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Cycle Speedway Reports

Reports and results week ending 31st May including all the Bank Holiday Weekend action

Norwich and Heathersett Roundup

Report: Gary Colby

Norwich ‘Norfolk Premier Coachwork' stars and Hethersett Hawks/Swinton & Co cycle speedway had female club members compete down in Poole over the bank holiday weekend in the first ever Woman & Girls League Match against South-West and Wales. Representing the Eastern Region, Carly Grimes from Hethersett, Emma Betts and Danielle Riley from Norwich all raced well but were unlucky to lose 66-54. Individual Score were Carly Grimes 12, Emma Betts 9, Danielle Riley 7. The girls also competed in the Grand Prix with Carly Grimes winning the ‘B' final in the Over-15's beating three top riders. Emma Betts, also in the over-15's finished 2nd in the ‘C' final. Danielle Riley competed in the under 15 category and finished 3rd in the ‘B' final.

Also travelling down to Poole was Dan Chambers from Hethersett who represented Young England against a Rest of the World side. He scored 12 in the home 95-80 victory and the following day he contested the Ade Gale Memorial Junior Laurels event. He finished fourth overall after losing a race-off for third place. Ben Collins also rode well in this event to finish 8th.

Hetherrsett have a new Norfolk Champion with Phil Adams taking the U19 title after a very unpredictable and exciting final at Hetherrsett. Chambers looked favourite after already beating Adams but reigning champion Collins surprised him with a strong challenge in their last ride. The two tangled and ultimately Collins could only be content with a third place keeping Chambers at the back. Adams had won all his other races, including a recovery after being passed by Collins, so his 15 points gave him the title with Chambers winning a race-off with Scott Grimes for third place on the podium. Joshua Colby from Norwich finished in 2nd place.

Sunday 30 May 2010

Norwich v Ipswich

A very strange looking Norwich - Norfolk ‘Norfolk Premier Coachwork' stars took on the strong looking Ipswich Eagles side at a blustery and showery Harford Park on Sunday in a South East League Division 1 match. Although the stars put up a very brave fight Norwich were no match for the stronger Suffolk rivals. The match started fairly evenly, but by midway through the first half Ipswich started to build up some momentum and gradually opened up a comfortable looking lead at the half way stage with 39 - 50. Ipswich extend their lead in heat 10 with a 7-3 heat win (42-57), but the Norwich maximum heat win by Joshua Colby and Leigh Cossey in heat 11 reduced the deficit to 10 points (49-59). Always holding the upper hand, Ipswich were able to record heat wins almost at will, as they finally went on to win the match by 74-102. The leading Norwich point scorers were Josh Colby 17, Leigh Cossey 11 + 1, who suffered a last heat exclusion, Gary Colby 11.

In the Under 16 match, again, a vastly experienced Ipswich side dominated the match, going on to win 51 - 107. This was an inexperienced Norwich side including some first time riders, Mason Parkins, Issac Bocz and Owen Wells, who fought bravely to the end, but Ipswich, on this form, will take some stopping in the race for the league title. For Norwich, Mason Parkins, Oliver Riley and Isaac Bocz all scored 10 points. Congratulations to Isaac Bocz for winning the man of the match trophy.

Great Blakenham v Hethersett

Above: Images courtesy of Brian Barnett - www.cyclespeedwayphotos.co.uk

With several riders away the Hawks took a scratch side to face leaders Gt.Blakenham in the South-East League and got well-beaten although acting captain David Adams was in good form and his brother Phil scored the Hawks' only race win.

GT BLAKENHAM 114 HETHERSETT 65
(D.Adams 13 P.Adams 10 R.Carter 10 S.Grimes 8 T.Grimes 8 O.Buxton 6 Calvin Grimes 6 Carly Grimes 4)

The Combination Division match was much tighter as unavailability led to both sides using a lot of first-team riders, giving Hethersett a starting handicap advantage of 20 points. They defended that well with Scott Grimes and David Adams working an early 7-3 win. An exclusion for Phil Adams reduced the deficit but no more races were lost until David Adams fell and brought down Scott Grimes in heat 12 for a home 7-0. The Hawks won two of the last four heats to win by 5 points.

GT BLAKENHAM B 126 HETHERSETT B 131
(P.Adams 16 S.Grimes 13 Calvin Grimes 12 D.Adams 10 O.Buxton 9 M.Perkins 8)

Fixtures for this week has the Hethersett Charity Cup being staged at The memorial Park playing fields on Wednesday evening stating at 7pm.

Regional round 3 of the British Youth and Junior League will be held at Colchester on Saturday, starting at noon. On Sunday at Eaton park, Norwich Norfolk Premier Coachworks entertain Poole in round 1 of the British Team Senior Championship starting at 3pm.

British Women and Girls League Round 1

Report: Graham Sutton

The inaugural British Women & Girls league got off to a flying start at Harbourside Park in Poole with some top quality racing to entertain the Bank Holiday crowd. The experienced Midlands team packed too much fire power for their younger opponents from the North including current British Champion Lucy Whitehead and former Champion Amy Crouch. The match-up between Eastern and South was an altogether closer affair and revealed the full potential of the competition which is sure to be a precursor for club-based team competition in future seasons.

One2Call British Womens & Girls League - Round 1

Midlands 80: Amy Crouch 15 Michelle Whitehead 15 Lucy Whitehead 13 Charlie Ellitts 13 Natalie Timms 8 Courtney Aris 8 Sharna Cox 8

North & Scotland 39: Amber Webster 9 Karolina Olczak 8 Kate Unwin 8 Laura Watson 6 Niamh Morton 4 Alice Unwin 4

Eastern 54: Lauren Jacobs 12 Carly Grimes 12 Laura Dale 10 Emma Betts 9 Danielle Riley 7 Natalie Ward 4

South & South Wales 66: Charlie Jane Herbert 14 Rachael Edge 14 Jess Lamb 13 Lauren Hookway 10 Rebecca Davies 8 Livvy Horsley 5 Kristina Mines 2 Charlotte Cox dnr

Referee Mike Legge

One2Call Women & Girls Grand Prix

South & South Wales 123 Eastern 52 Midlands 51 North 44

Over 15's Finals

A Final
1st Amy Crouch 2nd Charlie Ellitts 3rd Lauren Jacobs 4th Rachael Edge
B Final
1st Carley Grimes 2nd Laura Dale 3rd Laura Watson 4th Jess Lamb
C Final
1st Natalie Timms 2nd Emma Betts 3rd Natalie Ward 4th Sophie Tulloch

Under 15's Final

A Final
1st Livvy Horsley 2nd Charlotte Cox 3rd Charlie Jane Herbert 4th Rebecca Davies
B Final
1st Lauren Hookway 2nd Karolina Olczak 3rd Danielle Riley 4th Amber Webster
C Final
1st Kristina Mines 2nd Courtney Aris 3rd Holly Morgan 4th Sharna Cox

Referee Robin Spicer

Ade Gale Junior and Senior Laurels

30th May 2010, Poole | Report: Graham Sutton

Vintage Display by Harris to Win 2010 "Laurels"

The outcome of the senior Laurels at Poole was as entertaining as it was unpredictable with half the line-up in contention as the final block of 4 races unfolded before another healthy Harbourside bank holiday crowd.

Lee Aris outpaced Steve Harris in the opening race but would a first bend tumble by Poole favourite Gav Wheeler rule out his rostrum chances, local supporters asked themselves. Inside gates favoured Lukas Nowacki, trophy holder Dan Pike and Ian Grange in the next 3 races and Leicester's Polish star followed up with a well timed pass on Lee Aris in heat 5 to make the early running. Gavin Wheeler blasted from grid 4 in heat 7 but was unable to find a gap to pass Craig Marchant who held on to win his gate 1.

Mark Boaler won of both his inside gates in the next two races but he needed eyes in the back of his head in heat 9 with Lee Aris on his back wheel for 4 laps. Andy Angell is always a lively performer at Harbourside and he held on by inches to clinch an exciting heat 10 and became the first rider to lower the colours of flying Pole Nowacki.

After the break Gavin Wheeler tried to catch Lee Smith unawares but the Sandwell youngster kept his nerve to take the chequered flag ahead of the former British Champion. Chris Timms kept himself in contention with a win over Steve Harris in heat 12 and after 3 rides apiece, Lukas Nowacki headed the field with 11, a point ahead of Lee Aris and Mark Boaler.

British Champion Aris saw his hopes recede in heat 13 as he could only muster two points as Chris Timms sped away in the second of two insides and Darius Pilas keep the door shut behing him. A star studded heat 15 saw Gavin Wheeler ride a perfect race to deny Mark Boaler while Lukas Nowacki and Dan Pike had to be content with minor places. At this stage the event was looking wide open and Steve Harris put himself in contention with a vintage pass on Adam Peck to take the spoils in heat 16.

Boaler, Timms and Nowacki were now joint leaders on 13, a point ahead of Aris and Harris with Wheeler back on 11. There were more permutations than there was time to work them all out as referee Dave Hunting called the riders to the line for heat 17 which saw Adam Peck win his inside gate from Dan Pike leaving Lee Aris with only 2 points for his efforts and only an outside chance of a rostrum place. Next to have his hopes dashed was Mark Boaler as Tom Colling and Lee Smith showed him a clean pair of wheels in heat 18.

The outcome was coming down to a test of nerves and in the next race Gavin Wheeler survived a physical mid-straight clash of the shoulders with Andy Angell to pick up a second consecutive race win taking his total to 15. The Sheffield rider took a heavy tumble in the clash and failed to add to his tally but thankfully walked away uninjured.

With Boaler and Wheeler both finished on 15 points, heat 20 brought Steve Harris and Lukas Nowacki together with the Horspath rider on gate 1 and the Leicester star on 4. If veteran Harris could hold his nerve he could total 16 while a win for his main rival would secure the title outright with 17. Harris did not disappoint his Horspath fans with a text book win which set up a finale with run-offs for all rostrum places.

Gavin Wheeler won the toss for grids and outfoxed his younger rival to take third overall and thoughts of what might have been after that opening race tumble. And so to the all important match up for the title and Steve Harris looked the happier with the toss of the coin after calling correctly. Lukas Nowacki gave it everything but could not catch the wily vet who made his first appearance in the Laurels way back in 1987 and here he was 23 years laterlooking fitter than ever as he received the coveted trophy from sponsor Steve Read of Read Fabrications.

Result

Steve Harris 16 Lukas Nowacki 16 Gavin Wheeler 15 Mark Boaler 15 Lee Aris 14 Chris Timms 14 Tom Colling 13 Dan Pike 13 Chris Jewkes 11 Lee Smith 11 Adam Peck 11 Darius Pilas 10 Andy Angell 10 Craig Marchant 10 Ian Grange 9 Lee Grange 8
Referee Dave Hunting

Reed in Command in Junior Laurels

The quality of the field for the Under 19 Laurels was demonstrated by the fact that no less than twelve riders were able to win at least one race but only the event winner Tom Reed was able to do it consistently, reeling off four impressive successes to take the coveted trophy.

Wins for Leyton Glover, Matt Smith and Arron Herbert in the opening heats at the expense of more fancied contenders gave a taste of what was to come before Reed opened his account with 8 points from consecutive inside gates. Dan Chambers rode a cool race to keep Paul Heard at bay in heat 6 before Mark Carmichael held off the hard charging Carl Jarvis.

A costly excusion for Ben Mould on gate 1 in heat 8 dashed his rostrum hopes but worked wonders for Matt Beharrell in the adjacent grid with a comfortable 4 points while the reigning British U16 champion recovered his poise to win his second gate 1 in heat 9 to salvage some pride. Paul Heard took a race win at the third attempt before the break with a superbly timed pass on Matt Smith.

Carl Jarvis sped away in heat 11 hotly pursued not by Matt Beharrell as expected but by the impressive young home rider Arron Morgan who set back the Wednesfield riders' aspirations. Tom Reed faced his stiffest challenge in heat 12 as Mark Carmichael sped away but Reed calmly closed the gap and pulled the tightest of lines to clinch the race superbly.

If anyone was going to upset the flying young Devonian it would have to be in heat 14 with Beharrell off the inside and Reed off gate 3 with Heard off 4 for good measure. With points to spare, Thomas rode a cool race and settled for 3 points against his two main rivals. Wins for Beharrall and Heard in heats 17 and 18 underlined their rostrum credentials while Reed effectively had a third inside gate in the all important heat 19 as Scott Millward picked up his second tapes exclusion of the day on his grid 1which allowed the Poole rider to clinched the trophy with another comfortable win..

A run-off for 3rd place was called after a win by Dan Chambers in heat 20 as the classy Hethersett rider took his total to 15. Paul Heard had the all important inside start in the match race for the remaining rostrum place and held on to the lead despite a 4 lap challenge from the East Anglian. The crowd saluted 21 heats of quality racing from the 16 young stars as they collected their trophies from event sponsor Steve Read with Dan Chambers picking up an additional man of the match cash prize.

Result

Tom Reed 19 Matt Beharrell 17 Paul Heard 15 Dan Chambers 15 Arron Morgan 14 Mark Carmichael 14 Ben Collins 13 Leyton Glover 12 Carl Jarvis 12 Matt Smith 12 Arron Herbert 10 Ben Mould 10 Scott Millward 9 George Solomon 9 Sam Hearn 8 Shane Bentley 5
Referee Pete Dalley

Second Bank Holiday Win for Reed in John Baugh Trophy

31st May 2010, Sandwell | Report: Roger Beaman

Tom Reed (Poole) won the John Baugh Trophy for the second time on Spring Bank Holiday Monday afternoon (31 May) at Sandwell's Tividale track. The meeting which is an annual event in the Sandwell calender, was once again
up to the high standard of riding that this meeting has come to expect, and it was action from heat one right through to the re-run off for the title.

At the end of the first part of the programme (the qualifying heats), the front runners for the trophy were Lee Smith (18 points), Andy Angell (17), Paul Heard and Tom Reed (both 16).

In the first heat of the A final with these four going all out to secure the points to take into the next heat, Paul Heard took a very bad fall on the third bend, which resulted in a twist knee, which was too painful for him to continue
and he retired from the meeting, and his chance of winning the trophy went on the back burner for another year.

In the next heat Lee Smith was excluded and Sandwell's chances of a home winner went with him. For Reed and Angell the racing just got harder and harder, as either one gave an inch, and both hitting the deck in the two remaining races, both ending on 12 points, and so a run-off was the needed to find a winner.

In the last race of the afternoon both riders shot from the tapes with first one and then the other taking the lead, and as both came out of the last turn, they both hit the track with Tom Reed getting back to his feet, just in front of Andy
Angell to take the race and win the trophy.

Result

A. Final scores: Tom Reed 12, Andy Angell 12, Lee Smith 10, Paul Heard 0.

B. Final: Mark Carmicheal 12, after run-off Darius Pilas 12, Lewis Osborne 11, Tom
Haddock 4.

C. Final: Chris Jewkes 12, Daniel Osborne 11, Scott Millward 10, Ben Mould 7

D. Final: Matt Smith 14 after run-off Dylan Radcliffe 14, Ben Higham 8, Jack Lush 8.
Referee: A. Bentley