PRD’s Killah Bees v. CTRG’s Yankee Brutals @ Connecticut

Providence’s B-travel team, the Killah Bees, showed everyone how it’s done on May 19th, soundly defeating the Yankee Brutals, the Connecticut Roller Girls’ B-travel team, 160 to 90.

The Bees exhibited true hive mentality, demonstrating again that unforgivingly strong defensive walls can translate to offensive glory. Missing small-but-mighty jammer Jetta von Diesel, several rookie Bee jammers seized the opportunity to spread their wings. Shoreline Roller Derby transfers Luce Cannon and Smoke ‘N Mirrors turned heads, while Shotz of Petrone was recognized only as a savage passing breeze to most Brutals’ blockers. In combination with particularly on-point replacement blocking by Buzz AllDread and Rachael Rayge, the Bees stayed in control the whole game, gradually increasing their lead and pulling away with the 70 point victory over a classy but less-experienced Connecticut squad.

PRD’s Rhode Island Riveters v CTRG’s Stepford Sabotage @ Connecticut

Connecticut’s Stepford Sabotage stunned the Rhode Island Riveters on May 19th, defeating them by just 32 points, 184 to 152, in their first victory of the leagues’ dozen match-ups over the past six years.

The roster was already shuffled before the whistle blew. After a three-game absence, the Riveters were glad to share the track again with powerful and versatile teammate Cleo Patronize. They were especially glad since regulars Small Wonder and Baby Fighterfly were out on shoulder injury and duties of motherhood respectively. It became apparent early in the game that the Riveters would be in for a fight with Connecticut snagging a 30-point lead after a power jam in the second jam of the game. Also right off the bat, the unseasonable heat seemed to down the usually rock-steady Cleo Patronize, Mary Slayne, and Ruca A. Salt, putting an early squeeze on the management to make adjustments in player rotations. Add into the mix the Riveters’ experimentation with offensive formations as yet untested in interleague play, eyebrow-raising officiating, an exceptionally well-prepared opponent, and the anxiety of being unexpectedly on the defensive, and you have the recipe for some theater!

Penalties wrote the story of the game. Getting them or the fear of getting them meant both jammers and blockers were forced to adjust their usual style of play on the fly. Penalties crippled the Riveters in the Dominion game as well, but the penalties called here were a entirely new set of violations.

Though trailing for the duration of the game, the Riveters kept pace with Connecticut, and at two points in the second half rallied back into range off of a few power jams (notably a 15-point jam by Bees swing player Rhoda Perdition). It was not meant to be however, and the Sabotage endured. Thankfully, we hear the Riveters and Bees made sure defeat tasted like whiskey for their new teammate, Connecticut transfer Milla Lowlife, for whom the game held special significance. At least we won the after party! Looking forward to a rematch.

A full text recap may be found here, at Derby News Network!