2019 Championships Game 7: 2×4 v Texas

2×4 Roller Derby (Winston-Salem #3) v Texas Rollergirls (Winston-Salem #2)

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Game 7 of the 2019 International WFTDA Championships Montréal featured a rematch from the Winston-Salem Playoffs, where Texas Rollergirls of Austin, Texas, U.S. (Winston-Salem #2, WFTDA #7) convincingly bested 2×4 Roller Derby of Buenos Aires, Argentina (Winston-Salem Playoffs #3, WFTDA #10). Though Texas would ultimately prevail 139-92, the tight, back-and-forth game proved 2×4 is a team that just continues to rise.

Texas jumped out to a quick lead as the ever-reliable Freight Train capitalized on a penalty by 2×4’s Tropical Mecanica. 2×4’s Maki Lombera did double duty, forcing Freight Train off the track and then forcing her to call it by taking a star pass. The next series of jams saw both teams trading lead jammer statuses and points, and with just over ten minutes gone Texas had the slight advantage at 25-11.

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2×4 then went on a run, aided by a series of unfortunate Texas events. With lead status going to 2×4’s Rayo, Texas passed the star to pivot Anita Riot, but she was penalized at the end of the jam, allowing Loba to grab lead on the power start. Anita Riot returned and passed the star to Stone-Her, who then earned a penalty of her own. Enjoying an extended power jam advantage, Loba put up a huge 16-0 run and called off the jam with Stone-Her still boxed, giving 2×4 another power start. This would also be the game’s first lead change, with 2×4 in front at 33-25. Tropical Mecanica took lead in the next jam, but Texas was able to calm things down with a star pass to Freight Train, limiting Tropical Mecanica to 3 points.

Texas regrouped, and commanded the lead jammer calls for the remainder of the period, taking eight of the next 11. As the teams headed off the track for halftime, Texas held the biggest lead either team had enjoyed, 20 points, at 68-48.

The second half started with chaos as Tropical Mecanica earned lead, but was sent to the box on a high block, giving Freight Train a power jam. However, Freight couldn’t capitalize as 2×4’s defense held strong and then she was penalized for a forearm. The jam ended with a 6-0 score for Tropical Mecanica. In the next jam, Lula Zan brought her team roaring back into contention with a huge 16-0 jam. It was another lead change with 2×4 Roller Derby up 70-68.

Once again, Texas buckled down, taking lead jammer status in the next three jams with some help from 2×4’s cascading blocker penalties. For much of one jam, Perséfone had the unenviable task of being the lone blocker on the track against lead jammer Hauss the Boss, but performed admirably, holding Hauss to only 7 points. However, Texas had once again retaken the lead at 87-70 early in the second half.

Though they continued to play a strong and skillful game, 2×4 would never retake the lead over Texas. Perhaps owing to their legendary WFTDA Championships experience, Texas slowly pulled away, earning eight lead jammer statuses in the last 12 jams of the second half and limiting 2×4’s chances to control the game play. In the lead at 138-92 with time running down, Texas called a timeout to allow one final jam for celebrated jammer Hauss the Boss, who retired after the game. Hauss earned lead jammer and put a final point on the board to end her storied career on a high note.

In the postgame bilingual interview, 2×4 skaters addressed how they made their plans to make Champs a reality. 2×4 Roller Derby always sets really high goals for themselves, and if they make them, great, if not, they’ll keep working. They also credited all of the support they’ve gotten from everyone who helped them get to where they are, including all of the talented South American teams; their support really means a lot to Team Osom.

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