T-Birds roll to victory
T-Birds win Durban Derby's first ever Roller Derby bout in adrenaline packed match.
INTENSITY, passion, physical and amazing were just some the words used to describe the first Roller Derby event held at Hillcrest Primary School recently.
The Grease themed event between T-birds and the Pink Ladies was the Durban Derby’s first bout. The Birds lead at half time by 146 to 102 and despite an extremely tough second half, the T-birds who had let consistently from the start, won 241-224.
Best Jammer went to Nikki Fury (Nikki Howard) of the T-birds, Best Blocker went to Miss Bitchell (Michele Lardant) of the Pink Ladies and Most valuable Player was awarded to the vice captain of the T-Birds Capt’N Crash (Amy Bennett).
Durban North’s Maree Clothier (KickAzz Jackson) from the Pink Ladies said the first bout was a night filled with lots of nerves, excitement and adrenalin.
“Everything ran smoothly except for a very slippery track due to the dew and humidity but that made it even more exciting.
“The Pink Ladies game play was to keep calm and have fun and although we lost we weren’t disappointed. The final score was very close after our half time team chat in the change rooms we agreed that we need to dump the nerves and up our game, which we did. Both teams were tired but I can confidently say that the Pink Ladies had some fit players and we managed to use that to our advantage and close the gap,” she said.
Szerdi Nagy (Julia Seize-Her), one of the main organisers of the league and T-Birds player thanked all those who supported the first bout.
“The event sold out completely which surpassed our expectations. We were delighted how involved the crowd got and how brilliantly they supported the girls. There were posters made and incredible cheering which I know pushed the girls to skate just that little bit harder,” she enthused.
She added the team were ecstatic with the win.
“The Pink Ladies were a physically stronger and fitter and we went in with the strategy of conceding as few penalties to them as possible.
”Our strategy worked. Playing smart derby and working as a team and getting as many points as possible early on before their superior fitness kicked in really worked for us and we were really lucky with the outcome. That being said, it was by no means an easy game and by the end we felt like we had competed against an amazing, strong group of women,” she said.
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