Well before the first whistle, Saturday’s bout at the Armory between the DC DemonCats and Scare Force One promised plenty. After the first two bouts of the D.C. Rollergirls’ fifth season, these two teams each held 1-0 records. What’s more, SF1 and DCDC have split the first four championship titles.

The crowd warmed up for the main act with a closely fought expo bout featuring Santas versus Grinches (each team was a grab bag of Cherry Blossom Bombshells, D.C. All-Stars and “meat locker” skaters). The green-clad Grinches managed to steal the win from the ladies in red.