tampa went on a seven-jam, 35-4 run, bringing the score to 166-146.

Terminal City’s blockers maintained a laser-like focus throughout the game, never losing sight of the jammer, even when Tampa’s blockers were attempting to break them up. And the Vancouver team sometimes surprised opponents off the line – like the time blocker Eve Hallows, facing forward, did a 360-turn on the whistle to greet the Tampa jammer face-to-face.

Despite racking up a greater number of penalties in the second half, the Terminal City All-Stars emerged the victor.

Final Score

(7) Tampa Roller Derby 154
(10) Terminal City Roller Girls 180

Terminal City will face #2 seed Texas Rollergirls later in Day 2; Tampa will continue play through the weekend in the consolation bracket.