Last night I once again trekked down to Little Filipinotown to spend an evening at the Doll Factory. Before I get started, here's a tip for all of you who come from the San Fernando Valley to see bouts. Instead of suffering through the stop-and-go traffic on the 101 and getting my blood to a boil, I took the 134W to the 5S to the 2S, which splits into Glendale Blvd. and Alvarado St. The drive that in the past has taken anywhere from 45 minutes to more than an hour took me twenty minutes in each direction. It was heavenly. Plus, the Glendale Blvd. option makes getting into the Medical Center parking easier too. Heavenly, I tell you. Okay enough of that.

Once again, the evening of derby fun started off on a slightly sad note, as this bout would be the last for The Sirens' Paris Killton. She kicks major behind, and will be sorely missed.

So I took a spot near the top of the first section of bleachers. Announcers Evil E and Blaine Capatch informed the crowd that the Jersey Shore Roller Girls were in attendance. I wish I'd known earlier; I would have tried to sit near them. Anything that gets me closer to Jersey...but I digress. Mascots for each team, a Lobster for the Fight Crew and giant Bacon for the Sirens, came by to stir up the crowd. During skater introductions, I found myself a touch disappointed, as one of my favorite members of the Sirens, Mila Minute, was nowhere to be seen. Vicki Randle of the Jay Leno Show band sang a beautiful national anthem, and the bout began. From early on, the Fight Crew took the lead, but that lead remained close through the first quarter. Haught Wheels of the Fight Crew put up a number of points, as did my old friend from "The Big One," P.I.T.A. of the Sirens. (P.I.T.A., your hair looked shorter and a bit redder than I remember. Did you have it done?)

The second quarter went very much like the first, with the Fight Crew keeping a small lead throughout. I may have found a new favorite jammer to take Mila Minute's place. Judy Gloom of the Fight Crew was awfully fun to watch skate. She demonstrated great speed and agility, and though she may not have put the most points on the board, she used good strategy to keep the Fight Crew in control of the bout. Plus, her mom was across from me and a few rows down, holding a homemade sign...adorable! Also putting up some points for the Fight Crew was Bombshell Betty. On defense, Broadzilla, Tara Armov, and Vulvarine blocked well for the Fight Crew, as did Roxy Cotton, Killo Kitty, and (of course) Paris Killton of the Sirens. At the half, the score stood at Fight Crew 49, Sirens 38, close enough that one big jam could even the score.

During halftime, I wandered around the revamped Vendor Village and saw a few minutes of the night's band, The Failures. Then I found my friend and Derby Dolls' webcast director Cecil B. DeKille and had a chat before heading back to my bleacher seat.

The Sirens came storming out in the second half, and seriously threatened the Fight Crew's lead. P.I.T.A., Amber Alert, Raven Seaward, and Tilda Whirl all skated very well, closing the gap at times down to just a few points. However, when the Sirens pulled up close, the Fight Crew would respond in kind and re-open the lead, thanks again to the jamming of Haught Wheels, Judy Gloom, and Bombshell Betty. On the blocking side, the Sirens' Dash Assault and Killo Kitty threw some vicious hits, but still the Fight Crew were able to keep pace. As the bout neared the end, both Amber Alert and V. Lee of the Sirens skated big jams, and pulled the Sirens to within striking distance of victory. Just when the Sirens could have pulled out a win, though, Tough Soles skated an incredible jam, keeping the Fight Crew out in front. Despite a last minute effort from V. Lee, the Sirens just couldn't catch up. The game ended with a final score of Fight Crew 101, Sirens 88.

Congratulations to the Fight Crew, and thank you to everyone involved for putting on another wonderfully entertaining evening of roller derby. I look forward to being there for the next bout on November 14th.

For those who would like to watch the bout in its entirety, it can be seen at Derbydolls.com right now!