A Tale of Two Roller Derbys

The Texas Rollergirls put the home season on hold this week, but that doesn't mean no flat-track roller derby in Austin this May. Instead, it's track time for the travelling Texecutioner all-stars as they face one of the toughest teams from the Women's Flat Track Derby Association uber-competitive Western Region: The Rocky Mountain Rollergirls' 5280 Fight Squad (Saturday, May 11, 6pm). It's the first time Denver's 2010 champs have faced Texas on Lone Star State soil since 2008, when Texas schooled them down in Houston. This year, the No. 5-ranked Texecutioners have real home soil advantage against No. 14 Rocky. It's also their first home bout since they changed the rules, allowing skaters to skip home team commitments and just skate for the Texies. Will it make Austin more competitive by the time regionals roll around? Maybe so, and the opening B-team bout of the Texas Firing Squad versus Rocky's the Contenders will be proving ground for future talent.

If banked track is more to your inclination, then speed to the Palmer Events Center at 6pm, where 2012 Calvello Cup holders the Rhinestone Cowgirls try to defuse the Cherry Bombs. Back in March, the Cowgirls plucked the tail off the Hellcats for a 45-30 victory, so the Bombs will be looking to buck them off their high horse.

Texas Rollergirls v. Rocky Mountain Rollergirls, Austin Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar Chavez. Doors 5pm, first bout 6pm. www.texasrollergirls.org

TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls, Palmer Events Center, 900 Barton Springs. Doors 6pm, whistle 7pm. www.txrd.com.