It's time for the 2008 championship bout, capping off a very successful third season for the Arizona Derby Dames! The undefeated Brutal Beauties (5:0) take on the newest team in the league the Runaway Brides making it to the championship in their first year with an impressive season record (4:1). With extended play for this game, two 20 minute periods as opposed to the two 15 minute periods and a men's roller derby exhibition bout at half time, this event will close out this sell-out season with flair. The championship game marks the end of the beginning for the Arizona Derby Dames history as this game is the last at The Castle Sports Club before the move to Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum for the 2009 season. With the Castle selling out all season long, this Championship bout is a celebration as the Dames say good-bye to the venue where they got their start.

The Runaway Brides suffered just one loss this year and that to The Brutal Beauties in May. The Brides have had two more bouts under their garter belts since then and have been working tenaciously over the past few months in anticipation of this rematch. Bride co-captain, Dirty Martini, will be stepping down for the 2009 season, but plans to leave with a first year team championship under her belt. The Brutal Beauties have had the Arizona Derby Dame Championship trophy swathed in pink since November of 2006 and they plan to keep it that way come October 11th.

Make sure you stick around for the half time event, husbands and boyfriends of the Arizona Derby Dames, also known as the "Widowers Club" will strap on some skates for quick men's exhibition roller derby bout (two 10 minute periods), so they can get a feel for the sport that competes with their ladies' hearts, minds and of course, time. The themes for these teams of lusty lads are pirates vs. ninjas. The pirates or "The Mighty Mateys" features the men behind the women of the Bombshells, Schoolyard Scrappers and Coffin Draggers. The ninjas or "The Ninja Slippers" is made up of the men of the Brides and Beauties working together as a team for the first time! Watch for LoLo and Cruella DeMille of the Schoolyard Scrappers as fight refs for this bout to keep the men in their places.

The Castle Sports Club is located at 11420 North 19th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ, 85029, (602-331-2582). Doors will open at 7 p.m. with the bout starting at 8 p.m. Advance tickets can be purchased for $8 at all Bookmans locations. $8 general admission tickets, a limited number of $15 reserved front row seats, as well as discounted reserved seat group tickets are available at brownpapertickets.com. Tickets will be $10 at the door the night of the bout. Kids 12 & under are admitted free. After the game, follow the Dames to their official party venue, Hazelwood's First Place Bar and Grill, on Indian School Road just east of 36th Street.

Don't miss the Arizona Derby Dames at the Arizona State Fair this year during the month of October. Catch the Dames at the main gate to the fair near their new home for the 2009 season, the Coliseum, from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. on October 10, 14, 16 (including right before the GooGoo Dolls concert), 21 (including right before the Sheryl Crow Concert), 23, and 28. The skaters will be holding exhibition scrimmages, training sessions and skating demos each date.

Arizona Derby Dames 2009 season begins in January 2009. Please watch www.arizonaderbydames.com and www.myspace.com/azderbydames for details.