SALT CITY SHAKERS FALL TO PIKE'S PEAK
by Jennifer Philion
(a.k.a. Lady Shatterly, Salt City Derby Girls)
The Salt City Derby Girls’ all-star team, the Shakers, lost their final bout of the 2007 season, 164-139 against the visiting Pike’s Peak Derby Dames Slamazons.
(Editor's note: vocabulary for those new to the growing sport of Roller Derby: Jammers are the only ones who score points; they do this by lapping the pack, earning one point for each skater they then pass. Blockers are the skaters who try to keep the jammers from passing)
The Shakers, overmatched by the Slamazons’ bruising hitters, had a hard time clearing the way for jammers N.O.S. and captain Lady Shatterly, while Slamazons jammers Hang ’Em High Hell’en and Rolleene Thunda racked up points to pull ahead 63-38 after the first 20 minutes.
In the second period, the wheels really came off for the Shakers, as player after player racked up penalties thanks to the Slamazons’ frustratingly tight defensive play. With one or two players in the penalty box for almost all of the period, it was impossible to tighten the gap, and the Slamazons extended their lead to 50 points.
The Shakers showed a spark right before the period ended as jammers N.O.S. outscored Pepper Slay 8-2 to start closing the gap, and Lady Shatterly’s huge hit on Hang ’Em High Hell’en as time ran down sent both skaters into the crowd and set the tone for the coming final period, firing up the Shakers fans.
During the “halftime” break, the Shakers focused on regaining control. “We have to get our discipline back!” said coach El Brujo. “We have no chance if we are always down a player or two.”
Lady Shatterly changed tactics and positions, going in as a blocker and calling on Queen Anne’s Revenge, China White and Dirty Pirate Hooker to jam. All three responded with excellent scoring runs, and the crowd could feel the change in momentum as the Shakers began to shut down the Slamazons’ scorers and close the gap.
However, the effort came too late, and the deficit was too large to overcome. The Shakers completed their first season of interleague bouting with a 1-2 record.