WA’s first ever interstate bout, Across the Skate Divide was a hit with more than 1000 roller derby fans. Hosted by your very own WA Roller Derby (WARD) the bout against Melbourne’s South Sea Roller Derby (SSRD) kept the sold out crowd cheering with all the hard hits and quick feet fans were promised.

SSRD had a slow start that allowed the local girls to rocket up to 43 points in the first ten jams but the visitors soon found their feet. With a small but loud group of fans in the crowd, the visitors clearly had a ball during the first half and by half time were 84 to WARD’s 51.

Photo: Peter Granheim

The teams went into the second half with no less intensity, even an anxious wait as paramedics carried SSRD blocker Sailor Mouth Sadie off the track with a broken leg did not slow the Melbourne girls’ growing points tally. SSRD jammer Mad Mel Arena dominated over WARD’s blockers and the visitors’ heavy hitters got the better of the fastest local jammers in Swifty Shifty and the ever popular Hot Wheels. However, the crowd did not dismay cheering the girls on whatever the score. Ophelia Terror proved effective in gathering points for WARD and Hot Wheels had a few of her own grand slams.  However, nothing could stop the Melbourne girls and the final score of WARD’s 80 to SSRD 132 reflected a hard fought battle on both sides.

Blocker The Flyin’ Nun Chucker was named Most Valued Player for SSRD and Taye Q Down was WARD’s stand out performer. In a first for WA Roller Derby, Team Zebra representative Ezy Peazy was named Most Valued Ref. The bout was a rollicking first for the local roller derby scene and the Perth skaters look forward to meeting SSRD on the track again soon.

Photo: Peter Granheim