TX Hustlers Escape London With 84-63 Win

By Mollie Cosh, Last updated Mon Mar 22 2010 2:13pm

Both teams brought a strong defense to the second period. Texas dominated the front of the pack, with Babe Ruthless frequently forming a relentless one woman wall of doom for London’s jammers. Another power jam saw them regain the lead by one point, only to have London grab it back again, and two nail biting jams later the box was getting busy and points were tied at 55-55. Then at 57-57. Then at 61-61. Ten minutes on the clock, The Final Countdown on the PA, and dancing on the jam line: this was the greatest game of roller derby we’d seen in our lives.

The power ballads seemed to refuel the Texans, and they launched into the home straight determined to break the stalemate. Bloody Mary motored off the jam line, leaving Belle Starr to sweep in and take out Kamikaze Kitten. Mary breezed through the London defense to put the Hustlers into the lead by 4. Forced to play catch up, Brawling found themselves digging deep as their jammers’ minors caught up with them. When the Hustlers got another power jam, the London pack managed to outsprint Bloody Mary, but when Axis of Evon was sent off, Texas lost no time corralling a gazelle, allowing Acute Angel to add a further 3 points to their lead and leaving London with their jammer in the box at the start of the final play. Not content with a mere 6 point lead, the Hustlers pulled out a truly monstrous 15 point final jam and sealed the score at a decisive 84-63.

Verdict? Outstanding spandex. And a totally riveting game with standard setting play from both sides. UK audiences simply haven’t seen a game as fast, close, and tactically demanding - and we’ve never had the pleasure of seeing LRG as thoroughly challenged.

I caught up some Texans to get their thoughts on the game. Molotov said "It would've been really foolish for us to come here expecting to dominate.. as a team, we went into it like we'd go into one of our home games, not knowing how it would go. It was a rough game.. they had obviously studied our Nationals footage! But at the end of a week of traveling and training ... going into the game with all those crazy emotions, it was awesome."

“I was really surprised,” said Babe Ruthless, “not that they were good, but that they were really good ... every trick we had they had it too.”

And how did London Brawling respond to their first defeat? “It was so, so awesome!” said Grievous Bodily Charm*. And how are they feeling about playing more US teams? "I was worried the tour would be intimidating” said Sky, “but now I feel like it will be really fun.” Team captain Kamikaze Kitten was typically focused: "I've never been so exhausted after fighting my way out of the pack,” she said “I’m determined to work harder.”

"I was so proud of everyone,” said Molotov. “All I could think was: congratulations.. I think they [LRG] are going to get a lot more teams wanting to play them." So not just an outstanding game to watch, but a validating experience for London. "It feels like we've always been chasing America,” said May BTwisted, “and now we're not just the little sisters anymore."

Roll on the US tour! We’ll be watching it on the boutcasts.

* okay, possibly not in response to that exact question.