ROCKPORT — The Rock Coast Rollers Dreadnaughts took a 140 to 188 loss to RCR's The Golden Gails on Saturday, May 18, at the Midcoast Recreation Center in Rockport. The meet was RCR's first home event of the season and affectionately titled, “Baby’s First Brawl.” Each team sports 18 rollers and two coaches, and for many of the players, it was their first time out in competition since joining the Rock Coast Rollers last fall.

Basically, the flat track action works something like this: Each team puts a pack of Blockers out on the track, four total, and two of the blockers have stripes on their helmets which designates them as Pivots. Each team also puts a Jammer out, as well. The Jammers trail the pack. When the whistle blows the Blockers take off. When the last Blocker crosses the pivot line the whistle blows twice and the Jammers take off.

The first time through, the Jammers try to beat each other through the pack to become the “Lead Jammer,” which seems to bring a lot of yells and applause from the audience. The Jammers don’t score the first time through. They must come around again and break through the pack to score points. It’s the job of the Blockers to keep the opposing teams Jammer from getting through while helping their own Jammer break through the pack.

There are plenty of thrills and spills to keep you interested. I was trackside, so I got to see a lot of the action up close. It really was exciting and then I sat down in a seat to take a break, which went something like this.

“You can’t sit there."

“Why not?”

“It’s the penalty box.”

“It’s a folding chair.”

“It’s the penalty box.”

“Oh, well what do I have to do to get in the penalty box then?”

“It’s the penalty box. You can’t sit there.”

“Oh, OK then.”

The Dreadnaughts, and all of the Rock Coast Rollers teams, use Billy’s Tavern in Thomaston as their official clubhouse. After a hard night of flat-track roller derby action, I can see why Billy’s makes for the perfect clubhouse to unwind and toast the players and the game.

Brent “The Beard” Marriner is one of the coaches for the Dreadnaughts. He said he was very pleased with the team’s performance, especially since for a lot of them, this was their first time skating for team.

“Both teams were in that situation, so it worked out to be pretty balanced,” Beard said. “I think it’s going to be a great season for us. We practice three times a week. We’re definitely progressing and the team work is pulling together.”

Bethany “Hurricane” Davis, another Dreadnaught coach, said she thought her team was just amazing in play Saturday night.

“I have seen both teams grow since the beginning of Rock Coast Rollers and I just love them so much. I think we can look forward to some amazing home bouts. We have some teams coming in from away. There’s going to be some great camaraderie and some awesome entertainment. This is the third game these girls have played in, but the first game where they played as a team and I love the way they came together.”

The next home game is June 15, also at Midcoast Recreation Center; 6 p.m. is the whistle to start the action, and I recommend a VIP pass to get you trackside. For more info visit rockcoastrollers.org.