SandyB, DebraS and I met at Threadgill’s restaurant for dinner, then drove to the Palmer Event Center to take in a fearsome banked-track roller derby bout between the Holy Rollers and the Rhinestone Cowgirls. It was my first roller derby, so I appreciated Debra giving Sandy and me the rules and expectations. And it turned out to be as entertaining as the belt sander races.
We arrived right after the doors opened and bought our tickets, soon finding great seats in the folding chairs along the stands. People were dressed colorfully, and some brought signs cheering on their favorites.
The coach of the Holy Rollers was dressed as a nun, and as the team members were introduced to the audience, each approached Mother on her knees. All the blessings didn’t help the Holy Rollers: the Rhinestone Cowgirls left them behind by blocking and pivoting more successfully around the banked track. The Rhinestone Cowgirls were pretty flashy in red — maybe that helped them earn about 100 points to the Holy Rollers’ 50-some.
A talented rock and roll band blasted away as the audience arrived and also during intermission, and some fun intervals took place to (I think) break ties or address fouls. A penalty wheel was spun with tasks on it like arm wrestling, whole-body wrestling, and pillow fighting.
As each effort began, the Pivots and Blockers would bunch up on the track as the Jammers (one from each team) tried to break through and race past them as many times around the track as possible, securing points for their team. The Blockers were very serious: lots of elbows and the thuds of falling bodies. Young bodies, I might add.
Other bouts from this Texas Roller Derby League will be occurring this season, and I plan to attend another soon.
MarilynF