Preview: Arch Rival @ #16 Cincinnati
CINCINNATI, OH -- Last weekend, the Black Sheep very quickly turned a disappointing 0-1 start to the 2010 season into an impressive 3-1 record, as they went undefeated in the Franky Panky event hosted by the Tampa Bay Derby Darlins. Although they were able to dominate in two of those games, easily winning over Tallahassee and Tampa, it took a last-minute comeback for them to defeat the #20 Dallas’ Hell Razors. Surely watching the Derby News Network coverage and studying the Black Sheep from afar were St. Louis, Missouri’s Arch Rival Rollergirls (ARRG), who travel to Cincinnati on Saturday for a game in the historic Cincinnati Gardens.
DNN is pleased to feature live video coverage of this event courtesy of the Cincinnati Rollergirls. Coverage will begin Saturday, April 18 at 7 PM Eastern (4PM Pacific) starting with a 40-minute B-team show down as the CRG Silent Lambs (1-0) take on the ARRG St. Lunachicks (0-1).
After starting their season with a win over Memphis, Arch Rival has dropped its last two games to Milwaukee and Atlanta. Current WFTDA North Central Region rankings place the Black Sheep at #4 and ARRG at #8. Last year, Cincinnati twice defeated ARRG, including a victory that knocked St. Louis out of the WFTDA North Central Regional tournament. In 2008, ARRG defeated the Black Sheep in a mini round-robin game at Ft. Wayne’s Fall Brawl tournament. Saturday’s game marks the fourth battle between these teams in what is shaping up to be a nice regional rivalry.
Last weekend’s games seem to show that the Black Sheep are comfortable relying on K Lethal, Hannah Ouchocinco, and Nuke ‘Em to do most of the jamming (although Dr. McDerby is back for this game and is likely to jam as well). Ouchocinco does her share of blocking as well, and the team seems to have figured out a rhythm after that opening loss in March. This Black Sheep team is very well-balanced offensively and defensively, and their execution of strategy has come a long way since the first game.
Although ARRG is a well-matched opponent, they will have trouble dealing with the front defense of Sk8r Kinney and Karma Krash, and Buckhead Betty had a standout performance in Florida that she should be able to match in the Gardens. With Sadistic Sadie and Trauma patrolling the pack like sharks on the scent of blood, ARRG’s jammers will be going back to Missouri with their share of bumps and bruises -- regardless of the outcome of the game.
Much like the Black Sheep, St. Louis is still trying to develop team chemistry, as their roster has a few changes since last season. New to the team and unknown to the Cincinnati players are Smarty McFly, Black Market Baby, Punches Pileup, Domme E. Nation, and Downtown Dallis.
Black Market Baby is a speedy jammer who is showing lots of potential (much like Cincinnati’s own K Lethal, when she debuted last season.) Team captain Keligula is a well rounded player, equally comfortable jamming or blocking; this game marks her return from an injury she sustained in the 2009 North Central Regional tournament. Well-known returning veterans who are likely to have their names called over the PA a lot on Saturday night include jammers Artemischief and Starry Starry Fight, two great athletes that can put up big points and carry the offense on their shoulders if necessary.
Another St. Louis standout is former Tucson Roller Derby blocker Eli Wallop, who has been playing roller derby since before the Cincinnati Roller Girls existed. Between her and blockers Grave Danger, Mayor Francis Slayer, Davey Blockit, the Black Sheep jammers are going to have a very hard time negotiating the pack.
Look for this game to be low-scoring, defense-heavy, and close throughout, much like the game the Black Sheep played against Dallas last weekend. If the score is indeed close at the end of the game and ARRG can keep their jammers out of the box, Cincy could see another home upset loss for the Black Sheep.
Additional reporting by Miss Print, Chewblocka and Smarty McFly.
333 Buckhead Betty // 15 Dr. McDerby // 85 Hannah Ouchocinco // 21 June with a Cleaver // 83 Jungle Lacy // 187 K Lethal // 3 Karma Krash // 4 Killian Destroy // 86 Nuk'em // 76 Sadistic Sadie // 66.5 Sista Sacralicious // 69 Sk8 Crime // 11 Sk8r-Kinney // 5 Trauma
43Artemischief // 40K Black Market Baby // 222 Enya Nighmare // 88 Starry Starry Fight // 4 Mayor Francis Slayer // 929 Davey Blockit // 1NR1 Punches Pileup // 350 Domme E. Nation // 6FU Grave Danger // 520 Eli Wallop // 7 Educator // 121 Smarty McFly // 101 Downtown Dallis // 1V Keligula
