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Report: British Premier League - Birmingham V Poole

Words: John Heard Photography: Andy Whitehouse
August 15 2010

A tremendous afternoons racing on a well prepared track from two very evenly matched teams, where the excitement started right from heat 1.

Birminghams Lewis Bates gated well only for Gavin Wheeler to spot a gap, not only take it but create the space to get partner Pete Young through for a maximum 7-3 advantage.

The fightback started in heat 2 as Paul Heard from gate 4 rounded both Tom Colling and Tom Read and with Chris Timms subsequently passing Tom Colling the deficit was cut to 2. Heat 3 saw the match levelled as this time Marcus Wadhams gated around Pooles Polish pairing of Poprawski and Gluchowski and on this occassion Ben Mould making a fine last lap pass on Greg Gluchowski.

Two more 6-4's gave Birmingham a 4 point lead but then Gluchowski and Poprawski took their own 6-4 to reduce the deficit - two shared heats with wins for Tom Read and Gaving Wheeler meant Birmingham went into the interval 2 points to the good.

Four shared heats started the second half of the match, until heat 14 saw the match move back towards Poole. Birmingham seemed comfortable as Paul Heard and Dominic Rycharski followed Artur Poprawski for what looked a drawn heat, however when Dominic lost his pedals coming out of the 2nd turn on the last lap his momentum took him into Paul and Sam Hearn seized the chance to make the pass - all square 70-70.

Gluchowski gained his third win of the afternoon in heat 15 with Chris Timms chasing him all the way and Gary Pearce grabbing 3rd place - still all square. Heat 16 saw Gaving Wheeler race from the inside grid followed by Ben Mould but Lewis Bates was ridden very wide by Tom Colling and never recovered to get back into the race, 6-4 Poole, 79-81.

Heat 17 saw Phil Widdas make a change putting in Dominic Rycharski in the place of Errol Thaw and he partnered Paul Heard against Tom Read and Greg Gluchowski. With such a strong line up a quick gate was going to be key and unfortunately for Birmingham Paul Heard went too early and was excluded. The Poole pairing rode a superb first bend to relegate Dominic to the back and the resultant 7-2 won them a thoroughly entertaining match. Final score Birmingham 87 Poole 91.

Birmingham Errol Thaw 5, Lewis Bates 14, Chris Timms 12+1, Paul Heard 10+1, Ben Mould 11+4, Marcus Wadhams 18, Dominic Rycharski 12+1, Gary Pearce 5+1
Poole Gav Wheeler 18+1, Pete Young 11, Tom Reed 17+1, Tom Colling 10 Artur Poprawski 10, Greg Gluchowski 16+1, Dave Murphy 3, Sam Hearn 6+1

Combination Birmingham 69 Poole 59.

Another match ridden in excellent spirit with some fine passing by both sides. Mark Winwwod raced away to win heat one but Leyton Glover rode a super 3rd bend to move Andy James to the fence to ensure a drawn heat.

Again in heat 2 Paul Timms gated and held off some fine challenges by both Matt Mildon and Aaron Morgan but with partner Nathan Groves at the back the race was halved.

Poole looked to be on for a 7-3 in heat 3 as both Luke Armes and Dean Hook rode super first turns, however Birmingham Pete Bourgeois was not going to let the Poole lads have it their own way and powered under Dean on the lst lap - however 6-4 Poole and they had the early lead.

Mark Winwood and Nathan Groves rode strong 1st bends to relegate Matt Elston and Leyton Glover in heat 5, however Aaron Morgan and Matt Mildon extracted full revenge next time out as pete Bourgeois next attempt at a dive ended in disaster for the Birmingham newcomer.

Poole held on to their 2 point lead until heat 8 when Nathan and Pete teamed up for maximum points over Morgan and Mildon and once again the lead changed back to Birmingham, 41 points to 39. It looked like going to the wire as heats 9 and 10 were drawn however heat 11 was decisive - looking like another 5-5, Matt Mildon slipped coming off the 4th turn and his partner could do nothing but ride into him.

Andy James nipped past them both and the drawn heat became a 7-2 to Birmingham as unfortunately Matt was lapped in the confusion. With the match all but over Luke Armes did not appear for Poole in heat 12 and the resultant 6-4 to Birmingham made the match safe. The last race was interesting to say the least as Mark Winwood, Nathan Groves and Aron Morgan all took turns in leading it until Leyton Glover came from nowhere to pip Nathan on the line.

Again another geeat match ridden in tremendous spirit - thnaks to both sets of riders, both 1st and 2nd teams and to the two referees Mick Aris and Phil Widdas.

Birmingham Mark Winwood 14, Andy James 5+1, Paul Timms 13+1, Pete Bourgeois 10+1, Adam Lamb 7+1, Carl Winwood 5+1, Nathan Groves 15+1
Poole Leyton Glover 16, Matt Elson 6+1, Aaron Morgan 10+2, Matt Mildon 8, Luke Armes 8, Dean Hook 11+1