Last week’s Summer Smackdown roller derby bout was a gruelling challenge for Terrace’s short-rostered North Coast Nightmares who quashed the larger Rated PG b-team 247-171 which was a season high for points.
Though temperatures had cooled outside for what was the final bout of the year, the inside of the Hidber Arena was still steamy, and by late in the bout, hands slipped from shoulders, fouls prevailed and the competition became admittedly sloppy.
After a strong first, the Nightmares entered the second half 134-53, but PG rapidly gained points as their opponents tired out.
Still, the Nightmares fought to keep their lead and, despite some hard hits, finished the match with an emphatic victory.
“PG does do good offence and it tripped us up for a little while in the first half and then we were able to handle it until fatigue set in in the second half,” said the Nightmares coach Chris “Skimo” Thomas.
Terrace played the bout with only nine players as opposed to the usual 14.
“We played with a very short roster - PG had 12 [players] and they took advantage of that,” said Thomas.
Thomas noted that Terrace has been working on their defence since the regional tournament in Richmond last month and that contributed to their win.
“We have been working really hard on our defence and it paid off,” Thomas explained.
“Also Dream Warrior (Tarea Roberge) has been asking to play offence all season and we finally let her do what she’s best at,” said Thomas.
Thomas commended rookie Comet Crush’her (Laura Haley) for her courageous play.
“She has no fear, she gets right in there and gets full contact. There was a point in the game were I saw her push almost the whole other team off track at once taking one of our players with them,” he said.
Kasey Lewis, a.k.a. “Jugless” also stood out.
“Jugless [Kasey Lewis], she is one of our jammers, she had struggled at the beginning of the year with the penalties, but in this bout she was very aware of the track and was able to avoid those penalties even when people forced her into them,” he explained.
Thomas said they have been working on keeping their offensive plays strong even while they focus on their defence.
“To get to the next level of play, we have to be able to deal with other teams that are capable of [strong defence and offence],” he said.
This was also the first game for the newest referee Terra Nord who had previously played on the team until she sustained a knee injury last year.
“Anyone who wants to challenge themselves physically but doesn’t want the full contact portion that comes with Roller Derby should try being a ref,” said Nord. The Nightmares training camp is in October.