Going into our second double header of the season, we had a renewed sense of excitement in our league due to recent and long awaited expansion changes. Saturday we re-introduced ourselves to the area & our fans with our newly formed teams. Our A squad now goes by “River Bend Bombers” and our B squad is now the “Rock Island Line”. We felt a strong desire to keep our teams themed around the Quad City area which we all call home. A little back story on Rock Island Line is that the league President, Sugar & Slice, has had about a two year dream of giving a team this name since she first came forth with the idea. It’s such an awesome feeling to reach this point. QCR didn’t have enough girls to fill a roster when I began skating with them nearly two years ago.
I know that some folks couldn’t help but to notice that some long time “Rollers” skated in both bouts that night including yours truly. This is due in part to how our league has proceeded with its new organization. A squad, River Bend Bombers, have a set 10 skaters. Rock Island Line contains everyone else that has tested out on minimum skills however this B squad includes 10 possible spots for what we refer to as “floaters”. Floaters are technically B squad that can & will be called upon to play on the A squad as needed. Check out our website for the roster outline . (We do have quite a few more girls than shown that just need to be tested out & placed so if someone you know seems to be missing, fear not!) This does present some of us with the opportunity to skate twice in one night. Double your pleasure, I say!
B Squad bout: Quad City Rollers-Rock Island Line (54) vs. Eastern Iowa Outlaws-Misdemeanors (81)
Mind you, the Misdemeanors may have taken our track Saturday as a team full of new skaters, we held no illusions that this would mean they would be in any sense an easy opponent to beat. We know full well who their amazing training staff consists of! Their strong blocking and solid walls were to be our ultimate demise. I gotta hand it to my girls though for keeping their attitudes positive, their penalties to a minimum and never giving up. It’s with that spirit that I know we’ve got lots to look forward to.
Our Rock Island Line introduced some newbies as well that night and (as their newly named alternate captain along-side captain, Diamond Dust) I’m so proud of their first time out. I think we all came away with that sense of pride at the things we know we did well but also know better what we need to work on. We don’t really like to think of a low scoring bout at a 27 point deficit to be anything to hang our heads about in a sport such as ours. Everyone is excited & looking forward to rematch with them on November 20th on the Outlaw’s floor.
A Squad bout: Quad City Roller-River Bend Bombers (87) vs. Des Moines Derby Dames (141)
Des Moines Derby Dames were coming to play and suffice it to say their legend preceded them. We were warned, we saw the videos but until you really try to capture & stop one Stella Italliana, you just don’t really know what you are in for. And to whomever files that girl’s sharp shoulder blades…please stop! ;0)
The first half couldn’t have been more exciting. We back & forthed it a few times on the score but always seemed to be no more than 5 points (if memory serves me) difference. We employed a few strategies that seemed to work well in the first half. Pink Taco & Lady Gotcha were keeping the points coming quite well with the aide of our blocking strategies.
But then there was the second half which going in still seemed could be anybodies game. Once again we find ourselves receiving far more penalties than we care to have racked up and when we short ourselves bodies on the track it is just a lot to expect to keep the initial momentum going the same.
Before the bout was complete we watched two team mates skate away for reaching their 7th trip to the box. D3 put up a few large jams that half as well so then the obvious result would unfold.
We had a great time with both teams that night and always do our best to come away having learned more about ourselves. Thanks again to the Eastern Iowa Outlaws-Misdemeanors and to the Des Moines Derby Dames for a great night and a great challenge.
Coming up…
The Quad City Rollers-River Bend Bombers are thrilled to be headed to Iowa City on Saturday October 30th for a second Monster’s Brawl with our great friends and fierce opponents the Old Capital City Roller Girls. Cannot wait to bash it up with them again!
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