The Texas Rollergirls came with a Christmas gift for their final home bout of the year on Saturday. It wasn’t just that Women’s Flat Track Derby Association No. 3 team, the Texecutioners, dominated 16th-ranked Duke City Derby’s traveling Munecas Muertas, but that Lady X returned. Sidelined after a brutal take-down during the still-controversial world championship semifinal against Rat City in September, she strapped the skates back on for a bout that could best be described as a friendly (in all senses of the word.)
The Texecutioners’ domination was almost complete. With a 60 point lead by first period’s end, Austin looked unassailable. With a final score of 158-36, that domination looked like an obliteration. But much of that Duke City 36 came courtesy of 13, the diminutive but effective Katie Chingas. With her long pigtails flying, as jammer she gracefully sliced out some credibility-restoring points.
But for sheer elegance on wheels, no one could surpass the Texecutioners’ Rice Rocket. A fistful of grand slams and her unnerving ability to whistle through the pack like it was vapor proved her remarkable worth as a jammer. It looked less like she found a route and more like the pack deliberately opened up for her to weave through. Similarly, her willingness as a blocker to stick herself in harm’s way proved swiftness can balance out strength or size.
Not that size and strength didn’t play a role: the always-impressive Derringer would have controlled the pack, if it hadn’t been for the dominating presence of the Muertas’ Miss E. Vil.
There was a moral high to the night. Even though the huge Texecutioners lead meant it wasn’t the highest drama bout, both teams exhibited as much skill as class. Major penalties were rare, and even though Duke City found itself point-free jam after jam, they showed no frustration (except when their own Betty Blastoff missed that she had been benched for a penalty and had to take another spin round the circuit, wasting useful seconds.)
With the 2007 home season over (there’s still a bout with Dallas Derby Devils in Grand Prairie next Saturday, then a quick flit to Mesquite to face Assassination City on Sunday), TXRG now looks beyond the new year. With it comes a new-look traveling team. Olivia Shootin’ John comes up from the Honky Tonk Heartbreakers, to be joined by three names from the Hotrod Honeys: Vicious Van Go Go, Morphine, and Miso Fresh. How this injection of fresh talent alters the veteran Texecutioners could make for a fascinating season.
This article appears in November 30 • 2007.
