The “Skate of the Union”—D.C. Rollergirls’ hotly contested Championship trophy. (James Calder)

Tomorrow afternoon Scare Force One and the Cherry Blossom Bombshells face off at the D.C. Armory to bring home the Skate of the Union—D.C.’s Championship trophy—and the right to call themselves the top team in D.C. roller derby. These teams last met in a breathlessly close bout in March, and the only sure winners on Saturday will be the folks in the stands watching D.C. derby at its best.

Scare Force One picked up where they left off last season, remaining undefeated for a second consecutive year. As three-time league winners, they take retaining the trophy very seriously indeed. “On May 12, when we walk into the D.C. Armory, there will be nothing else that we could have done to prepare for this bout,” said veteran Scare Force skater and former team captain Condoleezza Slice. “We’ve worked hard all season to prove that we are the best team in D.C. again in Season Six! We’ve trained, prepared, and we expect to win—not because we think we should, but because we know we’ve earned it. We’ve had this goal since the second that last whistle blew at the Season Five Championship.”

Scarlet O’Snap (left) goes shoulder-to-shoulder with Condoleezza
Slice in the Season One Championship bout. (James Calder)

The Cherry Blossom Bombshells have an exciting Championship history of their own. In Season One they met Scare Force in the first-ever DCRG Championship bout, hosted at the Dulles SportsPlex. While the Bombshells didn’t manage to take home the trophy that day, it was a tightly fought contest. In Season Three, the Bombshells saw their share of nail-biters as well, earning themselves another trip to the Championship bout after one of the most exciting moments in league history—a double-overtime playoff victory over Scare Force. Retirements and injuries shifted the Bombshells’ focus over the past two seasons to the development of new talent, and now they are ready to reap the rewards.

“The Bombshells have always valued the love of the game over the love of winning” remarked Scarlet O’Snap, previous team captain and Bombshell since the inception of the DC Rollergirls. “We’re having fun out there, and it shows. I think it’s what makes us successful: working as a team on positive advances and on shaking off bad jams keeps us focused on our goal.”

The main event will be preceded by the D.C. DemonCats taking on their new rival, rookie team the Majority Whips, as they duke it out for third place. Season Six has left the two-time champion DemonCats without a win and they do not intend to leave it that way. After a loss to the ladies in green in April, the DemonCats are out for blood. Green blood.

The third-place bout beings at 4 p.m., with the Championship clash kicking off at 5:45pm. The Armory’s doors open at 3 p.m. but get there at 1 p.m. for the tailgate party in Lot 3, featuring live music by Sunwolf and Toy Story Riot, along with sandwiches from the Mojo food truck.

Hang out with the skaters and fellow fans at Kelly’s Irish Times later that evening for the traditional after-party celebration.

General admission tickets are $12 and can be purchased in advance through Ticketmaster or at the door on bout day. Individuals with a valid military ID receive admission for only $10 at the door. Secure parking is available for $10 in Lot 3.

Scare Force One’s Anti Entity hoists the Skate of the Union after last season’s Championship victory. (James Calder)