Bout Score:

Mid Michigan Derby Girls– 71

Thames Fatales - 169

[pictured left: The pack!]

Game Notes:

This was the second match-up between these two teams. In their first meeting last year Mid Michigan visited London, Ontario to play the in the Fatales' season finally, while it was Mid Michigan's road opener. For this meeting the season timing was reversed, as it was one of Mid Michigan's last games of their season while it was the Fatales' road opener. Would the Fatales have track rust from the cold and snowy off season in Canada?

Skateland Arena in Mount Morris was buzzing with excitement as the home fans piled in. Mid Michigan had successful wins over the Mitten Mavens and Flint City Derby Girls this season and are a WFTDA apprentice. The players of Mid Michigan had the height and muscle advantage in this match over the compact and quick Thames Fatales. This was going to be a classic David versus Goliath clash that we also witnessed the last time these two met.

[pictured right: The speedy jammer Killson racing to score some Fatales points]

Right of the bat the Fatales established pack pacing control to allow two of their fastest jammers, Killson and TamaHawk, to burst through for big point gains and an early demanding lead.

Michigan jammers Teddy Bear and Misty motorboatin' had a decent couple of lead jams for Mid Michigan but seemed to get overused and fatigued as the half went on. To give Teddy Bear and Misty motorboatin' a rest MMDG placed the jammer panty on pack regulars Mariah Scurry, Ida Slam'd Her, and Valetta Vendetta. However, no matter which Michigan jammer came in the Fatales kept the speed up and were relentless with holding on to pack pacing control.

[pictured right: Intense hitting in the pack results in many explosions!]

Within the pack, many battles were won and lost by both sides. The muscular power of Mid Michigan's Kay Otic and Rita Taliate laid out Fatales that weren't able to dodge their heat. The Michigan home crowd roared when Anya-Face was victimized by a couple of MMDG's massive hits. Two Fatales' blockers that Mid Michigan had a tough time strong arming was Slacker Smacker and Dollface Massacre.

[pictured left: Mid Michigan jammer Misty motorboatin' tries to get by Backally Sally]

The Fatales countered Mid Michigan's power and size in the pack with their speed and adjility. An example of this is the play of Sufferjet. Sufferjet was the most compact player on the track, she quickly would weave and shifted gears up and down the pack order taking Michigan blockers off their feet with timed booty blocks and center-of-gravity shots.

[pictured right: Ida Slam'd Her the powerhouse jammer for Mid Michigan]

Near the end of the first half Mid Michigan's blockers began to fall victom to traps. The Fatales claimed Heidi HoNoUpint as their first 'trap the goat' victim which through a wrench into any last minute plans Mid Michigan had to build momentum going into halftime. The buzzer sounded to end the first half with the Fatales up 85 to 37.

The second half began with the Fatales adopting a strategy they had success with the last time they faced Mid Michigan, creating no-pack situations. Mid Michigan was caught off guard by the same tricks again and could not adjust.

[pictured left: Mid Michigan blocker Betty KrackHer attempts to slow down CommieKaze]

With the Fatales creating no-pack situations and 'trapping the goat' even more in the this half it allowed the speed of Killson, Tomahawk, and CommieKaze to take full advantage of the Mid Michigan blockers. Mid Michigan could not recover nor make the bout close unfortunately, the time ticked down with the final score 169 to 71.

Mid Michigan improved a lot and has every reason to hold their heads up high. They show better signs of conditioning and have a great starting base at the jammer position with Teddy Bear and Misty motorboatin'. They are very strong and have the size advantage in the pack, they just have to develop strategies and learn how to react to situations.

Meanwhile, the Thames Fatales picked up right where they left off last season, "winning"! They were out sized, out numbered, and missing key players such as Mirambo and Piepshow but still found a way to dominate. The Fatales are headed to the Beast of the East in Montreal next and hopefully we can see a Gore Gore roller girls vs. Thames Fatales dream match take place this year.

[pictured right: Fatales jammer Tamahawk attempts to weave through Kay Otic and Betty KrackHer]

I'm looking forward to seeing another Mid Michigan vs. Thames Fatales match up in the future. I have a feeling that Mid Michigan Derby Girls will give us some OMG derby moments in the future.

Have a great day roller derby fans! And remember that, just like CommieKaze displays on her uniform shorts, we all have a little bit of "TIGER BLOOD" rushing trough us. Peace out folks!!

[pictured left: CommieKaze had TIGER BLOOD running loose in this bout, her ass-o-gram printed by Hot Across Bunsa says it all!]