For the second time in the young season of St Joe’s new Roller Derby franchise, hundreds turned out to Civic Arena Saturday night.

Both St Joe teams lost, but judging from the attendance, the applause, and the sales of t-shirts, the evening was not a disappointment.

Exact numbers were not available Sunday, but organizers said about 800 people turned out.  Last month, the Blacksnake Roller Girls’ debut drew about 1,500 people.

One player, “Knuckles McGee,” was injured Saturday night by what appeared to be an illegal elbow check.  She suffered a broken rib and was taken to Heartland Regional Medical Center for treatment.

For Saturday’s installment, the Blacksnake Roller Girls were split into two teams, the Jesse Janes and the Venemous Vixens.  They faced two teams from Kansas City.

In the first game, the Shotgun Shelias beat the Jesse Janes 166-45.  The second matchup was closer, but the Venemous Vixens wound up losing to the Royals Pains, 121-79.

 

Liz Manley, president and founder of the Blacksnake Roller Girls organization in St Joseph, says they’re still a young squad, and are still learning the game’s strategy.

“They have had a lot of experience over us,” Manley said of the Kansas City squads.  “This is pretty much our second game and our first game being split into teams, they have a lot more experience on strategy and we don’t.”

“I’m pretty happy that we did as well as we did, honestly.”

Manley says they are still looking for a practice space for the teams.

“Right now we’re at Bode Ice Arena, while they have the ice off for the summer, but we haven’t found a home yet,” she said.

Another pair of matches is scheduled July 14 at St. Joseph Civic Arena.

(Photographs courtesy of Will Corlett of Will C Photography)