Ruakaka blocker Mania Bates (yellow helmet) clears a path for Whangarei jammer Tyana Hansen (left with star on helmet) as the Hamilton wall crumbles.
A win on home soil has sent the Northland roller derby fraternity into a frenzy after their Hell's Wives team held off a stiff challenge from Hamilton's Raggedy Angst to win 146-113 at ASB Stadium.
With the first jam being indicative of the intense pace of the rest of the
game, both sides fought hard through the opening half.
Hamilton jammer Shanonaymous was sent to the box for cutting behind the start line and, as a result, Hell's Wives' jammer Tyana Hansen powered through for a quick four points. With a combination of solid defence, pinpoint offence and consistent jamming, the points racked up for Hell's Wives as they rolled into the half-time break ahead, 106-53.
Raggedy Angst came out fighting and pulled back a good 40 points courtesy of their key jammers, with the help of a rejuvenated line of defence from their blockers. The scoreline crept up and, at one point, Raggedy Angst were within 20 points, much to the excitement of the Hamilton fans in the crowd, but time was on Hell's Wives side as they stretched ahead in the final few jams to take the win 146-113.
"As coach and captain I am extremely proud of the girls and how hard they have trained this year," Northland Nightmare's captain and coach Wendy Baird said. "We made a few changes to our game play three weeks ago and on Saturday night we achieved everything we have worked hard for.
