Cin' on Eight Wheels

The Cincinnati Rollergirls are sending their Black Sheep to Austin this weekend. But the Texas Rollergirls travel team, the Texecutioners, is planning to send them back to Ohio black and blue.

It's a big bout for the Texies. Not only does the 2011 Texies roster (one heavy on the Honky Tonk Heartbreakers and Hustlers) get their first hometown outing, but it will also be the first time they host an out-of-town league since moving to the Austin Convention Center.

For the new crowds attending TRXG games, a quick lesson: This will be a Women's Flat Track Derby Association interleague bout, meaning that it will be two 30 minute periods, rather than the normal two 20 minute periods for a home game.

The teams are the all-star lineups, featuring the best each league has to offer. Cincinnati is currently ranked fourth in WFTDA's North Central region, while the Texecutioners stand second in South Central, so this will be a competitive bout. With both leagues looking to improve their standings in the run-up to regionals later this year, there will be no quarter given.

Not that the rest of the Texas roster will be sat in the stands. Straight after the big bout there will be a 30 minute pick-up exhibition games. The red-and-khaki Heathers will be taking on the Ramonas in yellow and denim in a bragging rights bout.

For the Black Sheep fans that cannot make it, the whole event will be covered via Derby News Network. The current plan is for a textcast, moderated by rookie Hustler Beck Wise and the Hotrod Honey's multimedia maven (and former Chronicle intern) Vargas Grrl. However, the league is working on setting up live streaming video. Courtesy of Hell Mary's rookie Bexcalibur, there will also be live updates via the Texas Rollergirls' Twitter feed (@TXRollergirls) and via their Facebook page.

Texecutioners versus the Cincinnati Black Sheep, 5pm, April 17 (4pm doors). $15; $12, advance; free, kids under 12. Austin Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar Chavez. First 300 guests receive complimentary thundersticks. Tickets available now and on the door.