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MATCH REPORTS
GREAT PERFORMANCE BY EAST LONDON posted 23 May 2013
East London came tantalisingly close to recording their first win of the season, but just missed out by the slimmest of margins after 18 barn-storming races. Again unable to track a full side, the capital's magnificent seven started slowly but gradually started to wear their opponents down.
After a bruising fall in the first running of heat four, Steve Myhill combined with Denis Hubble to record a vital 7-3. Nicky Gunkel banged in three race wins before the interval, while Les Stevens, Steve Woodroof, Kevin Smith and Adam Burt all worked hard to ensure the scores were all square after nine races.
After the break, East London eked out a slender lead, despite a nasty looking fall that saw Woodroof split his crash helmet. Heat 17 (brought forward to give Woodroof time to recover) proved the turning point. With Norwich's Toby Sands excluded for moving at the start, a win looked possible. However, disaster struck when Hubble was also excluded (for slowing the race down) and the resulting 3-4 reversal meant that the visitors went home with the spoils, winning 87-88.
Result aside, this was a great performance by East London and a fine advert for the sport.
The second division match also provided some good racing but the result was never really in doubt. A combination of 15 penalty points (for tracking Gunkel), and some tired and bruised bodies (Myhill had a suspected hairline fracture of one of his toes) meant that East London were unlikely to make much headway against the fresh legs of the Norwich Division Two squad.
The match did give Burt the chance to be more competitive and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands, picking up a well-deserved third place in his third ride and a second in the nominated heat.
Gunkel went through the card unbeaten, meaning a personal tally of 39 points out of 40 for the afternoon as a whole. More than anything else, the result illustrated just how much East London need to recruit some new talent. Norwich ran out winners by 70 points to 105.
Coventry under-13 final with a full 20 point maximum from his five rides.
Marsh, who took to the sport only last July, received his trophy from ex-cycle speedway and Coventry Bees star Frank Smith who kindly sponsored the meeting with Galaxy Seating.
A large crowd gathered on a rare sunny evening in the Godiva City as spectacular racing was present throughout the night with all riders putting in 100%. Bretford's Nial and Jason Cleaver filled in the remaining podium positions whilst 11-year-old Jimmy Wassall just missed out on the podium with 17 points.
Other impressive performances came from Dan Price and Sammi Marsh, the only girl in the field, who returned with 12 points. Coventry's youngest prospect Spencer Sawbridge totalled 15 points whilst the Winwood pairing of Reece and Ryan scored 14 and 8.
The meeting also sprung an opportunity for new members to test themselves in a competitive scenario as Coventry new comers Billy Bloor scored six and Harley Webb, who only took up the sport three weeks ago scored five.
The final scores from last night's meeting: Josh Marsh 20, Nial Cleaver 19, Jason Cleaver 18, Jimmy Wassall 17, Dan Price 16, Spencer Sawbridge 15, Reece Winwood 14, Sammi Marsh 12, Jack Bayliss 12, Ollie Morris 11, Scott Price 11, Adam Dickinson 9, Ryan Winwood 8, Owen Ford 7, Billy Bloor 6, Harley Webb 5.
Bury entertained Hull in a return Northern Alliance fixture having lost heavily away only recently. Matters were not helped by having four first teamers unavailable and having to draft in some of the unbeaten junior riders. Hull also arrived missing a couple of first choice riders, so the stage was set for an entertaining fixture.
Bury drew first blood, a fine victory to Will Owens over Ben Swanborough with Joe Allan third. Race two and Hull took a 5-4 Howarth winning and Livesey excluded for force. Individual champion Andy Angell nursed Stockton-Garner round for a fine seven points and Hull lead 21 to 18. Owens took a second victory and Bury reduced the deficit with a good Elston-Jamson 6 to 4 win over the persistent Aylmer.
Race seven and Owens was away quickly and led for three and half laps till losing out to a fine Angell chase and pass in the last 10 yards. Another 6-4 over Swanborough; was followed by a good 7-3 to Jamson and Doyle (flown in from Spain) over the unlucky Aylmer. Interval and a narrow five points lead to Bury.
Race 10 and Hulls Schofield moved at the tapes, with Doyle and Elston taking a well worked 7-2. Angell took a classic tape to line win in race 11, followed by another race where positions changed every lap. Owens well in front but Aylmer Schofield and Allan all changing places but a 6-4 to Bury at the end.
Hull contributed to an excellent match. Fine performances from the unbeaten Andy Angell, Ben Swanborough 16 and Lewis Aylmer 13, tested the home side throughout. For the Bury side, this was a superb team performance. Captain Neil Howarth raced well, but praise for all the team. Will Owens and James Elston were outstanding with Luke Jamson and Tom Doyle contributing some terrific points.
A great match, compliments to both teams and a real treat to see all the young riders from both teams putting in a terrific effort and producing a great match.
Bury 97 Will Owens 18, Neil Howarth 16, James Elston 16, Luke Jamson 13, Joe Allan 12, Ryan Livesey 10, Tom Doyle 10, Steve Mann 2
Hull 81 Andy Angell 19, Ben Swanborough 16, Lewis Aylmer 13, Rob Stockton-Garner 10, Craig Boddice 7, Steve Schofield 6, Ryan Harris 5, Dave Cooper 5 Referee: John Whiting (Lancashire)
BURY REMAIN UNBEATEN IN DIVISION TWO posted 20 May 2013
Division Two and Bury out to retain their unbeaten tag. Bury fielded a weaker side but managed to keep the visitors at bay early on. Ryan Harrison, Dave Cooper and Andy Cooper were always in contention for the visitors but with Livesey and Elston unbeaten and Taylor losing once, Bury ran out 87-62 victors. Another really good advert for the sport, as both teams put in plenty of effort, on a really good track. Bury able to give young reserves Whitwam and Turner a race late on.
Bury 87 Ryan Livesey 19, James Elston 18, Danny Taylor 17, Joe Holloran 12, Steve Mann 10, Adam Turnbull 5, Tom Whitwam 4, Louis Turner 2 Hull 62 Andy Cooper 11, Dave Cooper 10, Nathan Everett 9, Ryan Harrison 8, Rob Stockton-Garner 7, Joshua Bellis 6, Craig Boddice 6, Katie Greaves 5. Referee: Neil Howarth (Lancashire)
Division Three and Adam Turnbull (16), Tom Whitwam (12) and Louis Turner (8) were comfortable victors in the under-12 event.
NORTHUMBRIA IMPRESS posted 20 May 2013
Astley and Tyldesdley were the latest visitors to the Cramlington track, but found the Vikings on irresistible form, the home side winning 95-55.
The down-on-strength Astley side failed to provide a heat winner, four 5-5s their best results. The track was a bit tricky to ride following two separate days of torrential rain that had left the surface under water twice. All riders however gave 100% and should be commended.
The home side had Gavin Parr, Mick Parr, and Terry Kirkup unbeaten, while Mark Mulvey had bike problems in his last ride, after taking four wins. Jason Keith dropped his only point to a clever ride by Paul Graham in heat one.
Northumbria 95 Michael Parr 18, Mark Mulvey 17, Terry Kirkup 16, Gavin Parr 16, Jason Keith 15, Dan Redshaw 11, Keith Oldham 2 Astley and Tyldesley 55 Paul Graham 11, Mark Graham 9, Becky Heslop 9, Ron Makin 9, Steve Mills, Roy Heslop 6, Mike Hack 4
In the Division Two match, a different eight riders came out for the home team, while Astley used six of the riders from the first match.
This was a closer and entertaining encounter, tired legs saw the visitors lose their early lead with the win going to Northumbria 77-72. Fred Mitchell led the way dropping his only point to Ron Makin. All 14 riders were among the points, with special mention for the home first year riders who are improving with every meeting. Ex Sheffield rider Any Knowles made his Northumbria debut.
Northumbria 77 Fred Mitchell 14, Jim Graham 13, Dan Wharrier 10, Andy Amos-Adams 10, Scott Lattimer 9, Christine Amos-Adams 7, Andy Knowles 7, Norman Carson 7 Astley and Tyldesley 72 Ron Makin 14, Mike Hack 14, Mark Graham 13, Roy Heslop 12, Becky Heslop 11, Steve Mills 8
RUTHLESS IPSWICH posted 20 May 2013
With the first team not in action, it was Ipswich's SE2 squad that took centre stage when they welcomed local rivals Kesgrave to the Whitton raceway. With the home teams impeccable record at home in this division surely it was always going to be an uphill battle for the visitors and so it proved to be as the home team went about their business in ruthless fashion and by half time lead by twenty one points.
The home club gave run outs to Lisa Bown, Pierce Bacon and a last minute call up for Alex Harvey who was to have an eventful afternoon as the young rider having his own David vs Goliath battle in the shape of Graham Long, unfortunately the Ipswich youngster coming off second best on three separate occasions and after a few tears brushed himself down and tried again and again proving what a gutsy rider he is even thou it was Goliath who came out on top this time round. Graham doesn't realise it was suppose to be David who won the battle.
Speedway riders, as we know, are made of substance and young Alex proved this point went he took part in the under-13's challenge match after racing to a twenty point maximum.
Credit to the Kesgrave team they never once dropped their heads and battled for every single point. Phil Repman and Gary Brown led from the front while there was good performances from youngsters Jay Berry and Coramc Repman. As for the home club Lauren Jacobs posted her highest score this season and is slowly getting back to her best which can only spell trouble for all the others female riders out there as she has no intention of letting her crown go without a fight .
Ipswich 102 Lauren Jacobs 19, Daniel Knights 19, Matt Hill 17, Richard Fellgett 14, Piecre Bacon 14, Fraser Harris 9, Lisa Bown 6, Alex Harvey 4 Kesgrave 74 Gary Brown 13, Phil Repman 11, Graham Long 10, James Johnson 9, Matt Oakley 8, John Oakley 8, Cormac Repman 8, Jay Bery 7. Referee: Dave Hill (Suffolk)
Under-13's Challenge Match . Ipswich 93 Alex Harvey 20, Sam Warner 19, Pierce Bacon 16, Harrison Bacon 15, Chloe Pierce 12, Troy Brumpton 6, Reece Johnson 5 Kesgrave 67 Evan Vincent 13, Oli Wright 12, James Porter 11, Brandon Simsons 9, Jake Vincent 9, Jay Berry 7, Adam Hutton 6 Referee: Dave Hill (Suffolk)
NEWPORT STAY TOP IN SOUTH-WEST posted 20 May 2013
Newport-Dig It Landscapes cycle speedway team maintained their position at the top of the South and South Wales Division One league after beating the current league champions Exeter Aces by 109.5 to 73.5 at Newports Sports Village.
Newport stormed into an early lead recording five maximum heat advantages in the first seven heats to lead at the break by 16 points. Exeter were giving it there all, with Reed, Herbert and Murphy impressing but Newport were giving the large crowd plenty to cheer about with all eight riders winning at least one race.
15-year-old Jacob Soper made his first league appearance this season scoring a fine 11 points. Rider/manager Nicky Evans was on top form speeding to a five ride maximum, looking a lot leaner and fitter this season.
Newport 106.5 Nicky Evans 19, Kieran Jones 15, Dan Bock 14, Jack Harrold 13, Oli Sidwick 12.5, Mark Carmichael 12, Jacob Soper 11, Aaron Hughes 10 Exeter 73.5 Aaron Herbert 15.5, Dave Murphy 12, Tom Reed 11, Dan Winchester 10, Wil Tidball 8, Andrew Yard 8, Rob Geach 5, Andy Riddle 4
Newport-Frankie and Bennys Division Two team also kept their grip on the league title with a comfortable 71 to 49 victory against Exeter. Andy Cobley made a welcome return to racing and impressed as did youngster Sean Hawkins.
Newport 71 Ryan Evans 16, Chris Davies 15, Kev Greaves 12, Colin Simmons 9, Shaun Hawkins 9, Andy Cobley 6, Lee Bonnici 3, Joe Sidwick 1 Exeter 49 Owen Tidball 11, Charlie-Jane Herbert 9, Lauren Hookway 8, Connor Tucker 7, Rob Croal 5, Sam Riddle 5, Thomas Croal 4
Conference (under-16s) Newport 53 Exeter 67
Newports next league match is at Swindon on Sunday 2nd June.
Southampton came out winners in the British team cup at Stoke Road and will now focus on Wednesfield in the next round.
Birmingham travelled down for what will be their final long road trip of the season to Hampshire to face Southampton in what looked on paper a close one to call. The Monarchs were without injured Scott Millward but Nathan Groves returned to action. The hosts had Gavin Wheeler, Tom Collings and the father and son Chant combination in their lineup as well as some good up and coming youngsters.
Captain Chris Timms and Nathan Groves both won their respective heats before the home side took a slight advantage in heat three as Wheeler beat Bob Prince with Robertson picking up third ahead of Winwood. Timms once more came out to win, this time heat four but then two 6-4 heats to Southampton opened the gap to six points.
Heat seven saw the first exclusion as Hayden Chant moved at the tapes. The restart saw Mark Winwood beat Collings with Prince picking up third to close the gap slightly. Just before the interval the Hampshire side claimed their first 7-3 as Woodhouse and Poole rider Colling beat the Monarch pairing of Paul Timms and Steve Hodgkinson to make it 48-41 at the break. After the interval Southampton stretched the lead with a further two heat advantages with Bob Prince disqualified in heat eleven for moving at the start-line. Heat twelve Groves steadied the ship with his second heat win but then a run of three heat advantages once more to the home side killed off any ambitions of an away win and further involvement in the competition. Groves and Chris Timms came out in sixteen to get a 7-3 to help the scoreboard but Southampton came out 100-77 winners on the day.
British Team Championship Preliminary Round Southampton 100 Gavin Wheeler 18, Nathan Harris 18, Shaun Woodhouse 6, D Miller 13, Tom Colling 12, Hayden Chant 10, Peter Chant 8, J Robertson 8 Birmingham 78 Chris Timms 19, Mark Winwood 17, Nathan Groves 16, Paul Timms 8, Bob Prince 6, Richard Stevenson 4, S Stevenson 4, Phil Widdas 4 Referee: Mike Legge (Dorset)
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