Palouse Derby team makes debut

Kelly Stewart, aka “Kraken the Whip” fights for a release from an Apple City Roller Derby foe during the Rolling Hills Derby Dames home roller derby Saturday night at Beasley Coliseum in Pullman.

The match was the local Dames’ first ever home match after the team, made up of members from all across the Palouse, formed two years ago.

The Rolling Hills squadron topped the Apple City club from Wenatchee 145 to 121 in front of a crowd of some 1,500 spectators, many of whom reported being baffled by the scoring system.

The two teams put five skaters on the concrete ring at a teime, though several contestants spent time in the penalty box.

“Kraken” Stewart was acting as a jammer in the above photo.

The jammer’s job is to burst through the wall of blocking opponents to earn points for their team.

Blockers from both squads tussled during the rounds of the track, several being sent to the floor in violent flame-outs.

Blocker Conni “Nunn Chuk” Nunn was sent to the sidelines during the match after breaking her collar bone.

The Rolling Hills Derby Dames next match is April 14 against the B squad of Lilac City in Spokane.