The Belles Settle the Score in Evansville
By Valerie Hurtinelli
The Demolition City Roller Derby of Evansville opened the doors of historic Memorial Coliseum for an April 4 double-header, Two for Flinchin’. Naptown fans toted their “Need More Belles” signs to the Southern Indiana venue and put them to good use as NRG’s B team paid a return visit to the A-team Dynamite Dolls (representing the league that gave the Belles their first and only defeat four months ago at Dismembered December). Having matured as skaters and gelled as a team, the 14-girl roster hit the masonite track with full force, scoring four points to Demo City’s zero in the first jam, and setting a trend for the rest of the bout.
DCRD brought some storied players to the dance-stealthy Hazardous Dooks, speedy Godjilla, and sure-footed Shelby N. Pain on the jammer line, with blocker Clara Plegic forming a one-person wall at the back of the E-ville pack. The Belles answered with a cohesive pack built upon the wisdom of Jen X, the agility of Ana Slays Ya, and the fierce right hip of Psychedelic Sandy. Superstar jams by Blazin’ Ace, Katya Lookin, Racer Xtasy, Ivanna B. Naughty, et al kept Naptown in a comfortable lead during the first period, which ended with a 76-29 score in the Belles’ favor.
Demo City came back after the halftime breather with some fire in its step, delivering some power hits that turned a few of the Belles into projectiles. NRG gave up a few lead jams and had to play smart to contain Shelby and Godjilla nearly every time they wore the star. But they rose to the challenge, playing hard until the final jam and rolling away with a 117 to 52 victory.
