Hotrod Honeys Victorious, Hustler Heads High

Photo by Richard Whittaker

What a difference a month makes.

If the numbers were the only measure, the Hustlers' 102-19 defeat at the wheels of the Hotrod Honeys at April's Texas Rollergirls bout doesn't seem like much of a change from their season-opening loss to the Honky Tonk Heartbreakers. But the difference between the Hustlers then and the Hustlers now is on the track, not the scoreboard (after all, when the Honeys' Rice Rocket can pull 15 points out on a single jam, it's hard to not face a high score.)

The rookie-heavy squad seemed a lot more cohesive, the pack a lot less gappy, and the Honeys had to use some really canny and strategic lead jammer calls to keep the Hustlers from racking up a higher score. Kansas City transfer Fearlys is quickly turning out to be recruit of the year, while rookie Das-It showed admirable fortitude by getting back in the pack after a tough tumble. There were still a few glitches, with a lot of silver-and-purple in the penalty box, but the potential is undoubtedly there.

Visitors the Tornado Alley Rollergirls from Oklahoma City seemed to know they were facing an uphill struggle when they lined up with the Honky Tonk Heartbreakers. In the first half, they seemed almost reticent to engage. While the blocking was solid (to say the least), it took five jams for their first lead jammer status, and seven to put any points up, courtesy of Anomilie and 9 Killameter respectively. There was even a botched lineup, leaving them briefly without a jammer on the track. Ending the half down 111-17 made it look like an annihilation was in the offing.

But coming back from the break, the OK girls seemed much more relaxed, a lot faster, and a lot more capable of holding the Heartbreakers back. 9 Killameter in particular seemed to find a new gear, and there were a couple of jams where the Heartbreakers seemed caught off-guard by her turn of speed. Didn't stop them from coming out 159-51, but if this is what Tornado Alley can manage in only their second season, the signs are good for this sophomore league.