LOUISVILLE, KY- On April 5th, WFTDA hopefuls Derby City Rollergirls went head-to-head against their upriver neighbors, Cincinnati, Ohio’s Black Sheep travel team. CRG was the most experienced opponent DCRG took on in their spring meet, and the crowd at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center was aquiver with excitement, as DCRG went into the bout mentally ready for the challenge of playing a team that had built a reputation for speed and aggressiveness — but Cincy’s greater experience would be prove to be too much for Derby City, as the visitors took the win 181-41.

Though the final score was lopsided in Cincy’s favor, DCRG’s defense kept CRG from running away with every jam. Many jams reflected low scores from both teams, and it was a hard-hitting game on both sides. Cincinnati provided a much-anticipated level of game in a spring meet that proved to be increasingly full of challenges for the DCRG. Going into the bout 1-1, Derby City had two weeks to prepare for the bout following their prior match-up against Blueridge Rollergirls, where Blue Ridge edged out a 92-85 win.

Both squads brought versatile players to the match-up. CRG jammers Barbaric and Scarr were noted for being excellent blockers as well as fast jammers. DCRG’s Sir Wheel has established herself as a jammer, but was extremely effective as a blocker in this bout, making her way through the pack to deliver strategic hits where needed. CRG set the pace, scored, and then called off jams in textbook fashion. They took penalties and played a skater down at times. They worked as a unit, with notable nonverbal communication taking place within the pack. DCRG gained valuable experience playing a WFTDA team, and it was a clean-fought game.

CRG’s jammer rotation of Sadistic Sadie, Hannah Barbaric, and Roseanne Scarr impressed the Louisville crowd with their speed, agility, and maneuverability, and the scoreboard reflected their hard work. Speed demon Sadistic Sadie led Cincinnati with 63 points, with Roseanne Scarr just behind with 62 and Hannah Barbaric putting up 49.

DCRG’s Sk8 Ninja delivered 48 blocks, followed by Gretal Von Slap’s 47 to CRG’s formidable defense. Arche Enemy, among others, was noted in the CRG pack for her irrepressible approach and her physical prowess. Though it was DCRG’s Mamalicious’ last bout before she moves to New Orleans in 2008 (where she hopes to ref for Big Easy RG), she both gave and took an impressive quality of hits, checks, and blocks on the track—as one long-time DCRG observer noted, “she was hitting like never before.”

Derby City has a bit of rest before their next bout — they visit Hard Knox in Knoxville on June 21. Cincinnati takes on a top-ten opponent on May 17th, when they try to upend #9 Philly at home.