Double Home Defeat for SSRG at their Final, Circus Themed, game of 2011 - But a move up in the European league table means that SSRG don’t feel like clowns

Both Sheffield roller derby teams may have lost on Saturday, but that didn’t stop the local Roller Derby team going out with a circus themed ‘bang’. The event, titled ‘Cirque Du Slay’ was held at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre on Saturday 9th October, and was sponsored by Alpha Rooms.

The Sheffield All Stars challenged Birmingham’s Central City Rollergirls ranked 3rd in the unofficial European League table, for the second time on the track. Displaying vastly improved tactics and teamwork, the end score was a respectable 119-151. This win means that Sheffield Steel Roller Girls All Stars have moved up to 10th place on the league table.

The newly formed B team, the Crucibelles, lost their third ever game in the tense last few minutes against the Liverpool Roller Birds, with the final score being 75-65.

A smiling All Star Captain, Miss D Nightshade commented after the game, ‘all the hardwork in training has paid off and both teams played amazingly. It doesn’t feel like we’ve lost because I know we played our hearts out. I can’t stop smiling since the final whistle and think that today demonstrates very powerfully what we’ve built up over the last three years.’

The day was a circus extravaganza with jugglers, stilt- walkers, face painting, stalls and hula hooping, which helped to entertain crowds of all ages and raise over £250 for Bluebell Wood.

The team’s doors may be closed for the year now, but the girls will be training hard for their 2012 debut in January.

If you can’t wait until 2012 to see your local roller derby team again, they have a movie themed 2012 charity calendar available to buy online at www.sheffieldsteelrollergirls.com Proceeds will be donated to Bluebell Wood.