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Robert F. Bukaty

Rock Coast Roller Erin Darnell, aka "Iron Orchid," of Rockland, wears war paint for a bout against the Port Authorities, Saturday, March, 9, 2013, in Portland. "I wear it because it gives me strength and power when I need it most," she said. Buy Photo

Robert F. Bukaty

A line of fans stretches around the Happy Wheels roller rink before a bout between the Port Authorities and the Rock Coast Rollers, Saturday, March, 9, 2013, in Portland. Buy Photo

Robert F. Bukaty

Port Authorities jammer Dana Hayes, aka "Grim D. Mise," signs an autograph after the bout, Saturday, March, 9, 2013, in Portland, Maine. Buy Photo

Robert F. Bukaty

Players can earn a trip to the "sin bin" for penalties ranging from dangerous hits to insubordination. Buy Photo

Robert F. Bukaty

Even the referees give themselves nicknames that play on the sport's hell-raising spirit. Buy Photo

Robert F. Bukaty

Fans line the rink to slap high-fives with the players after the bout, Saturday, March, 9, 2013, in Portland. Buy Photo

Robert F. Bukaty

Bristol Smashin' of the Rock Coast Rollers, left, accuses a Port Authority player of a penalty that went uncalled, Saturday, March, 9, 2013, in Portland. Buy Photo

Robert F. Bukaty

A fan shouts during a bout between the Rock Coast Rollers and the Port Authorities, Saturday, March, 9, 2013, in Portland. Buy Photo

Robert F. Bukaty

The Rock Coast Jeerleaders perform during the half-time intermission, Saturday, March, 9, 2013, in Portland. Buy Photo

Robert F. Bukaty

Port Authorities jammer Dana Hayes, aka "Grim D. Mise" (305), makes a move to get around "Bistol Smashin'" to score a point against the Rock Coast Rollers, Saturday, March, 9, 2013, in Portland. Buy Photo

Robert F. Bukaty

"Sinner of Gravity," a jammer for the Rock Coast Rollers who has been called "a centrifugal force to be reckoned with," speeds around the track in a bout against the Port Authorities, Saturday, March, 9, 2013, in Portland. Buy Photo

Robert F. Bukaty

The Port Authorities and their coach, "Caesar Foulin'," let out a cheer before the start of the second half of a bout against the Rock Coast Rollers, Saturday, March, 9, 2013, in Portland. Buy Photo

Robert F. Bukaty

Bristol Smashin' of the Rock Coast Rollers circles the rink wearing the skin of a canine predator as she is introduced prior to a roller derby bout against the Port Authorities, Saturday, March 9, 2013, in Portland. "One day I'd like to win an all-female arm wrestling competition, circumnavigate the globe under sail, finish writing my book, come to terms with my gypsy lifestyle and inability to sit still," said Smashin' in her bio on the team's website. Buy Photo

Robert F. Bukaty

Jennifer Kruszeweski, whose roller derby name is "Pixie," makes announcements prior to a bout Saturday, March, 9, 2013, in Portland. Buy Photo

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Tracy Fredricks MacMillan, aka "T-Storm" of the Port Authorities goes down hard in front of the pack in a bout against the Rock Coast Rollers, Saturday, March, 9, 2013, in Portland. Buy Photo

Robert F. Bukaty

Christa Calder, aka "Princess Layher Out," of Auburn, has a tattoo of her mother on her shoulder. "[My mother] probably would not approve — so I just bring her along for the ride,' said Calder. "I brought my Dad to a bout once and he told me that watching me at roller derby was a lot more fun than watching me do cheerleading competitions in high school." Buy Photo

Robert F. Bukaty

A fan reacts to the rough play on the rink during a bout between the Rock Coast Rollers and the Port Authorities, Saturday, March, 9, 2013, in Portland. Buy Photo

PORTLAND, Maine — Hundreds of fans packed the Happy Wheels roller rink last Saturday to watch a flat track roller derby bout between the Port Authorities of Portland and the Rock Coast Rollers of Rockland.

The sport is a combination of high-speed skating and tactical moves with a lot of mayhem mixed in. The women who compete not only have exceptional endurance and great balance, but also the toughness to take the occasional elbow to the face — and keep on skating.

During half-time the crowd was entertained by the Rock Coast Jeerleaders, a co-ed group. Later a raffle was held to award several prizes, including a $100 gift certificate from a local tattoo parlor.

Players and referees adopt “skater names” that play on the sport’s rugged nature. Christa Calder of Auburn calls herself “Princess Layher Out.”

Calder has a tattoo portrait of her mother on her right shoulder.

“[My mother] probably would not approve — so I just bring her along for the ride,” said Calder.

“I brought my Dad to a bout once and he told me that watching me at roller derby was a lot more fun than watching me do cheerleading competitions in high school.”