Last time we rocked out with the rollergirls our local lasses got lashed by the Glasgow Irn Bruisers. They bounced back in Midsummer Night's Scream against the Royal Windsor Roller Girls but generously admit that those broads are still newbies. This Saturday's Great Brawls of Fire bout, however, was a true test of both sides. Our London Rockin' Rollers have clashed with the Stuttgart Valley Rollergirls in Germany twice before. With the score 1-all this was a decider with the golden boot at stake. Considering each other sister teams, they were evenly matched in the flair and glamour stakes as well as on the track - their respective uniforms clashing finely: our Rockin' Rollers in blood red, the Stuttgart challengers in hot pink.
It's a spectacular sport in every sense, from the drama of the racing, jostling, ducking and diving rollergirls to their passionate supporters in every shade of rock and roll: from psychobilly to cybergoth, punk to burlesque. It's a sport that's all about attitude, and the rollergirls have it in spades. This thrillingly close match came to an edge of the seat, mind the rollergirl flying into your lap, nail biting finish. With 20 minutes to go local captain Jack Attack pulls off an audacious 12 points, fighting through the pack an amazing 3 times to bring the Rockin' Rollers level with the Stuttgart counterparts after trailing since the start.
The crowd goes wild as the London ladies slip into the lead with just 10 minutes to go. As both teams push themselves to the limit, girls start crashing out and it's down on one knee out of respect for the fallen as they work out what's broken, bruised or twisted. Thankfully, no one's badly hurt and our home team rock to victory, taking the golden boot in a Hollywood style finish. Then it's celebratory laps for all involved and high fives with the spectators as the Rockin' Rollers celebrate to a fittingly valedictory soundtrack of "I Love Rock n Roll".
Photography by Suke Driver. Follow the bout next time on Twitter.
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