The Texas Rollergirls held their championship bout last Sunday at the raucous Playland Skate Center and it more than lived up to the hype. The Hell Marys and the Hotrod Honeys battled for first-place honors while the Hustlers and the Honky Tonk Heartbreakers sought to avoid a last-place finish. The last time the Hell Marys and the Hotrods faced-off the lights went out at Playland and the bout had to be called. For more on that bout, click here. While the weather outside of the skate center Sunday night was no threat, there was plenty of thunder and lightning to be found inside.
The Hotrod Honeys were my pick to win it all going into Sunday’s bout and appeared to have the largest and loudest group of fans in attendance. The HRHs looked hot all season long (in more ways than one) but the Hell Marys have quietly put together a solid season after four consecutive fourth-place finishes. This was definitely the most anticipated bout of the season (as it should be).
The Hell Marys struck first and took an early 7-0 lead behind the solid skating skills of Lady X and Bloody Mary. While this bout was always close and competitive, the Hell Marys would go on to win their first league championship with a score of 79-70. But the Hotrods never cried uncle. With the amazingly fast and lithe Rice Rocket, the power-blocking might of superhottie Miso Fresh, and standout play from Cat Tastrophe, Lucille Brawl, and Vicious van GoGo the Honeys managed to bring the score within six points (72-66) with three minutes remaining.
Alas, the clock was not to be on their side as Sparkle Plenty, Buckshot Betty, and the rest of the Hell Marys held on to their slim lead and were deservingly crowned the Texas Rollergirls 2007 season champions.
The other bout of the evening would not prove to be as close and exciting as the HRHs/HMs tilt. The Honky Tonk Heartbreakers had struggled all season long with a roster heavy with rookies. But to their credit, they fought hard and long all year and should be proud of their play despite their losing record. They came out with a tougher look this evening in black shirts and camo shorts, ditching the less-intimidating more-girly outfits they had debuted earlier this season. The uniform change would prove to be a nonfactor as the Hustlers skated to an easy 78-25 victory. The Hustlers’ Dinah-Mite and Barbarella dominated throughout even with the Heartbreakers’ veteran lead jammer Trouble and blocker Strange Brew doing their best (unsuccessfully) to stop the bleeding.
With quite a few retiring skaters and plenty of fresh talent, next year’s season is already looking quite interesting. If you can’t wait till then the Texas Rollergirls will be hosting the 2007 WFTDA championship tournament on Sept. 29 and 30. For more on that national tourney, click here.
Oh yeah, Those Peabodys fucking destroyed during their halftime set. If you’ve not had a chance to check out this power-rocking threepiece, don’t hesitate. See their MySpace page for more.
This article appears in August 3 • 2007.