The Sunshine Coast Roller Girls (SCRG) Red Tide Warning took on Campbell River’s Rink Minx in an adrenaline-fuelled bout that came right down to the wire on May 14 at the Sechelt Arena.
The Rink Minx jumped ahead in points at the beginning of the second half and managed to hold on to their lead for the rest of the bout, despite a ferocious effort from the Red Tide Warning.
Red Tide jammer Karin Apolzer – or Skiddoll as she’s known on the track – did her best to close the point gap in the last few minutes, but the SCRG finished just 10 points shy of a victory.
Apolzer was in good spirits after the bout, and commended the Rink Minx on their win.
“These girls that we play from the Island are some of our best buds in roller derby,” Apolzer said. “So it’s always great when they come over.”
Rita Asfar – also known as Chicken Wing – is a rookie on the team this year; this was her first roller derby bout ever.
“It was great, a lot of adrenaline. I definitely felt out of control but it was really fun,” Asfar said. “Next time I’ll probably try to be a little more controlled and keep my elbows in. Try not to hit people so much – illegally.”
Roller derby is played on an oval track with two teams of five players that consist of four blockers and a jammer. The jammer starts at the back of the pack and scores points for every blocker on the opposing team that she passes. Blockers have to keep the opposing team’s jammer from getting through while at the same time trying to get their jammer to the front.
“I think our blockers did a great job of creating holes for our offence, for sure,” Apolzer said. “And we have been practising the diamond – which is a newer strategy for us – so just perfecting that and really keeping ourselves together. Then I definitely think we’re going to be a force for sure.”
See the sports ticker on page 56 for scores.
Red Tide Warning has another bout scheduled for Saturday, June 25.
Find out more online at www.sunshinecoastrollergirls.ca and check out more photos in our online gallery.
