We are the champions

After turning away rabid action-seekers all season, the Brewcity Bruisers moved downtown for the 2010 Championship, filling the US Cellular Arena with a rumored (we’re still waiting for the official number) 2600+ screaming (and drinking—word is that many of the concession stands ran out of beer) fans. While the Bruisers didn’t quite reach their target of setting the modern indoor derby attendance record of 5,703 (set by Seattle’s Rat City Rollers), it was still a history-making night for the four-year-old league.

In the opening grudge match, the Crazy 8s attempted to avoid a winless season by salvaging a victory against 2-2 Maiden Milwaukee. During the first half, it seemed like it might happen—the ninjas came out fired up and rolled to a halftime lead on the basis of strong jams by rookie Zo-Tay and team captain Kat Scratch Fever. However, Maidens bench manager Beelzebelle went into their halftime break determined to fire up her girls, and the result was a furious rally that ended in heartbreak for the Crazy 8s—an 88-80 Maidens victory that sent Brew City’s working class heroines to a 3-2 finish, but sent the 8s to the 0-5 abyss.

Referee Machete Holiday informed the announcers that every championship bout in BCB history had been decided by eight points or less, and for the majority of the Rushin’ Rollettes/Shevil Knevils tilt, it looked as if the trend would continue. The Rollettes rallied from an early 21-point deficit to take a lead that switched back and forth numerous times before the scintillating Socialists pulled ahead for good during the final moments to clinch their third championship, 78-59. While the story for the Rollettes most of the year has been their high-octane offense (led by scoring hurricane Rhoda Ruin), the championship bout was a defensive affair. Pound Anya had perhaps her best bout of the season for the red and camouflage, effectively shutting down Shevils jammer Femeldehyde nearly every time she donned the star.

Check out the action-packed photo gallery from our friend William Thomas (covar152 on flickr), and don’t forget—the derby action doesn’t end just because the home season is over. Head back to the Milwaukee County Sports Complex on May 22 and 23 for the invitational Midwest Brewhaha! Nearly 20 teams affiliated with the Womens’ Flat Track Derby Association and other leagues from across the United States and Canada will descend on Ryan Road in Franklin, WI to face off in 20 hard-hitting inter-league bouts. It’s a rare opportunity to see what the rest of North American roller derby has to offer, right in our own backyard! Don’t miss it.

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