Capitalizing on a 69-0 second half run, the Stunts Devils defeated the Smashinistas 146-73 in the ARRG 2010 League Championship in front of 1,000 derby-lovin’ fans.

For the Stunts, the victory marked back-to-back championships for the purple-clad skaters and the franchises’ sixth straight win.

“I’ve been crying like a baby,” said Stunt co-captain Mayor Francis Slayer following the bout. “Every single person on our team played the game of their life tonight.”

“I’m probably going to cry the rest of the night.”

It was tears of joy shed by the veteran - yet it did crystallize the emotions the team had experienced throughout the 2010 season, which included injuries, the loss of teammates and the added pressure to repeat.

“The core players on the team overcame a lot of adversity in the past year,” added jammer Artemischief. “Everybody stuck together. Everybody played for one another.”

Indeed. Yet heading into the title bout, it seemed that the Smashies had figured out a game plan that could topple the defending champs. An eight-point nailbiter last month between the two squads foreshadowed a potential upset.

And at one point during Saturday’s bout, it looked like that was going to happen.

The Smashinistas - thanks to a swing of momentum - erased a 35-point deficit en route to a four-point second half lead.

But by utilizing their own second-half shift, the Stunts proved to ARRG Nation why they deserve to retain the hardware.

To review, the agresssor out of the gate - as expected - would have the early advantage.

The Stunts Devils jumped out to a quick 17-3 lead in the bout’s first five minutes, paced by Artemischief’s three lead jams that collectively netted 11 points.

Smashies’ jammer Punches Pileup countered with a 4-pointer with 21:35 left in the first half to cut the deficit to ten.

But the Stunts would silence the Smashies midway through the first half.

The defending champs would go on a 17-0 run during the bout’s next five jams. Punctuated by Morgan LeFaetal’s 5-pointer, the Stunts pulled out to a 34-7 lead with 14:20 remaining.

The pressure continued as the half progressed. A pair of 7-pointers by Artemischief and South City Shiner extended the lead 48-13.

And it seemed that the outcome of 2010 title bout would be decided by halftime.

But the Smashinistas - characterized by their scrappy attitude - proved the skeptics wrong.

Smashie jammer Downtown Dallis - capitalizing on a penalized Stunt jammer - went off to the races. The Texan transplant’s 19-point tally with 4:35 left cut the gap to 48-32.

This would begin a 26-0 run for the Smashies. The Educator followed with four and Pileup added three to cut the deficit to 48-39 with 2:20 left.

LaFaetal broke the Stunts’ offensive drought with 1:21 left with a four-point jam, which concluded first half scoring.

After leading by 35 points just ten minutes prior, the Stunt Devils only posted a 52-39 lead at the halftime break. The baker’s dozen cushion did not seem safe against the Smashies.

And as the second half began, it wasn’t.

Punches Pileup notched a bout-changing 19-pointer early in the second half. The Smashies now possessed their first lead of the bout - a 56-52 edge with 28:10 remaining.

But unfortunately for the ladies in camo, it would be the last piece of scoring for a while - a long while - as a purple pitchfork practically poked the pretty princesses into a precarious predicament.

The Stunts would get lead jammer status for the next nine jams - and in the process go on an incredible 69-0 scoring streak in the bout’s next fourteen minutes.

Punctuated by a 23-point jam by Artemischief, the Stunts would pull out to a 124-56 lead.

The Stunts would go on to outscore the Smashies 94-34 in the second half - complimented by a pair of 13-pointers by Shiner and LaFaetal - to clinch the championship.

Artemischief notched a career best of 68 points to pace the Stunts Devils. Shiner added 52 while LeFaetal contributed 26.

Punches Pileup scored 30 to lead the Smashinistas, while Dallis contributed 26 points.

And even with the victory, the defending champs knew that they had to adjust in the second half when it looked like the trophy could have been stolen away.

“We had a couple of bad jams but then we really played great,” said Mayor Francis Slayer. “We just had to take a deep breath and go play our game, which is what we did and why we won.”

And how satisfying was it for the Stunts - who answered all the challenges in 2010 - to earn a second consecutive championship?

“So much that it made Mayor cry,” said Artemischief.

UNOFFICIAL SCORING

Stunt Devils - Artemischief 68, South City Shiner 52, Morgan LeFaetal 26

Smashinistas - Punches Pileup 30, Downtown Dallis 26, The Educator 17

SATURDAY NOTES FROM THE POOBAH

One has to tip their cap to this year’s runner-up, the Smashinistas, who overcame numerous challenges to make it to the 2010 title bout. One can expect that their quest for the championship will provide enough incentive to come out firing next season. I eagerly await to see what this talented group of skaters bring to the table in the future.

Scratches for Saturday’s bout were Polkadot yr Eyeout and Megalodominator for the Smashinistas and Smarty McFly for the Stunt Devils.

Much appreciation goes out to the 1,000 derby fans who came out the Saturday’s league championship. Your continued patronage is much appreciated and we hope to see you again for the two-day ARRGageddon Invitational on Saturday & Sunday, August 14 & 15.

Congratulations to the STLGatekeepers, the area’s first mens roller derby franchise, for a solid intraleague exhibition during the evening’s undercard. In the bout, The Force defeated the Dark Side 100-96. The Gatekeepers, who travel to St. Paul, MN on Saturday, August 24 to battle the Twin City Terroors, are actively recruiting skaters, officials and volunteers. Find out more by going to their website HERE.

Special thanks to those who participated in our charity raffle that benefitted Youth In Need. Over $500 was raised Saturday night for the non-profit. Thanks to your support at nine home bouts season, ARRG collectively raised $3,425 for Youth In Need. Thanks also this season to the business and individuals who contributed to the prize baskets this season. 

Click on the picture to find out more about this inaugural ARRG event, held in St. Louis on August 14 & 15!

Next week in the ARRG Newscenter: Reflection on the 2010 ARRG intraleague season. Your bout announcers recall their favorite moments.

The Grand Poobah and Hells LaBelle are bout announcers for the 2010 season of the Arch Rival Roller Girls. Check back in this section on Mondays for the latest in ARRG news and information…and wacky holidays. For example, did you know that Sunday is National Ice Cream Day?