Jet City Bombers Ride the Wave, Face Rainy City Tomorrow

Sometimes teams simply don’t play as well as their individual parts. Unfortunately for Tacoma’s Dockyard Derby Dames all-stars, the Wave of Mutilation, last Saturday was one of those nights.

Facing another highly skilled all-star team out of Everett, the Jet City Bombers, Dockyard knew it’d have to be at the top of its game to slow down the Bombers. But from Connie Torturous’ huge hit on Wave’s Dakota D. Stroya in the very first pass attempt in the very first jam, the tone was set.

Wave of Mutilation's Franky Bones lays out Jet City's Missus Unshine.

While things started closely in the first two jams, with Jet City up 5-4, things quickly unraveled for the Wave of Mutilation. Part of it was Jet City’s speed, as the Bombers kept pushing the pack and forcing Wave to skate its pace. Part of it was the fact that for whatever reason, the Wave just seemed to be a little off all night.

The Bombers quickly jumped out to a huge lead and never looked back. Skaters like Cheerbleedher, Connie Torturous, Indy Pendant, Sierra Fist, Mona Agony, Precious N Metal, and Fuzz Kill frustrated Dockyard throughout. But the real muscle on the night for Jet City came from the likes of Trixxxie’s Trash’n Em and Nasty Nikki Nightstick.

Two Jet City bombers team up on a jamming Vitamin V last weekend.

I was enjoying just watching (lately I’ve been tasked with a wide variety of bout-day activities, from announcing to NSOing to whatever else) so I didn’t take any detailed notes on this one, or even write down the final score (whoops!).

Jet City did a number of things well. They kept the Wave from getting comfortable and forced the Wave to skate their style of bout almost all night. While they were keeping up with Dockyard’s physical side, it was their speed and agility in the pack that won them the bout.

Jet City's Ivana Hercha was one of several jammers to contribute to the blowout.

To Dockyard’s credit, while the team lost 200 something to less than 100, the game certainly didn’t feel like a blowout.  That’s one thing I’ve always enjoyed and really appreciated as a derby fan about Dockyard…no matter the score, they’re still gonna try to hit you as hard as they can!

As Vitamin V demonstrates here. Missus Unshine is again on the receiving end.

Really, when Dockyard did communicate and build walls, they were effective. It just didn’t happen that much. Now don’t get me wrong…I love the Dockyard girls. They’re some of my favorites outside Rainy City to watch and party with. But simply stated, they just didn’t play up to their own level in this one. I’ve seen almost every skater on the Wave of Mutilation play better than they did last weekend. Again, why they were seemingly a little off kilter I don’t know. But I’m sure they’ll rebound, learn from the experience and come back better for it.

Dakota D. Stroya, Mytai Smashya, Vitamin V and Teeny Mussolini all had solid individual efforts, but I was most impressed by the consistently hard-hitting Franky Bones, who I had not yet gotten to see skate before. She was certainly a force to be reckoned with.

As for Jet City, especially being the Bombers, I had another vested interest in watching this bout. You see, tomorrow, the Rainy City Roller Dolls play host to the same Bombers.

the rainy city scouting section

It was nice to not only get a look at the Bombers prior to playing them, but I always enjoy the trips up to Tacoma, an old stomping ground of mine. The Soccer Center provides a great (albeit hot and sweaty) atmosphere for the sport, the skaters are all super nice (thanks for the cookies Judy Asa Punk and the conversation Streepers!). I also got to meet a few more of the girls in person and it’s always fun chewing the fat with Elwood Bruise. Thanks for the fun night Dockyard! Sorry I couldn’t afterparty this one…I’ll have to make it up to y’all at the next one…league championships perhaps?

But I digress…come to the bout this weekend between Rainy City and the Bombers! It’s gonna be another fun one!

you know you want to!

I’ll be announcing alongside Rainy City’s newest face on the mic, Sparticus! It should be a great opportunity to announce alongside another talented announcer (I tried to work announcement and announcing into this sentence too, but just couldn’t bring myself to it).

In any event, bout time is 7 p.m. at the Rollerdrome in Centralia. Be there!

Short Track

Earlier that same Saturday, six members of the Rose City Rollers’ Axels of Annihilation came up to the ‘Drome to scrimmage with Rainy City. Originally, this was supposed to be the Wheels of Justice as well as Rat City, but Rat had to back down. Rather than stepping down altogether however, former RCRD co-founder Napalm Beth rallied up some of her AoA teammates and gave a full Rainy City roster its money’s worth.

first jam of the scrimmage...Hi Slaughter!

In addition to Napalm Beth, the team also consisted of Wreck Deckard, Scrappy Go Lucky, Shove Me Tender, Sully Skullkicker (I think) Honey Hellfire and one more I can’t remember (sorry napalm…lost the list you made me If anyone does know, please add it either comments or get a hold of me! Thanks!).

For only having six skaters, the AoA Super Six (as I’ll dub them), skated extremely well, even if it was just a scrimmage.

Nice block by Toot A Lou opens it up for Kill'er B

Since it was a scrimmage, the squads took a handful of breaks to talk with refs about things, talk to each other and, for the sake of the Super 6, just take a breather! In addition to their more veteran skaters, Rainy City also got to see how some of their fresh meat stack up against some tough competition. Ultimately, the score would have been pretty close, had it been kept.

GnR's Napalm Beth reaquaints herself with former Rainy City teammate Holly Hobbler

Ultimately, it was a nice experience for everyone involved and a nice warm-up for tomorrow’s Rainy City bout.

In addition to hanging out with the skaters for a little bit, it was also nice to see a couple refs I hadn’t seen since Derby Daze and the Refs/NSO clinics there. They were also super helpful in relaying rules info to the skaters. Their time was even more appreciated after we found out they also had a derby doubleheader. But rather than simply skippin up I-5 to Tacoma, they were heading to Hermiston, Ore. for some action down there.

Wench Warden lets 'em know what's up.

In the end, another great opportunity for the skaters and another great photo opportunity for me!

nice crossover mangles!

Even Shorter Track

Couple more things I wanted to throw in here real quick-like.

First off, WFTDA regionals is ongoing and already underway with the Brawl of America North Central tournament. If you’re not watching it live, then you damn well better start! Last weekend’s Wicked Wheels of the East tournament provided one of the best bouts ever as Philly upended Gotham for the title in the final jam. Don’t miss the next potential great bout.

Secondly, Rainy City made their TV debut this week, as NW Adventure paid a visit. Then the fellas tried to scrimmage…ouch. It’s a little bit into it but well worth it!

Thirdly, Dockyard is trying like hell to fundraise for an upcoming trip north of the border against Calgary! They’re having a garage sale this weekend. If you need a sale to go to or will be in Tacoma, check it out!

Lastly, in a sad moment, a heartfelt condolence to the Northstar Rollergirls and the family of Moxie Mayhem, who was tragically killed when a car struck her as she was jogging with her 3-year-old daughter (who is unharmed). A fund has been set up for her daughter. She was 33, R.I.P. If you can contribute to the fund, please do so. If all you can do is contribute your thoughts and/or prayers, then please do so. Derby itself is a family, and it always stings to lose one of our own. Moxie, you will be missed.

Stay safe out there derby nation,

Thurston Gore!

p.s. I know it’s not derby, but I saw Sunny Day Real Estate in Tacoma this week! Feel free to check out my review here at Ear Candy!