Gateshead Indoor Sports World was the place to be on Saturday as Newcastle Roller Derby League hosted bout two in season two between the Fort Smashleys and Harbour Hellcats. After a close affair in bout one the Hellcats finally skated away with the spoils in a 101 – 86 win. Would the Smashley’s even the score in bout two or would the Hellcats put season two beyond doubt with another win?

The Hellcats were led out by The Cramp and the Smashley’s by Belt’er Goodrem. According to Belt’er the teams plan their skateouts the day before. The Smashley’s meant business straight from the skateout as they skated out to The Prodigy’s ‘Firestater’ and simulated a scrimmage with skaters popping off hits and weaving through the pack.

Despite their show of strength it was the Hellcats who started off the stronger of the two sides. Booga scored a five point jam in the second jam of the night before Susy Pow stepped up to the jammer line in the next jam. She cleared a massive jump over the first bend to get lead jammer status and went on her way to rack up some quick points and help the Hellcats go out to an early 16 – 2 lead. Susy Pow demonstrated why she got picked for the Australian side in the upcoming World Cup by showing off not just her jamming skills but also her blocking skills as she took out Glitter N. Gore with a great shoulder hit.

Although the Smashley’s Godjilla Sold Separately was not bouting that night she still made her presence felt on the sidelines. Along with Ass N Junk, they let their feelings known when an official time out went on too long, getting both the crowd and her team mates going by starting up the Smashley’s war cry and even yelling out instructions from the sideline mid jam.

The bout was played at such a fast pace that one was left wondering how long both sides would be able to maintain playing at that level. The penalty box wasn’t seeing much action as both sides demonstrated great discipline, but there was no shortage of hits and falls in what was shaping up to be a great encounter.

An interesting battle was forming between Susy Pow and DangeRass in the battle of the jammers. More often than not, the two would line up against each other and would fight for every point with both getting the better of the other throughout the bout.

The Hellcats’ Booga was sent to the penalty box and DangeRass capitalised by scoring a ten point jam to cut the Hellcat’s lead to 37 – 34. The Smashley’s momentum was cut short when Luna Shove Good was sent to the penalty box which left Susy Pow picking up ten points in the jam and extending the Hellcats lead.

The first half ended in carnage with Hippy High Rola appearing to face plant the floor as she hit the ground. Thankfully she got up and made her way off the track unassisted. The Hellcats had their own injury problems with Moxie Dioxide picking up a knock earlier and Booga requiring attention after copping an accidental hit to the head. The first half ended with the Hellcats taking a 58 – 35 lead into the break.

While both the players and crowd alike were catching their breaths from the intense first half, The Pat Capocci combo were providing the half time entertainment. The break allowed the spectators to go up and meet their favourite skaters or do some shopping at the stalls set up.

The second half was a tense affair as the Smashley’s tried clawing back the deficit. DangeRass got the wheels rolling by picking up a quick four points in one of her first jams. Booga then managed to sneak past in the pack and pick up a few extra points as Hippy High Rola called off the jam too late. The Hellcats’ Babycakes then lost a massive chance to extend their lead when she called off the jam as Hippy High Rola made her way to the penalty box.

The Smashley’s Beaver Destruction grabbed lead jammer and a 4 -0 jam thanks to great blocking work from Quirky stopping Babycakes in her tracks. With the Hellcats one player down Beaver Destruction made them pay in her next jam scoring nine points to nil as Booga struggled to try and get through the pack. The Hellcats were leading but the Smashley’s had the momentum until once again Susy Pow stepped up to the jammer line and picked up a quick four points for her side.

Then came the moment that changed the course of the bout, Booga was still in the penalty box as Hippy High Rola stepped up to the jammer line. With excellent support from her blockers she kept getting through the pack like a revolving door as the points clocked up. Booga came back on mid jam but got sent back to the penalty box almost immediately. Hippy looked out on her feet from the massive jam but the crowd spurred her own and as the referee blew the whistle to finish the jam the crowd went crazy when it was announced that Hippy High Rola scored a 27 – 0 point jam which allowed the Smashley’s to hit the lead for the first time in the bout 85 – 80!

The Smashley’s started the next jam like their lives depended on it but the jam was called off due to Booga picking up an injury. With only a few minutes left it may have proved costly as Booga would have to miss the next three jams as per the rules. Susy Pow tried to pick up some points but only managed the one as DangeRass was in close pursuit the entire time.

It all came down to the last jam with only 1:30 left on the clock as DangeRass and Babycakes lined up on the jammer line. The Cramp tried her best to stop DangeRass by laying off some big hits but it was game over when Babycakes got sent to the penalty box leaving DangeRass to score a 15 – 0 point jam and put the result beyond doubt with the final score 100 – 81.

With one win a piece, it sets up a mouth-watering season decider on the 29^th October which you don’t want to miss out on. Tickets should be on sale soon. Check the NRDL website for details.

If you can’t wait until then for some more NRDL action, their travelling team the Newcastle Dockyard Dames will be taking on the Adelaide Roller Derby: Adeladies at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre this Saturday in what should be another high quality, hard hitting account. Belt’er told RDAU ‘We’ll give 100% and not hold anything back’. Tickets are available through Ticketek but get in quick.

Special thanks to Sylv Klobucar. Check out Sylv’s blog: http://klobutruck.blogspot.com/

All Photos by Nick Nav Sullivan.