Newcastle Roller Girls made a strong statement in their opening game of the season, and showed that their win over Rainy City Roller Girls last season was no fluke after a disappointing rematch.
NRG won the game 231-81, not bad for being predicted by the tournament organisers UKRDA (UK Roller Derby Association) to lose to opponents Manchester Roller Derby!
Taking place in Manchester Academy, an unusual venue for a sporting event, the hosts definitely set the bar for the rest of the teams in tier 2, UKRDA National North in the British Championships, with a brilliantly organised event and a great crowd turnout.
That very decisive win by Newcastle’s travel team the Canny Belters puts them top of their division after the first two games, with the league table now looking like this:
Canny Belters bench coach Dark Matter (Matthew Garfitt) who is a primary jammer and trainer for NRG’s brother league Tyne and Fear said: “We’ve set the standard high for this year and I see us taking this momentum into the next game, which is against Hot Wheel Roller Derby from West Yorkshire, in Leeds on the 28th February.”
After such a fantastic outcome, NRG have moved up two places in the UKRDA rankings to 11th place, and moved up four in the European Flat Track Stats from 27th to 23. Manchester Roller Derby will drop down four places to 22nd.
Newcastle’s head coach Kalamity James (Kerri James) said: “NRG have been working on some new strategies over the last month, and with a renewed focus after off season, set out to make a statement. I’m thrilled that every single team member’s hard work paid off, and we won’t be slacking off as we have history with Hot Wheel Roller Derby, having played them three times previously. Most recently in April 2014, we’ve lost two out of our three match ups against them, so we’ll be looking to make that two all! We had the chance to watch them play against Nottingham’s Hellfire Harlots in the game before we played MRD, so we know what we’re up against. Hot Wheel are 7th in the UKRDA rankings, but lost out to Hellfire Harlots who are ranked 14th in UKRDA, so our division has been very unpredictable so far! We won’t be underestimating any of the teams that’s for sure.”
Awards for the game went to:
• Best take out – Missy Pow Pow (Marie Roberts)
• Best blocker – Gin and Sonic (Helen Drew)
• Best jammer – Sly
• MVP (most valuable player) – Kalamity James
A big thank you goes out to photographer extraordinaire Jason Ruffell for his amazing photos! Please check out his website www.roller-derby-on-film.co.uk/