Sulphur City Steam Rollers to take on Northland Nightmares

The Sulphur City Steam Rollers' Motley Crew (in black and purple) are preparing for battle against Northland Nightmares' Hell's Wives. Photo/Mark Coker

The second annual Halloween skate "spooktacular", Hell-O-Wheels 2017 rolls into town on October 28 at the Southern Trust Sportsdrome.

Local roller derby league, the Sulphur City Steam Rollers' Motley Crew are preparing for battle against Northland Nightmares' Hell's Wives. It will be the second time the Northland team has played in Rotorua.

The teams are going head to head as part of the New Zealand Top 10 Roller Derby Championship Tournament, this year organised by Whakatane Roller Derby League. It is Motley Crew's final game in their pool which also includes teams from Christchurch, Palmerston North and Auckland.

Although the Steam Rollers were ranked 16th on the table in New Zealand earlier this year, they were invited to take part in the tournament due to other leagues' international travel commitments.

The local team have not taken a win in their pool yet, due to playing teams of a much higher skill level. But playing Northland presents an opportunity as the Steam Rollers have moved up to 11th, and Northland sit 14th.

Coach and team captain Nat Calder (Nat Demon on the track) is proud of the dedication and accomplishments of Motley Crew this year.

"Our team continue to go from strength to strength. We took on the challenge of the Top 10 Champs knowing that we would face opponents we were unlikely to beat. While we went into each game with a realistic view of how things would pan out, we fought from the first whistle to the last, offering a strong defensive challenge and learning from each jam. I'm super proud of how our team has come together and risen to the challenge," Calder said.

Tournament weekend for the Top 10 Champs will be held on November 25 and 26, and, in order for the Steam Rollers to make it through, they will need to take the win against Northland at Hell-O-Wheels.

Described as a "fun-filled night for the whole family", Hell-O-Wheels is a night of entertainment including free face painting, a lolly scramble, costume competitions and a Time Warp dance competition.

The Lakes Performing Arts Company will be doing a Rocky Horror Picture Show-inspired performance during the game's halftime break.

The Steam Rollers' chairwoman and Motley Crew team member Layla Robinson (Primevil) was looking forward to the event.

"I've always wanted to organise a regular Halloween event that the whole family can attend, dress up and enjoy to the fullest. I'm looking forward to seeing all of our spectators in costume and jumping out of their seats in support of their local team," Robinson said.

Tickets for Hell-O-Wheels are on sale from Ticketmaster online, or at the Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre. For more information about the event, visit the Steam Rollers' at: www.steamrollers.co.nz