This weekend Imogen (my daughter) and I were down in Birmingham for the Men’s European Roller Derby Championship. The Skateful Dead had been ranked 15th of the 16 teams playing.
We arrived late Friday evening and caught up with the rest of the team – all buzzing about the weekend. Saturday we had an early start; alarm set for 6am so that we could get to the stadium and prepare. Our first bout, of 30 minutes, was at 10.15. We’d be playing the Quad Guards, ranked 2nd of the 16 playing! At probably 9.30 we started kitting up. I was nervous, as I’m sure were the rest of the team. It was only when I asked what time we were on track that I was told I wouldn’t be playing in the first bout. Rather late to be told, but no harm done. The arrangement was a bout each for Tony and I, so I’d be playing later. Fair do.
I had my camera with me, so I got on with my other hobby. The team played well and managed 18 to 176 for Quad Guards. Our next bout was at 4.30, so that gave us all some time to chill out and watch others play.
Then, mid afternoon, the decision was made to play the same line-up in the second bout as was played for the first. The French were playing hard, there was perhaps a chance we could win and I was still carrying an injury. Of the 15 playing for the Dead (which included 4 guest skaters) I was the weakest player. I wasn’t best pleased, obviously, but I wanted the team to do well and didn’t dispute the decision. It was a hard bout which Kamiquadz took with 147 against 82.
The rest of the weekend was filled with watching awesome derby being played by awesome teams. I took lots of photos, 1,413 to be precise, which should be available on Flickr very soon. I’m dead chuffed that Andy “Slam C Nesbit” got recognition for his awesome blocking skills!
With the Euros behind us, I will be taking some time off skates until I’m 100 per cent injury free. It’s been six weeks now, a break is required!