CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS

IPSWICH SIMPLY THE BEST – posted 23 September 2013

 

Ipswich are again the best cycle speedway club in the country.  Good performances by their men’s and women’s teams at Hull on Saturday saw the Suffolk club leapfrog Poole at the head of the table to successfully defend the title they won in 2012.  And with the champagne still pooling in the giant trophy, Ipswich have warned they will again be the club to beat in 2014 as they go for a hat-trick of victories.

 

Looking back, it’s been a magnificent twelve months for the Suffolk club and no-one was more delighted with his teams’ performances than Phil Clarke.

 

“We didn't set out planning to win the Club Championship in 2012, but by mid-season we realised we had a good chance and pipped Poole on the final day.

 

“This year we set out to defend the club championship” Phil told Spokesman.

 

“In 2012 the lack of a Vets team could've cost us, so we encouraged the club's dads and veterans on to the track.  Apart from that, 2013 was business as usual.  We had a good campaign, the under-10s improving from third to second and the under-19s taking their title from Poole, though the under-13s were disappointed to lose their

title to Exeter. 

 

“The highlight was hosting the under-16s on a sunny Saturday, and

defending the title.  Ipswich donated a shield as there was no permanent trophy for the U16s.  Let's see how long we can hang on to it” said Phil with a wry smile.

 

“A few days later people arrived for their first training sessions after a Try-It day at Felixstowe.  It was great seeing their reactions to the track still decked with full bunting and flags.

 

“Ipswich are aiming for the hat-trick in 2014.  We will have a new look under-10s team as three riders move up an age group.  As always, we hope to do same or better in our other teams.

 

“Any club aiming to take it from us will need to enter at least six and preferably all seven of the competitions.  Don't forego a round because you won't win it” warned Phil. 

 

“If Wednesfield, Poole, Sheffield or Leicester had entered every round, then they would've challenged for first or second” said Phil.

POOLE SURRENDER CLUB CHASE – posted 1 September 2013

 

Any hopes Poole had of recapturing the British club championship have disappeared after the Dorset club surprisingly failed to enter the final two events.

 

Poole have been locked in a season-long battle for supremacy with defending champions Ipswich but have surrendered the chase by not entering the open and women’s fours events at Hull on 21st September leaving Ipswich to again pick of the mantle as the cycle speedway top club.

 

The reasons for Poole shock absence is not clear although it is believed this was a positive decision on the part of club management as opposed to an administrative error.

 

The coveted open fours event will have an unfamiliar look about it.  Not only will Poole be missing but defending champions Horspath and Leicester will also sit out the event.  It appears that Horspath missed the entry closing date.  Despite a desperate plea to be allowed in after the deadline, British Cycling turned down the Oxford club’s request meaning that they will miss out on becoming champions for the third successive year.

 

Mathematically, Exeter are still in the hunt for the title but it looks unlikely that they can put sufficient space between themselves and Ipswich to claim the overall crown.  However they have a realistic chance of overhauling Poole to claim the runners-up spot.  Having supported all seven events, this would be a magnificent achievement for the Devon club and just reward for their continued development and support of national racing.

HORSPATH HOPES DASHED – posted 30 August 2013

 

Any hopes that Horspath had of winning the British club open championship for the third year in a row have been dashed when the club failed to enter the 2013 event to be held at Hull on Saturday 21st September.

 

The Oxford club was conspicuous by its absence when the draw was published earlier this week.  Last year’s runner-up, Leicester, have also opted not to enter the championship.

 

The full draw is:

Semi Final A at 11 am

1 East Park, 2 Stockport, 3 Sheffield, 4 Birmingham, 5 Exeter

Semi-Final B at 12.30 pm

1 Wednesfield, 2 Hull, 3 Hethersett, 4 Ipswich

 

The top two scoring team from each semi-final progress to the final which begins at 4 pm.

 

The draw for the women’s fours which take place at Hull at 2pm on the same day is:

1 Hull, 2 Wednesfield, 3 Exeter, 4 Ipswich, 5 Sheffield, 6 Leicester

         

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS! - 2012 CLUB CHAMPIONS IPSWICH