A Bout, Two Begin
06/02/09 07:40 AM | Spurts
The NRG Lead Jammer rounds a corner alone heading for the pack.
As I walked into the Toyota pavilion I knew something was different. There was a clarity to the air. There was a buzz and excitement to the whole place. There were Stormtrooopers and Rebel Alliance members. Droids, Wookies, Fetts and even Tuscan Raiders. The Cyclone Wars were about to roll over us all, and I knew that the tide had turned. That the day was going to end up all right. I knew in an instant the funk of the last couple of hours was finished. There was a different Force at work.
I took videos of a Boba Fett, a Tuscan Raider and the R2 unit. Before I even got to my usual seating area I saw Rich trundling by with a beer. Then I headed to the beer concession to get a full beer that wouldn't have to o be poured onto the ground to appease some power wielding authority thug. Soon the crowds began to file in. The Star Wars theme prevalent and as the opening bars of John Williams music burst through the speakers the crowd went wild. Seats filled, some of them I had reserved for my friends were misappropriated by interlopers, but in the end we all got along for the better.
The bouts began with the Warning Bells vs. the S.W.A.T. team, both Jr. Varsity if you will, versions to their home towns primary Roller Girl Leagues. The Bells battled brilliantly besting the B-teamers from Allen County by fifty three points. Then some between bouts shenanigans ensued with me making nice with one of the Ft.Wayne Jammers Kiki U.Skullzin who just so happens to be the sister of our own Chatterbox friend Toni Smith. I commented to Kiki that if she wasn't Toni's twin then she was indeed a Clone, that's when I got the Clone-Wars reference.
On to the main event: The Naptown Roller Girls (NRG) Tornado Sirens vs. Fort Wayne Derby Girls (FWDG) Bomb Squad. Neck and neck action with the Bomb Squad leading through the first period. I moved to the floor and video taped a bit of the action next to my buddy Jared Haller who was adorned with so much camera gear that his straps and harnesses had him looking so much like a Rebel Alliance renegade that Stormtroopers actually came and grabbed up his wife and jailed her at one point during the action.
More half-time hi-jinx and then a nail biter final period. The Sirens were able to take their first lead of the bout with a little under 10 minutes remaining, but the scoring was back and forth with the Bomb Squad having the advantage leading into the final two jams of the night.
In the first of the last two jams FWDG Jammer Pushycat #69 was penalized and NRG Jammer Blazin' Ace, #33/6 went on to score a grand slam + 4, pushing the score to FWDG 65, NRG 78. The final jam saw the FWDG Jammer get lead jammer status but needing three Grand slams to win the bout for Fort Wayne before time ran out.
A sense of purpose inspired the crowd, everyone was on their feet willing the Sirens to hold fast to the lead. Announcers Dill and Brownie reminded the crowd that two unanswered grand slams would tie the game and three would cement a Fort Wayne victory. The final jam began, Fort Wayne's jammer garnered lead Jammer status and took off. It looked like the cards were falling Fort Wayne's way and the crowd got more vocal. Indy' blockers were all but useless in stopping her as she got the first grand slam. Penalties sent two FWDG blockers to the sidelines and the crowd was at a fever pitch. On Ft. Wayne Lead Jammer, 'R.I.P. Tides' next pass the NRG blockers shut her down and closed her path causing her to draw a penalty to put her out of scoring while Indy's Jammer, Serial Killer '#2 scoops', never got around for scoring.
I was hoarse from hollering as were many around me when the buzzer sounded. With the ball bearings in the skate wheels NRG red-hot the game ended. Scoring yet to be tallied everyone took a collective deep breath and waited the final decision. The final score was FWDG Bomb Squad 70, NRG Tornado Sirens 78. Three days later I am hearing from others who were there that this was the best bout they've seen in three years of NRG action at the Fairgrounds!
Heather Givans suffers from Empiritis while Jon Suenram and Bec Hutton look on.