5 x 5 : 5th Blocker's 5th Birthday event! 19.11.16

It feels like it's been there forever but, if it were a person, it would just be starting school and would probably still need help tying its shoelaces. 5th Blocker Skates, run by our very own Marshall Lawless, came into being at the end of 2011 and is celebrating its 5th birthday in style this coming weekend!

Haberbashery & Marshall Lawless on the 5th Blocker steps waaaaaaay back at the start.

This Saturday, skaters from all over will be converging on the Arc in Glasgow for a day of scrimmages, followed by a karaoke party at Garnethill Multicultural Centre in the evening. There will be PRIZES and stalls, including a 5th Blocker one featuring sizing stock from many suppliers. For more details check out the event page here.

A Glasgow landmark for roller derby addicts, 5th Blocker also has an online shop for all your quad skate needs here. You can contact them for advice or information on stock, and if you pop into the store there's always someone on hand with knowledgeable advice on all things roller derby. As their leaflet says, you just can't be sad on rollerskates!

Stefanie Mainey of London Roller Girls popped in for a visit while she was up to run the GRD bootcamp earlier in the year.

If you've been inspired by all this talk of roller skates, and are looking for something new to do in the New Year, we've set the date for our next Glasgow Roller Recruits new skater intake: 8th January. Get it in your diaries, get those resolutions written, and we'll follow up sooooon with more information!

Game Preview: Raaaawrs versus kakaaaaws!

It's a clash of the titans! It's the game to end all games (or at least our Home Teams Season)! It's green versus red, prehistoric versus supernatural, dinos versus crows, raaaawrs versus kakaaaaws.... 

In the green corner: the CHALLENGERS, The T-WRECKS! Headed up this year by captains Shona Mercy and Jeneral Strike, the green machines have had a stellar season winning against both other Home Teams in the tournament with a healthy score of 220-135 against the Bad Omens in June. This reporter caught up with fellow blogsmith and diehard dino Puma Thurman to discuss the Wrecks' chances of making mincemeat out of the opposition on Saturday:

There have been some changes in the squad since the first HT event this year, most notably the absence of our beloved co-captain Strike (off hopping around Europe as we speak)! But we've got determination, a good influx of new blood and momentum behind us. We may have tiny useless arms but that's an advantage for forearms penalties and we've already survived several million years so we're ready to make it three out of three wins and stomp those pesky crows! 

The T-Wrecks after defeating the Death Stars in June. Photo courtesy of Dave McAleavy of Boutday.com.

And in the red corner: the reigning CHAMPS, the BAD OMENS!

Having won five out of six of the previous Home Teams seasons here at Glasgow the buoyant crows are feeling cocky going into this final match up. Fever and Janie Bones have been leading the charge for the Omens this season; Bones had this to say when we asked for a few words before heading into Saturday's showdown:

We had a bit of a shaky start at the beginning of the season with a loss to the Wrecks, but the team have worked hard and smashed our way into the final. We're going to be strong and together and make the T-Wrecks extinct! KAKAW!

The Bad Omens crowing after winning their game against the Death Stars in October. Photo courtesy of Dave McAleavy of Boutday.com.

Two fierce teams. One last match up. Who will win? One thing's for sure, this is a game not to be missed! Tickets are a mere £6 in advance from our events page, or £8 on the door. 

When T-Wrecks met Bad Omens back in June the dinos won the day. But who will take home the trophy in the final?! Photo courtesy of Dave McAleavy of Boutday.com.

Game Report: Maidens vs Blackpool

Janie Bones digs deep to stop Baker's Shovin'.  Photo courtesy of John Jamieson, JaJa Photography. 

Not only did we have the Stefanie Mainey bootcamp this past Sunday but we also hosted an excellent game against Blackpool Roller Coasters on Saturday - what a JAM packed weekend!

Blackpool travelled to us with a handful of guest skaters from their neighbouring leagues to play our all-new Maiden Grrders roster. Both teams were excited to take to the track on Saturday afternoon, and none more so than our newest Maidens: Penny Pinch'er, StarGrazer, Puma Thurman, Bruise Missile and Phylociraptor who all donned their yellow jerseys for the first time.

New Maidens! Image courtesy of Maidens Co-Captain Hadrian's Brawl

Both teams were well matched at the beginning and traded points for the first few jams. The Coasters hit HARD, though the Maidens held their own with great teamwork and offence. Blackpool suffered from several penalties early on and Glasgow started to pull away. By half time the score was GRD 97 - 76 BRD. Despite their hard hits and their jammers' best attempts to juke around the Maidens' walls, a few foul outs reduced Blackpool's chances further and left them with a very short roster. For the last ten minutes they played with just five skaters available to line up! However their spirits stayed high throughout and they fought a great game right to the end.

Final score: GRD 213 - 148 BRD

Awards were given out to stand out players from the game:

Glasgow Best Blocker: Shona Mercy
Glasgow Best Jammer: Kitty Slyde
Glasgow MVP: Bruise Missile

Blackpool Best Blocker: Sally Army
Blackpool Best Jammer: Baker's Shovin'
Blackpool MVP: Fairy Quake

GRD would like to thank all the officials, volunteers and events staff who helped the game happen - we couldn't have done it without you! 

We would also like to thank Blackpool (and guests!) for travelling to play us and for being such excellent opponents. We're already looking forward to a rematch in the future! 

Maidens vs Roller Coasters. Photo courtesy of John Jamieson, JaJa Photography. 

Missed the game? Make sure you don't miss out next time by picking up your tickets for the  Home Teams Season Opener here now! Two games for the low low price of £6 in advance, with all your favourite Glasgow skaters pitting their wits and their wheels against each other. We can't wait for June 18th!