York Minxters vs SSRG Crucibelles

Photo courtesy Dan Turner

With two teams fielding a mix of veteran and fresh skaters, the game between York Minxters and SSRG's Crucibelles was destined to be a nail-biting bout. Onlookers were not disappointed, as the first half kicked off with some big hits from Hylander and quick-footed jamming from the Crucibelles. Power jams on both sides made for tense viewing, with Crucibelles taking a jukey approach and Minxters using force. With strong walls and fierce jamming, the Minxters took an early lead of 19-11, yet were quickly overtaken by the Crucibelles, for a closing first half score of 69–115 to Sheffield.

Big hits from Minxters jammer Fox. Photo courtesy Dan Turner

After a quick half time break, the Minxters came back aggressively, with both Lethal Fawce and Fox powering through walls. The Crucibelles suffered one or two brutal hits from Fox, and the audience was treated to showmanship from both teams, with two fine apex jumps – one from each side – performed in quick succession by a pair of daring jammers. With great energy the Minxters narrowed the wide gap left at the end of the first half, eventually succumbing to a final score of 150-174 in favour of SSRG's Crucibelles.


After time to mix the teams up for a friendly post-bout scrim, we caught up with our team Captains to see how they got on.


SSRG Crucibelles Captain (Alpha Betty)


Q: Congratulations! Did you have a strategy going in to the bout?

A: Not hugely! Since we have a mix of old and new skaters, we really just wanted to put what we've been doing in training to work, and have some fun. I think it went pretty well!


Q: Great! Is there anything you would have done differently?

A: I'm happy with how things worked out – we wanted to make sure everyone got equal track time, especially with the new skaters – build some of their confidence, I guess – everyone had a lovely time, so I think we achieved that.


Q: And it was great to watch! Do you have any favourite moments?

A: Ooh! Slight skate-nesia here … I guess, just seeing everyone out there, doing what we do – doing 'the thing', as we call it. Just working together – that was really nice to see.



York Minxters Captain (Gem O' Cide)


Q: Did you have a strategy going in to the bout?

A: No! No, we didn't have a strategy at all, because it was more informal and fun. Our plan was to get to know each other as a team, and start learning how to work with each other, who works well together – I think we achieved that.


Q: Good to hear! Is there anything you would have done differently?

A: The only thing we maybe could have done differently is to keep playing as a team, but I think it was nice, especially for the newer players, to have that mixed scrim at the end – sometimes you will be put in a mixed team, of skaters you don't know, and that was a good place to learn how that feels, because Sheffield are just lovely.


Q: We're used to your answers on this one involving bums, so dare we ask – do you have any favourite moments?

A: Tanya [Lethal Fawce], coming round twice on that inside line – beautiful, just beautiful. Ooh, and Bentham [Big Guns Bentham] doing that apex jump, where I thought she was going to fall, but she didn't.

Thanks to our skaters, refs, NSOs, bench and line-up teams and spectators for coming out to support us!

Awards
Minxters Best Blocker – Hylander
Minxters Best Jammer – Fox
Minxters MVP – Lethal Fawce

Crucibelles Best Blocker – Pulp Bitchin'
Crucibelles Best Jammer – Rora
Crucibelles MVP – Rage Against the Machina