“We’ve been losing so many years that we were kind of used to it,” said Hookers’ co-captain Miranda Slambert. “After five-plus years, I think we have finally found our teamwork.”

Heavy Metal Hookers' Miss Fortune #99, The Cycrone! #63, and Heavy Flo #527 work together to hold back the Broad Street Butchers' jammer, Devoida Mercy #247.

It couldn’t come at a better time as the Hookers appear to be peaking as the playoffs approach.

They proved it on Saturday by displaying their best defensive performance of the year against the Butchers, who they will meet in the Warrior Cup championship in three months. While only allowing 67 points, the Hookers rolled out 11 different jammers who all scored at least four points in the victory.

Goldy led the way with 48 points. Fifteen of those points came when the star was strategically passed from teammate Copper Top during a power jam in the second half.

“We have a lot of depth on our team,” Goldy said. “I thought everyone stepped up and I’m so proud of the way we played. It was a great team win and that doesn’t always happen.”

The Hookers took the first 21 points of the bout before Shenita Stretcher was able to win a minimal 4-3 jam for the Butchers. The Butchers were held to five total points through the first 17 jams, which ate up the first 22 minutes of the bout.

By then, the Hookers had built a 58-point lead and were in complete control.

“Our blocking was really dynamic,” said Miranda Slambert, who received MVP honors in the bout. “We constantly had faith and believed in our blockers no matter who was jamming.”

The Hookers carried an 84-19 lead and a wealth of confidence into the locker room. The In the second half, Butchers were able to piece together an 18-1 rally which included a 14-point power jam by their bout MVP Antidote to cut the lead to 115-41. But the Hookers took small victories in each of the next seven jams, eating up the clock and shutting the door on their rivals.

“The Hookers have progressed really well this season,” said Butchers’ Damage Dahl. “They have been working really hard and getting better with each bout.”

Damage said she wasn’t disappointed in her team’s performance, but said the Butchers know they will have to step up their game if they hope to win their second ever Warrior Cup.

“There will be some serious conversations in our locker rooms,” she said. “No puppy dog faces anymore. We know what we have to focus on to beat them.”

It wasn’t all gloom for Damage Dahl as she pulled double duty on Saturday and helped the Liberty Belles score a convincing 286-103 victory over the D.C. All-Stars. It was the Belles’ fifth straight win in Women’s Flat Track Derby Association sanctioned bouts.

The Belles struck early and often and coasted to their first win at their new home at Temple University’s Liacouras Center.

Damage said the Belles’ were all business in dealing with their foes from the nation’s capital.

“Playing for the Belles, you’re just a cog in the machine,” she said with a smile. “Everyone just does their job. I think we have found what works and we stopped trying too many new things. It’s not early in the season anymore and you have to have tunnel vision and know what you want.”

Teammate Olivia Face said the Belles began hitting their stride before sweeping the competition at Rollercon in Las Vegas last month.

“I think we have developed really good strategies,” Olivia Face said. “We came out today and wanted to execute our strategies and not worry about any point spreads.”

Though the Belles were heavy favorites coming into the match, the Philly squad knew not to take their opponents lightly. After an uncomfortably close first half, the Belles blasted off in the second half to tilt the scoreboard heavily in their favor.

“We knew they were going to pose a challenge to us,” Olivia Face. “We knew not to take them for granted. We had to really bring it together in the second half.”

Philly Roller Girls return to the Liacouras Center on Saturday, September 8, when the PRG Independence Dolls take on the Columbia (SC) Quad Squad, and the PRG Heavy Metal Hookers face the PRG Philthy Britches. For tickets, click here or get them at the door.

Interested in BEING a Philly Roller Girl?? Click here for information about our September 9th and October 14th workshops prior to our (one time a year only) try outs on November 11th! :)