HOME INTERNATIONALS

WELSH HEADS HIGH – posted 29 July 2012

 

While being disappointing to lose out to England so narrowly in Saturday’s Home International, Wales team manager Nick Evans has taken a lot of positives from the match, not least the performances of some of the younger Welsh riders but Evans was also critical at the organisation and match officials.  Here’s what he had to say.

 

“I would like to congratulate England seniors juniors and their management teams for their wins in the Home Internationals.  I thought the day was full of great racing with plenty of young prospects from all nations shining through to make both events a tight finish. 

 

“Everybody in the Welsh camp were disapointed with the loss but we will hold our heads high with pride, hold no grudges and use our positives to build on our negatives to reach our future goals. I would like to say a massive well done to all the Welsh riders who rode and thank them for putting in a great effort. One young lad who really stood out on the day is Jack Harrold.  He went back-to-back in the senior and junior events completing a total of ten rides, dropping only two points.  That is something special.

 

“He listened to the coaching staff when we arrived and did everything they advised him on, to get him through the long day. Jack is maturing into fantastic rider and is going to be one to watch for the future. Well Done 'Garfield', keep up your commitment and hard work and you will be very close to becoming junior World champion next year” predicted Evans.

 

“As team manager, I don’t think I was treated or taken seriously by the match Officials.  Tthis is nothing to do with the Horspath lub who made us all welcome and put on a great show, thank you.  I am not looking for excuses ,but I would like to air my views

 

“Firstly the senior formula was the wrong formula that was sent to me by email by the event organiser, which was then printed in the programme. There were two reserve rides thrown into the middle of the racing which was not shown on the formula. If I had known this I would have selected the Welsh team in a different order. I was not even notified of this by any match official and found out when the announcer called out Kieron Jones to come out in a reserve race after heat four” said a disgruntled Evans.

 

“Secondly I was disappointed with some of the inconsistent decisions that were really going the opposite way to us.  When asked to speak to referee he didn’t want to know. I understand he doesn't have to speak to managers when they request to speak to him, but at international level surely he could have the decency to speak to the team managers. I do speak the same language!

 

Instead this resulted in me shouting and screaming from the pits after another dubious decision which nearly resulted in me getting a red card. I didn’t swear.  I wasn't abusive.  I made my point in the only way I could and walked away. It didn’t have to come to this if he was willing to talk to me in the first place” said Evans

 

“On behalf of the Welsh riders and myself, I would like to thank the Welsh coaching staff, Stuart Raven and Tony Bennett, for the way they prepared and maintained the riders and the bikes before and throughout both matches.  

Also a huge thank you goes out to our supporters who made the journey to support us, especially Sue and Joyce Davis, who left Newport at 9am and at one point were 20 miles from Southampton. Sue got lost and arrived at Horspath at 3pm.  After six hours on the road, she still arrived in time to cheers on our junior team.  Thanks Sue, supporter of the year.

ENGLAND WITHSTAND WELSH CHALLENGE – posted 29 July 2012

 

England saw off a strong challenge from Wales to clinch the Home International at Horspath.  A good sized crowd and sunny weather witnessed the team in the St George cross ease in to a five point lead, winning their grid ones in the first four races, helped by an exclusion to Wales's Ben Mould for forcing his opponent over the outside line.  Ireland led the chase on nine with Scotland eight and Wales six.

 

In the first reserve race, the impressive Ipswich-based Irish rider Charlie Rumbold took the flag with England's Ben Higham only getting a point. Ryan Hoyland got excluded at the gate in heat six, one point from two races as the pack closed in. Scotland's Jamie Ball got the first of a couple of wins for him.  Suddenly both Ireland and Scotland were just two points adrift, Wales were six back. However wins for Ben Mould and Mark Carmichael and a second behind England's Shaun Rudman for Keiron Jones got the Red Dragon roaring.  At half time England had 26, Wales 22, Scotland 22 Ireland 18.

 

The large Welsh support in the crowd got even more enthused when a gate exclusion for home star Shaun Rudman saw Ben Mould take the win and level with the English.  Scotland with Nathan Groves picked up second and were a point behind. Jack Harold took the win in the eleventh to give Wales a one point lead.  Mark Carmichael, showing his Horspath Elite League form, doubled the lead in the 12th, Jamie Ball won the 13th heat with Hellingly's Neil Hollebon finishing second to reduce the English deficit.

 

Second reserve race again saw Charlie Rumbold of Ireland win but an exclusion for excessive force to Keiron Jones swung the lead back to England with Ben Higham taking second. Phil Adams got another Irish win in the 15th with Mark Carmichael in second and England last.  Scores now England 39, Wales 39, Scotland 36, Ireland 32.

 

Heat 16 and a really good ride from Ryan Hoyland gave England the advantage with a win.  Lewis Osborne took the next heat with Wales in last and suddenly a four point lead left Shaun Rudman to finish for the win for England his eventual third place enough to do just that.  Jack Harold's win halved the final difference whilst both Ireland and Scotland tied on 40 Jamie Ball beating Lewis Roberts in the bronze medal run off for Scotland.

 

Home International at Horspath, Oxford

England 49

Lewis Osborne 13, Neil Hollebon 11, Ryan Hoyland 11, Shauan Rudman 10, ben Higham 4

Wales 47

Jack Harold 14, Mark Carmichael 12, Kieran Jones 8, Ben Mould 7, mark Winwood 4

Scotland 40

Jamie Ball 13, Nathan Groves 9, Pete Young 7, Luke Draisey 6, Chris Shylock 5

Ireland 40

Charlie Rumbold 11, Phil Adams 11, Lewis Roberts 8, Will Clarke 7, Ben Donohue 3

IRELAND LOOK TO YOUTH – posted 26 July 2012

 

Ireland’s hopes of causing a surprise in Saturday’s Home International have received a jolt with the news that some of their key riders are not available.  Team manager Gary Colby has had to shuffle his squad after Adam Stephenson, Leigh Cossey and David Martin confirmed they will miss the big event in Oxford.

 

Needing to field a five-man team, the fifth man having two races, Colby has named his top four and will make a last minute decision about the tactical reserve.  Wayne Clark will captain the side.  Colby will be looking for his skipper to lead by example on his home track.  The remaining places are filled by Phil Adams (Hethersett), Ben Donahue (Poole) and the exciting Lewis Roberts (Ipswich), so despite a great deal of international experience, the Ireland team has a strong look about it.

 

Looking to the future - Ireland team manager Gary Colby

Colby will have to decide between Tom Doyle and Steve Copping for the reserve berth.  Both riders are travelling and both will be keen to start but Colby could leave his decision until the very last moment.  Depending on how they perform in the preceding junior international, Colby may be tempted to elevate one of his better youngsters to the top tier.

 

Colby has worked miracles in fielding an all-Ireland junior team.  He has done his homework, check nationality qualification and unearthed some real talent to pull on the green jersey.

 

Home-based Horspath teenagers, Lee and Wayne Clark provide a formidable spearhead. The six-man team is completed by Ipswich duo Charlie Rumbold and Lewis Roberts, Colchester’s Patrick Kruger, Harley Hammil from Hethersett and Wednesfield’s Aaron O'Brian.

WALES CONFIDENT AHEAD OF HOME INTERNATIONALS – posted 26 July 2012

 

Final preparations in the Welsh camp took place at Newport Cycle Speedway track on hot and uncomfortable Tuesday evening with plenty of confident and determined riders hungry for victory. 

 

“Both senior and junior teams have been told not to take anything for granted” said national team manager Nick Evans.

“We plan to ride to our game plan. We realise Horspath can be a tight, tricky track for racing and we must leave no room for error” he added.

 

Wales senior team will be led by the experienced Mark Winwood as captain.  He will be backed up by his Birmingham team mate Jack Harrold and home track riders Mark Carmichael (pictured) and his brother, David. Ben Mould will also be on track for his first international action this season.

 

The present junior team of riders 'travelling' to Horspath will be Joe Lewis, Ryan Evans, Aarron Hughes Dean Bennici. The Junior team will be led by the hardworking Dan Bock whose motivational attitude as team manager at club level has earned him this place as junior team captain.

 

“As for the European team selection, expect to see Jack Harrold, Ben Mould and Mark Carmichael in action along with our Welsh/Polish riders who are being picked up from Bournemouth Airport on Thursday 2nd August” added Nick Evans.

ENGLAND’S SURPRISE CALL-UPS - posted 24 July 2012

 

England joint team managerS Pete Barnes and Colin Sutton have named a team of mixed abilities for Saturday’s Home International in Oxford.  The national team will be a blend of youth and experience as the managers look to the future.

 

As widely predicted, Horspath’s Shaun Rudman wins an international call-up following his outstanding display in last week’s British team championship.  He will be joined in a power-house three-pronged attack by Horspath team-mate Lewis Osborne and arguably the best rider outside the Elite League, Hellingly’s Neil Hollebon, who complete a formidable top end trio. 

 

Former Young England competitor Ben Higham (pictured) makes his full international debut and Ryan Hoyland returns for his second international cap.

 

The England management are keeping their European Nations squad close to their chests.  With Andy Angell, Lee Aris and Paul Heard almost certain to be named in the five-man team, a good performance in Oxford on Saturday could see one or more riders elevated to the Euro squad.

 

The Junior Home International squad has five new "caps".  The North are well represented by Aiden Owen and Jack Lush.  Also included is Ipswich-based Richard Fellgett who has gained valuable Elite League experience this season whilst Oli Sidwick has also had outings for Poole in the same competition.  Last but by no means least is the highly talented Haydon Chant who is achieving high scoring results for his home club Southampton.

KENNEDY UPBEAT ABOUT SCOTS’ CHANCES - posted 24 July 2012

 

This year's Home International, to be held at Horspath on Saturday, takes on an added significance as team managers hone their squads ahead of next month’s all-important European Nations Cup.

 

In the lead-up to the Home Internationals, Spokesman will be taking a closer look at the squads and will be chatting to the respective managers about their hopes and aspirations for the event and the forthcoming Euros. We start with a look at Scotland.

 

Scotland team manager Gavin Kennedy has named a seven-man squad for the forthcoming Home International and European Nations Cup competitions. The squad is Jamie Ball and Luke Draisey (both East Park), Nathan Groves (Birmingham), Josh Herring (Hethersett), Mikey Hewitson (Edinburgh), Chris Shylock and Pete Young (Poole).

After an encouraging performance in this season's Celtic Cup competition, Kennedy is upbeat about his side's chances.

 

"For the first time in five years, I've been able to get all of my top riders together for what are undoubtedly the two most important meetings on the international calendar. Four of the squad are riding regularly in the Elite League.  On a tight little circuit like Horspath, the ability to make quick starts and react quickly to even the slightest of mistakes will be key. I'd love us to improve on what was an excellent third place in last season's Home International.  However it will take a herculean effort to finish ahead of Wales and England. That said, if everyone rides to their full potential then anything is possible".

















The European Nations Cup will see former British champion Pete Young (pictured above) take over the managerial reins from Kennedy who is on a pre-arranged family holiday. After a disappointing showing with an under-strength squad in Zielona Gora in 2010, Young will be hoping to inspire his troops to greater things at Great Blakenham.

 

"If we can put in a good showing at Horspath, that'll hopefully give the boys a bit of confidence going into the Europeans", said Kennedy. "I'll be glued to my phone waiting on updates from Pete and I can only hope that he enjoys better fortune in the competition that I have over recent years", he went on.