I’m going to admit it,  I was apprehensive.

I studied the rules, I sort of knew what to expect as far as the general activity, however, what I wasn’t expecting was about 600 people cheering on the Bang Bang Betties and the Mafia Mollies tonight at the Reno Roller Girls’ new location in the old Scolari’s market off of Lakeside.  The snow was coming down hard, with about three inches on the ground by the time we left.

The crowd was a sheer mixture, a real community event.  Generally speaking it was late twenty-somethings  and early thirty-somethings (I think I even saw what happens when some of the has-been music scene in Reno grows up and has kids…),  with the crowd (probably legally) split down the center:  Drinking side and non-drinking side.   The plain walls of the interior and stark fluorescent lighting overhead could have been a real mood-killer if it weren’t for the sheer focus of all 600 people and the two Reno roller derby teams bopping it out for a pretty gosh-darn good time.

The Bang Bang Betties barely eeked out a victory against the Mafia Mollies, with a score of 60 to 58.

There was food, there was drink, there was plenty of girl-on-girl fights, bashing, pushing, anger, joy and competition throughout the almost two-hour bout.   Funny enough, there was one young referee that seemed to get taken out by the girls as much as they were taking out each other.  And let me tell you, the sound of bare thighs on that painted oval track is NOT a pretty thing!  The oohs and ahhs of the crowd as girls faked each other out and sent the aggressor onto her chin, the coordinated blocks and the spills and chills had everyone’s devoted attention!

I think once it is established where pre-sale tickets will be available (I believe their location at 3380 Lakeside Court will have them), the Reno Roller Girls will be hosting some pretty good fun at $5 (presale) per ticket, because even with my wonderment of what to expect, the mix of families cheering on teams and individuals and people there for a good time made for a decent Saturday evening, one I plan on doing again in the future to get my Saturday night started off properly.

For a list of future bouts and to get more information, mosey on over here:

http://renorollergirls.com/

Reno is lucky to have something like this, and I don’t think you’ll be disappointed if you stop by for a bout sometime.

I’d like to extend a big THANK YOU to Trish of the Reno Roller Girls that invited God Hates Reno, who is out taking a break for a while, but is working hard to make sure the group and new location are getting off to a good start.   To all the girls, thanks for the hard work and good time!

Gay Rodeo