Columbia, SC

By Whacks Poetic

The roller derby fans have been talking about the rise of the Ann Arbor Derby Dimes from Ann Arbor, MI, USA all year. They’re known for skating clean and together — two factors that helped their ascent into the 2016 International WFTDA Division 1 Playoffs. The question was whether they could continue to play their game against the higher ranked home team, Columbia Quad Squad of Columbia, SC, USA. Columbia, meanwhile, is known for ending up in penalty trouble in playoffs, averaging 42 penalties per game in the post-season. While Ann Arbor looked dominant for a time, they wouldn’t be able to hold on to the win with the host league taking it in the very last jam, 149-145.

By Merry Khaos

The opening game of the WFTDA Division 1 International Playoffs Columbia saw the playoff debut of the Rainy City Roller Derby All Stars of Oldham, Greater Manchester, UK as they matched up against a team that has participated in every WFTDA playoff since 2009: Steel City Roller Derby Steel Hurtin' of Pittsburgh, PA, USA. Despite their inexperience on a Division 1 stage, Rainy City came in determined to prove that their ranking earned at Beach Brawl was not a fluke.