This weekend saw Kent Roller Girls’ final game of Division 3 South of the British Roller Derby Championships where they took on Cornwall.
After wins against Plymouth, Bath, Surrey and North Devon both teams entered the game undefeated and having secured places at the promotion playoffs in September.
The game was expected to be incredibly tight with only two places between the teams in the UK rankings. A win for Kent would mean being crowned Southern champions and entering playoffs in a stronger position, facing a second placed team from one of the other UK regions.
Roller derby is played in passages of play of up to 2 minutes, known as ‘jams’. The object of the game is to score more points than the other team by lapping opposing skaters on the track. Each team has one scoring player (a jammer) who is trying to pass opposing players.
The rest of the team are blockers, whose job it is to stop the opposing jammer getting past whilst helping their own jammer to advance.
Cornwall scored first after the whistle, finishing the first jam 2-1. Cornwall had clearly done their homework as they earmarked Kent’s jammer, Tenacious, who has impressed in every game this season with her ducking and weaving style, and held her to no points in the second jam.
Despite Cornwall’s best efforts, Kent picked up momentum, adding a few points in each jam. An impressive showing from Kent’s Bionic Bessie racked up 14 points in one jam as Kent’s blockers held Cornwall’s jammer to zero. Kent finished the first half up 101-39.
The beginning of the second half brought danger for Kent as Cornwall took advantage of fatigue, gaining 20 points to only 5 from Kent. After a strategic time out from Kent’s bench coach, Rosa Lethal, Kent found their second wind. Cornwall continued to fight but Kent proved too strong for them as they continued their momentum to finish 160-95.
KRG’s Foxygen, a trainee nurse who has recently graduated from Canterbury Christ Church University, has gone from strength to strength this season and was rewarded with her first Best Jammer award.
Kent’s founder, Demi Lition, was awarded Best Blocker and the formidable Jiggly Tough who transferred to Kent from Basingstoke last season won Most Valuable Player.
Speaking of the win, Foxygen said; “That was easily the hardest game I’ve ever played – Cornwall were such tough opponents. We’re all so delighted with the win. Bring on the playoffs!”
If you’re interested in giving roller derby a go, Kent Roller Girls run their training league at the Herne Bay Sports Arena every Sunday.
You don’t need to know how to skate and training is offered to accommodate all levels. For more information go to kentrollergirls.com or find them on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Photo credit: Michael East.