Bout Recap: Dames 123 - Old Capitol City 156
Dames still winless against Iowa City squad
March 28, 2011
Long before the announcement that the 7 Flags Event Center was sold out, there was something in the air leading up to the bout pitting the Des Moines Derby Dames versus the Old Capitol City Roller Girls. You could tell that it was going to be big. Lots of fans RSVPed via Facebook, pre-bout ticket sales could only be described as brisk and there wasn’t even an arena football game to compete with as the cross-town Barnstormers opened their season on a Friday instead of their usual Saturday. At this point, everything was working in the favor of the Des Moines Derby Dames. The Old Capitol City Roller Girls were out to make sure that the bout itself did not.
Saturday night’s bout was the first meeting between the two teams since becoming WFTDA Apprentice Leagues. Both received the accreditation after last season – OCC’s second, D3’s first.
Old Capitol City came into the bout having played bouts in the two previous Saturdays. The Dames hoped that a third bout in as many weeks would find OCC tired and off their game. This would prove to not be the case.
As the bout started, the Dames did what they always do and that’s score quickly in the first jam and shut out the opposition. It would prove to be the only lead that the Dames would enjoy for the entire bout. OCC returned to the 7 Flags Event Center with a vastly improved defense. Throughout the bout, OCC’s blockers never seemed to get out of the way long enough for D3’s jammers to make their moves. In roller derby, it’s just as important to move laterally as it is to move north and south. Quick cuts and holding your ground are paramount in forming strong walls and protections. OCC does this very well.
The Dames didn’t let the game get too out of control, never trailing by more than 50 at any given time. As most derby fans know, leads of 50 points can disappear in just 2 or 3 jams, so OCC knew to keep their foot on the gas. OCC’s jammer corp was lead by Ophelia Fracture, who did the lion’s share of jamming for the evening, often pairing up with Dames jammer Stella Italiana. Left 4 Deadwards showed that she was easily one of the more nimble and graceful skaters for OCC as she slid, twisted and turned through the pack. GLADi8HER rounded out the main trio of jammers, but was limited in the early goings after taking a hard fall early in the first half.
For D3’s jammers, they were already working uphill with veteran Cosmo Disco relegated to NSO duties after suffering a cracked rib after the first bout versus Quad City. Stella Italiana would find herself on the track most of the night, backed by Elbow Macfearson who was picking up more jamming duties with the loss of Cosmo, along with Smallsbury Steak, Show Stopper and Autopsy Turvey.
It was clear that the bout would be a physical one as penalties started mounting up immediately. D3 had their very first opportunity for a power jam late in the first half, but as quickly as it started, Stella Italiana collected her fourth minor penalty and was sent to the penalty box. Blocker M.O.A.B. also had the eyes of the officials throughout the night as she collected several major penalties. OCC's captain and coach Bat R Up voluntarily removed herself from the game midway through the second half after receiving her sixth major penalty, one short of a game ejection.
Even with their leader on the bench, OCC didn’t relinquish the lead. D3 was able to climb to within 20 points in the second half, but would get no closer. OCC’s skilled blocking corp kept D3’s jammers at bay and their blockers off balance. As the trips to the penalty box continued to mount for D3 in the second half, it became clear that a first victory against OCC would elude the Dames for another season. As the final seconds ticked away in the final jam, Stella Italiana grabbed enough points to keep the score respectable at 156-123.
The challenges for the Dames don’t get any easier. Next up is a trip to Sioux Falls, South Dakota on April 16 to take on their first WFTDA league of the season in the Sioux Falls Roller Dollz.
Dames still winless against Iowa City squad
March 28, 2011
Long before the announcement that the 7 Flags Event Center was sold out, there was something in the air leading up to the bout pitting the Des Moines Derby Dames versus the Old Capitol City Roller Girls. You could tell that it was going to be big. Lots of fans RSVPed via Facebook, pre-bout ticket sales could only be described as brisk and there wasn’t even an arena football game to compete with as the cross-town Barnstormers opened their season on a Friday instead of their usual Saturday. At this point, everything was working in the favor of the Des Moines Derby Dames. The Old Capitol City Roller Girls were out to make sure that the bout itself did not.
Saturday night’s bout was the first meeting between the two teams since becoming WFTDA Apprentice Leagues. Both received the accreditation after last season – OCC’s second, D3’s first.
Old Capitol City came into the bout having played bouts in the two previous Saturdays. The Dames hoped that a third bout in as many weeks would find OCC tired and off their game. This would prove to not be the case.
As the bout started, the Dames did what they always do and that’s score quickly in the first jam and shut out the opposition. It would prove to be the only lead that the Dames would enjoy for the entire bout. OCC returned to the 7 Flags Event Center with a vastly improved defense. Throughout the bout, OCC’s blockers never seemed to get out of the way long enough for D3’s jammers to make their moves. In roller derby, it’s just as important to move laterally as it is to move north and south. Quick cuts and holding your ground are paramount in forming strong walls and protections. OCC does this very well.
The Dames didn’t let the game get too out of control, never trailing by more than 50 at any given time. As most derby fans know, leads of 50 points can disappear in just 2 or 3 jams, so OCC knew to keep their foot on the gas. OCC’s jammer corp was lead by Ophelia Fracture, who did the lion’s share of jamming for the evening, often pairing up with Dames jammer Stella Italiana. Left 4 Deadwards showed that she was easily one of the more nimble and graceful skaters for OCC as she slid, twisted and turned through the pack. GLADi8HER rounded out the main trio of jammers, but was limited in the early goings after taking a hard fall early in the first half.
For D3’s jammers, they were already working uphill with veteran Cosmo Disco relegated to NSO duties after suffering a cracked rib after the first bout versus Quad City. Stella Italiana would find herself on the track most of the night, backed by Elbow Macfearson who was picking up more jamming duties with the loss of Cosmo, along with Smallsbury Steak, Show Stopper and Autopsy Turvey.
It was clear that the bout would be a physical one as penalties started mounting up immediately. D3 had their very first opportunity for a power jam late in the first half, but as quickly as it started, Stella Italiana collected her fourth minor penalty and was sent to the penalty box. Blocker M.O.A.B. also had the eyes of the officials throughout the night as she collected several major penalties. OCC's captain and coach Bat R Up voluntarily removed herself from the game midway through the second half after receiving her sixth major penalty, one short of a game ejection.
Even with their leader on the bench, OCC didn’t relinquish the lead. D3 was able to climb to within 20 points in the second half, but would get no closer. OCC’s skilled blocking corp kept D3’s jammers at bay and their blockers off balance. As the trips to the penalty box continued to mount for D3 in the second half, it became clear that a first victory against OCC would elude the Dames for another season. As the final seconds ticked away in the final jam, Stella Italiana grabbed enough points to keep the score respectable at 156-123.
The challenges for the Dames don’t get any easier. Next up is a trip to Sioux Falls, South Dakota on April 16 to take on their first WFTDA league of the season in the Sioux Falls Roller Dollz.
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