NRG North Cs vs York Minxters - Bout Summary

For the first time ever the Minxters decided that we would travel in convoy to the venue, we met at a healthy golden arched restaurant – awaited the late strays and then set off. Trying to stay in convoy on a 2 hour journey is difficult – as is 14 women holding their bladder that long. But we managed to communicate via messenger and dubious gestures to pull over for a group toilet trip, I don’t think that service station’s staff will ever quite recover.    

​We arrived, we got ready, we all did our varying rituals (again a lot of time spent in the toilet). With three new players who had recently passed minimum skills the atmosphere was surprisingly calm. We even had time to put our standard war paint on. We were ready!  

​A few of our Fresh Meat had also made the journey and were watching us in the stands, for most of them this was the first scrim they had ever watched. It was lovely being at an away game with some supporters to cheer us on! Next time we will get some Minxters coloured pompoms. 

The game started with lead jammer status for the Newcastle North C’s – but ended with a larger point score from our Jammer Lethal Force #56 putting us in the lead. Kiss my Arsenault #221b threw some big hits making her a force to be reckoned with on track with the North C’s realising they needed to hold her back. The first half continued with many lead changes – we were evenly matched and Jammers had to work for every point with Chariz’ard #25 and Troubelina #247 our newer skates blasting through the pack and scoring like they had been doing it a lifetime and Woolley Mammouth #98 using quick steps to find gaps and score on the C’s. At the end of the first half the score was 104 North C’s and 108 York Minxters. It was close and we had worked hard to get that lead with a massive 20 point scoring jam from Fletch #85.

 The second half started with an instant double penalty and foul out from Captain Gem O’cide #84 who was able to sit in the stands and explain the rules to the Fresh Meat and scream at the team from the sidelines!
There was some beautiful positional blocking from Boba Threat #13 and one of our newest skaters Pandora Monium #38  who held jammers and saved us some point differentials.  ​

With a high amount of penalties it was interesting watching how both sides dealt with low numbers on track. The floor was a test to all the Minxters and it took some time to get to grips with it (ba-boom-cha!). Mother Clucker #17 was able to pull her signature move with great success and gave the Minxters chance to wall reform. Ebor Whack’em #71AD and Emrah #39 held the inside lane but the North C’s jammers were strong and agile and they quickly pushed through our walls and ended the game with a massive 250 to 149 to the North C’s.

At the end we managed to catch up with the lovely North C’s Captain:
Did you have a strategy going into the game?
We had a strategy to defend at the beginning and see how we got on. Keeping the jammer back was the objective! Then switch to offence if we needed to.
Would you do anything different? Don’t think so.. It was good at the beginning as it was holding well, but the second half was better, we became more focused. We have been working so hard on wall reforming as that was something we had realised we needed to work on since our prior game. So we have worked on that strategy. That was the main objective.
What was your favourite moment? There was a couple where I used my arse so well! And I held a block.  There was a scary moment where I was the only blocker!

Interview with Captain Gemocide of York Minxters:
Did you have a strategy going into the game?
Yes, we have had the summer off to work on our three walls, and the objective of the end of the year games is to Win or Learn – but mainly learn! We are trying to work out who works well together, what positions people prefer and hammer home the three walls.
Would you do anything different?
Not foul out!! ;) Hopefully that will be the one and only time it happens and I tried to find the silver lining as I got to sit with our lovely fresh meat! But apart from that.. No.. I think we have lots to learn as a team and scrimming with a team that challenges us is the best way to learn.
What was your favourite moment?
Watching our three newer skaters absolutely smash it. Noone could tell that was their first game. They made me so proud! And of course the massive jam score from Fletch!

The Awards went to::
Best Jammer: Fletch #85
Best Blocker: Bobo Threat #13
Most Valuable Player: Kiss my Arsenault #221b

​We finished the night with food and drink with most people managing to come out! Not much can be remembered by anyone, much dancing was had and dehydration was the story of the day after. 

A huge thank you to Newcastle Roller Girls for having us, and to all the Refs, officials and everyone involved who helped the day run so smoothly!