Cycle Speedway Weekly Reports

Cycle Speedway Weekly Reports

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S&SW Regional League - Best Pairs & Women's Individual Champs
Venue: Harbourside Park, Poole
Event: 12 May 2012

Changes to simplify the rider grading system from 2011 when only one graded rider per pairing could be tracked, meant that only Poole and Horspath had limitations on their selection under the new rules. So while Southampton were able to use two previously A graded riders in Tom Colling and Gavin Wheeler, Poole by contrast were unable to link up Leyton Glover and Arron Morgan.

Whatever the rules, it was quite clear that the Saints would call the shots and with the 4-3-2-0 scoring in operation, they won all seven of their races, four of them by maximum points. There were three races when either of the winning duo were headed starting with heat 1 when the impressive Craig Nethercott outpaced Tom Colling then a long gap to heat 21 when Neil Hollebon got the better of Gavin Wheeler. By the time that Arron Morgan became the only rider to win a race against the Saints in heat 25, they already had the title well and truely in the bag.

There was much excitement in the race for minor places as Hellingly drew level with Exeter A in a torrid, three times re-started heat 25 against Exeter B. A vital third place from 14 year old Jesse Moore took the Eastbourne duo into a run-off with Exeter A for the runners-up spot. Once again there was more drama as Mike Legge worked overtime to try and keep the racing on the straight and narrow. Several re-runs later and the Hellingly boys snatched the verdict but full credit to Aaron Herbert and Craig Nethercott who raced superbly throughout the match. To round it all off, who better than Brian Makepeace to present the victorious Saints with their well deserved winners’ trophies.

Results

1 Southampton 45 (Tom Colling 24, Gav Wheeler 21)

2 Hellingly 38 (Neil Hollebon 24, Jesse Moore 14)

3 Exeter 38 (Craig Nethercott 21, Aaron Herbert 17)

4 Poole 31 ( Wil Bristowe 15, Chris Shylock 12, Leyton Glover 4)

5 Horspath 28 (Matt Szymczak 15 Mike Burgess 13)

6=Swindon 24 (Rob Hunt 14 Andy Hill 9, Jim Collier 1)

6=Exeter B 24 (Andy Yard 18 Rob Geech 6)

8 Poole B 23 (Arron Morgan 19 Aaron Smith 2 Luke Armes 2)

Unbeaten in her four qualifying races, Devon Express Lauren Hookway outpaced her main rivals Livvy Horsley, Charlie Jane Herbert and Patricia Borak in the grand final to take top place on the winners’ rostrum capping a faultless display. There were some entertaining qualifiers as British Champion Livvy Horsley dropped a point to Charlie Jane who in turn dropped a point to Patricia.

Before the line up for the A Final could determined, Rebecca Davies had a race-off with Borak after they tied on 13 but just lost out to the emerging young Horspath star. With current British Champion Horsley drawing the favoured inside in the championship decider, she probably lined up as title favourite but there was no denying Hookway who was jet propelled from the gate and a length clear of the pack by the time they hit the first turn.

Two former British Champions Rachael Edge and Jessie Lamb were both watching from the spectator gallery with pushchairs having recently replaced bikes! Rachael stepped up to present the trophies to the winning trio safe in the knowledge that the region remains a powerful force in womens’ racing.

Results

Lauren Hookway 16, Livvy Horsley 14, Charlie Jane Herbert 13, Patricia Borak 13, Rebecca Davies 13, Kristina Mines 11, Holly Morgan 10, Macie Schmidt 7.5, Cerys Glover 7, Jess Lundon 6, Jess Drane 4, Chloe Albin 3.5.

A Final: 1st Lauren Hookway 2nd Livvy Horsley 3rd Charlie Jane Herbert 4th Patricia Borak

B Final: 1st Rebecca Davies 2nd Kristina Mines 3rd Holly Morgan 4th Macie Schmidt

C Final: 1st Cerys Glover 2nd Chloe Albin 3rd Jess Drane 4th Jess Lundon.


South/South Wales League

A full programme of S&SW league racing saw comfortable home victories for Newport, Exeter and top of the table Horspath who continue to set the pace in Division 1.

After two defeats on the road, Poole claimed a victory at East Newport to keep the pressure on the top clubs with Wil Bristowe catching the eye for the Dorset club. The Welsh club tracked the only unbeaten rider in Neil Power but the visitors had the greater all-round strength.

Dave Hooper was once again top scorer for Exeter who carried too much strength from one to eight for battling Swindon who raced the match with their top two riders Danny Harper and Sean Rudman in the reserve positions.

Meanwhile at Oxford, it was Zac Payne who gave further evidence of his potential with an impressive 18 points against Southampton who tracked their twin spearhead of Tom Colling and Gavin Wheeler for the first time this season. The Saints had no answer to the Hammers however as the Oxford club look to defend their Division 1 league title.

Hellingly Lions top rider Neil Hollebon is well used to tactical rides and he tallied 22 points at Newport as his efforts enabled the Sussex club to keep the scoreline respectable against the powerful Welsh side.

Results

East Newport 83

Dan Bock 21 Neil Power 20 Aaron Hughes 12 Adam Bennett 9 Matt Davies 7 Rob Absolum 6 Colin Wilde 3 Josh Davies 3

Poole 94

Sam Hearn 15 Arron Morgan 15 Wil Bristowe 13 Pete Young 13 Ben Donohue 12 Arron Smith 10 Leyton Glover 8 Luke Armes 8

Exeter 101

Dave Hooper 19 Aaron Herbert 16 Craig Nethercott 15 Dave Murphy 13 Thomas Reed 13 Andy Stone 9 Andy Yard 8 Rob Geech 8

Swindon 74

Sean Rudman 16 Danny Harper 15 Rob Hunt 11 Jim Collier 10 Paul Matthews 6 Jordan Raydon 6 Matthew Raydon 5 Andy Hill 5

Horspath 103

Zac Payne 18 Matt Szymczak 17 Dave Carmichael 17 Wayne Hutt 15 Mike Burgess 12 Wayne Clarke 12 Lee Clarke 11 Ben Glanville 2

Southampton 76

Tom Colling 18 Hayden Chant 13 Gavin Wheeler 12 Pete Chant 10 Colin Wheeler 10 James Colling 4 C Wilson

Newport 99

Jack Harrold 18 Mark Carmichael 14 Nicky Evans 14 Ryan Evans 13 Oli Sidwick 12 Joe Lewis 12 Simon Bendon 6

Hellingly 79

Neil Hollebon 22 Jesse Moore 15 Martin Hollebon 14 Steve Archer 10 Dave Bonniface 10 Rich Ball 2 Mick Stretton 2


SE League - Ipswich v Hethersett, SE Division 1 & Division 2
Venue: Ipswich Cycle Speedway
Event: 13 May 2012

Hethersett Hawks got off to the worst possible start when they visited champions Ipswich in the South-East League. A 7-2 defeat in heat one was followed by four more heat defeats and they trailed 32-17. A maximum heat win in the next heat from Ben Collins and Leigh Cossey stemmed the tide and from then on the Hawks competed well in an entertaining match. Cossey was the pick of the riders with some clever teamwork while Lee Grange won three races from the reserve berth and Harley Hamill showed much improvement. Dan Chambers had a heavy collision with the safety fence in the final heat but escaped with just bruising and broken front forks in his machine.

Results

IPSWICH 100 HETHERSETT 74

(L.Grange 15 L.Cossey 11 P.Adams 10 B.Collins 9 O.Buxton 9 H.Hamill 8 D.Martin 6 Dan Chambers 6)

In the Division 2 match Ipswich were far too strong but the Hawks kept trying hard and Tiffany Collins was unlucky not to score more for her efforts. Harley Hamill and substitute Ben Collins won one race each.

Results

IPSWICH B 100 HETHERSETT B 59

(O.Buxton 13 H.Hamill 12 B.Collins 9 Dave Chambers 8 T.Collins 6 M.Perkins 6 E.Betts 5)

In the Norfolk Grand Prix event at Eaton Park there were victories for Tyler Matthews (U10s) Carly Grimes (Ladies) and Harley Hamill (Senior).

Tiffany Collins competed in the Will Burns Memorial Ladies Trophy at Leicester and finished 7th in a top-class field with 14 points.

This Saturday Phil Adams and Harley Hamill will be lining up for Ireland in the Cetic Cup in Edinburgh while the Club's juniors will be in action at Eaton Park in the British Youth and Junior League. On Sunday Hawks riders will be at Kesgrave in the South-East Grand Prix.


Astley & Tyldesley v Newcastle Veterans Challenge Match
Location: Astley & Tyldesley Miners Welfare Club
Event: 13 May 2012

Astley & Tyldesley staged a double header meeting at a bright, but very windy Gin Pit venue on Sunday afternoon.

First match up saw A & T take on the reformed Newcastle Nomads in a veterans’ challenge match. Newcastle took the lead with a 6-4 in heat 1 and steadily pulled away throughout the match to run out convincing 87-63 winners. Jason Keith and Gavin Parr both raced unbeaten, with a very solid scoring back-up throughout the team. A & T's Will Evans took a heavy fall after colliding with Fred Mitchell in heat 7, resulting in a hospital trip after sustaining a cut eye and lip. Fred Rothwell top scored for the home team, with George Hughes winning two races in the second half of the match. Michael Parr recorded the fastest time of the match, 43.00 seconds, when winning heat 1.

Veterans Challenge match result

Astley & Tyldesley 63: Fred Rothwell 16 (1), George Hughes 14 (1), Ron Makin 12 (2), Will Evans 7, Chris Snell 7, Mike Hack 7.

Newcastle 87: Jason Keith 16, Gavin Parr 15 (1), Terry Kirkup 13 (1), Michael Parr 13, Neil Magee 10 (1), Fred Mitchell 9 (1), Ashie Patterson 8 (2), Jim Graham 3.


Northern Combination - Astley & Tyldesley v Bury
Location: Astley & Tyldesley Miners Welfare Club
Event: 13 May 2012

The second match was a Northern Combination League match between A & T and Bury. The home side suffered a blow when Adam Phillips was excluded at the gate in heat 1 and Bury took the lead with a 7-2 heat win. The visitors extended their lead to 11 points after heat 5, with most races resulting in shared heats after that. Bury held on to win 79-70 and make it five wins out of five in the league this season. Dawid Renc raced unbeaten for Bury, with Ryan Livesey winning three races and solid support throughout the team. For A & T, Adam Phillips was unbeaten after his exclusion, with good support from Reece Pollitt and Joel Partington. Adam Phillips recorded the fastest time of the match, 43.99 seconds, when winning the last race, heat 15.

Northern Combination League match result

Astley & Tyldesley 70: Reece Pollitt 16 (1), Joel Partington 16, Adam Phillips 15 (1), Stefan Whitelegg 8, Ron Makin 6 (2), Max Evans 5, Daniel Burns 2, Tom Whitwam 2.

Bury 79: Ryan Livesey 17, Dawid Renc 14 (2), Steve Mann 14 (2), James Elston 12 (3), Joe Holleren 9 (1), Daniel Taylor 6 (1), Joe Allen 6, Adam Turnbull 1.


Northern League - Heckmondwike v Bury
Location: Heckmondwike Cycle Speedway
Event: 13 May 2012

Tapes up at Heckmondwike saw Bury start with a 6-4 from Parish & Dyson over the pairing of Kent/A.Watson. Heat 2 saw Pawel Idziorek race away for a win and a shared heat, the next five heats saw Bury hammer home maximum scores to open a sizeable lead with the home side claiming insides after Heat 5.

The stand out race being Heat 5 with Parish/Howarth holding off a strong challenge from Pawel to secure the seven points.

Heckmondwike secured their first Heat win in race 8, Parish attempted a big gate over Pawel and sustained an injury as he fell going into first bend, leaving him unable to finish the race, Pawel didnt look back and quickly passed Dyson and raced away for a fine win and a deserved 6-3 for the home side.

Another seven followed from the Bury duo of Whitaker/Allen before Heckmondwike secured a 7-3 with the Kent/Idziorek pairing coming out victorious over Howarth/Scranage, Kent producing a fine ride from the back to finish behind his young partner.

Bury responded with a seven of their own, then Heckmondwike secured another 6-3 in Heat 12. Scranage suffered a gate exclusion and left Whitaker from gate 4 against Idziorek & Laura Watson, Whitaker gated well from four and challenged hard for three laps on Pawel but he pulled away on the last lap to take the win with Laura taking the regulation third place.

A shared heat 13, then two maximums finished the match in style for Bury, scranage taking the tapes to line win in the last to finish a mixed afternoon for him on a high.

Bury scored solidly with Whitaker topping the scores for the first time in a long time with paid 19, Dyson scored heavily and is coming into some consistent form, whislt Parish was unbeaten on the track apart from his fall.

All in all a good win for Bury which was probably expected by pretty much everyone, full credit to Hecmondwike for a good match with some excellent, entertaining races, noteably those involving Joe Allen and Adam Watson, and it is great to see the club getting a regulation team out with 6 riders.

Result

Heckmondwike 60 Bury 88.


Midland League - Wednesfield v East Park
Venue: Wednesfield Cycle Speedway
Event: 13 May 2012

Results

Wednesfield Aces 97: Lee Aris 18, Ben Mould 16+1, Ricki Johnson 15+2, Mark Griffiths 13+1,Scott Doherty 11+3, Sam Parr 11+1, Matt Haddock 8+2, Jack Hibberd 5.

East Park Wolves 81: Luke Draisey 17+1, Matt Smith 17, Stuart Bentley 11+1, Jammie Whetton 11, David Ball 6+2, Will Cartwright 5, Brandon Whetton 2.

2nd Team Combination Results

Wednesfield Aces 75: Dave Meanley 11+1, Chris Jewkes 11+1, Arron O'Brien 11, Hayden Rowley 10+1, Mick Aris 9+2, Conner Dyke 8+1, Courtney Aris 8, Harry Everiss 7.

East Park Wolves 52: Brandon Whetton 12+1, Josh Hill 10, Will Cartwright 9, Jamie Whetton 9, Kayla Whetton 6+1, Liam Cartwright 3, Josh Whetton 3.


Midland League - Birmingham v Stoke
Venue: Birmingham Cycle Speedway
Event: 13 May 2012

The scoreline does not reflect what a close encounter this match actually was. After nine races, Stoke had provided six of the heat winners and they were shared out amongst Simon Munden, Richard Harrison, Errol Thaw and Lewis Bates. Richard Harrison could even feel slightly unlucky not to have had three wins from three as he was excluded on the last bend of heat 8 for use of the leg gifting Chris Timms his first of four race wins and enabling Birmingham to grab a 6-3 heat advantage and create a little bit of a gap in the score-line from 2 points to 5. Birmingham’s only other winner before the interval was Paul Heard who having gated in front of Lewis Bates in heat 3, then passed a very quick Errol Thaw in heat 6 with a sharp burst of speed around the outside catching Errol a little by surprise.

After the break, Birmingham opened up their lead with their first 7-3 of the afternoon from Winwood &Heard and followed this up with a 6-4 from Chris Timms and Bob Prince over Lewis Bates. Heat 12 was shared as Errol gained his third race win making the score Birmingham 65 Stoke 54. Then Birmingham hit Stoke hard with a couple of 6-4s and a 7-3 including a first ever first team race win for 12 year old Ewan Hancock.

With the match safe at 84 – 65 Birmingham took their foot off the gas as first Calvin Williams / Simon Munden and then Lewis Bates / Errol Thaw gained 7 point scores to narrow the gap to 10 points at 89 – 79. In heat 18 Richard Harrison became the first person to beat Heard but with Chris Timms out front a 6-4 was gained to leave the match with a final score of 95-83.

Result

Birmingham 95: Nathan Groves 11+1, Phil Widdas 5, Chris Timms 19, Bob Prince 10+1, Paul Timms 11, Paul Heard 17+1, Ewan Hancock 8, Mark Winwood 14+1.

Stoke 83: Simon Munden 12+1, Rich Harrison 14, Errol Thaw 18+1, Calvin Williams 10, Cameron Whalley 6, Lewis Bates 17, Rueben Pope 3, Tom Whalley 3.


Wil Burns Memorial Meeting
Venue: Leicester Cycle Speedway
Event: 12 May 2012

With so many of the country’s top riders in the ladies’ field a place on the rostrum was always going to take some fighting for, and so it proved. For much of the event the stylish Lauren Jacobs looked to be a contender but couldn’t quite keep up the momentum, leaving Sandra Tamborska and Michelle Whitehead tied on eighteen points, Whitehead taking the run off for second.

Meanwhile the eventual winner, Lauren Davies, despite drawing two grid fours, was simply awesome. Never headed into the first bend and looking at ease when in front the Leicester fifteen year old cruised to a maximum twenty point score. Lauren is a pupil at Beauchamp College where Wil was premises manager and he always took a great interest in her progress. He would have been a proud man to see her in action today.

Amy Crouch, former ladies’ champion , suffering from a long standing chest infection, took part but was forced to withdraw after three painful outings. Hopefully she will be on the mend soon.

Results
Lauren Davies (Leicester) 20, Michelle Whitehead (Leicester) 18, Sandra Tamborska (Sheffield) 18, Lauren Jacobs (Ipswich) 18, Laura Watson (Leicester 15), Danielle Riley (Ipswich) 15, Tiff Collins (Hethersett) 14, Charlie Ellitts (Wednesfield) 14, Vicky Brown (Sheffield) 13, Courtney Aris (Wednesfield) 11, Chloe Whitehead (Leicester) 9, Jenna Whitehead (Leicester) 8, Kayla Whetton (East Park) 8, Amy Crouch (Leicester) 6, Honey whitehead (Leicester) 6, Elizabeth Rigley (Leicester) 5

The senior pairs final was a classic with some cracking racing and yet another run off, this time for third. Early pacesetters were Hull but a 7-3 reversal at the hands of Sheffield in heat ten put paid to their chances. Sheffield then suffered the same fate in heat fourteen against Birmingham leaving the Midlanders with a one point victory margin.

Results
Birmingham 29 (Paul Heard 16, Chris Timms 13), Sheffield 28 (Ryan Hoyland 14, Jono Birks 14), Hull 27 (Adam Stephenson 15, Andy Angell 12), Stoke 27 (Errol Thaw 14, Lewis Bates 13), Wednesfield 23 (Lee Aris 14, Mark Griffiths 9), Horspath 13, Shaun Rudman 9, Mark Boaler 4)


Northern League - Hull v Stockport
Venue: Hull Cycle Speedway
Event: 13 May 2012

Hull crashed to their first home league defeat in over three years against a strong Stockport side at The Hessle Raceway. On a bright but windy day Hull missed Ben Swanborough due to a broken wrist while the visitors were virtually at full strength. Stockport made a great start with three maximums and a 6-4 in the first five heats to open up a 14 point lead. Andy Angell had fallen while leading heat 2 and Adam Stephenson shepherded David Cooper to a drawn heat 3 and these were the only points Hull's top two would drop.

Stockport continued to dominate and a Jack Lush / Jake Read 7-3 in heat 7 extended their lead to 18 points before Adam Stephenson / Rich Pawson took Hull's first heat win with a 6-4 in the 9th to go in at the Interval trailing by 37 points to 53. The second half was a closer affair with Hull claiming inside grids and Stockport content to maintain their healthy advantage. Matt Lush teamed up with Ben Higham and Jake Read to take maximums in heats 10 and 14 but the home side replied with 7-3's through Andy Angell with Ian Swanborough and David Cooper in heats 15 and 18. The final heat saw some audacious riding from Jake Read only for him to fall when attempting to pass Andy on the final bend.

A good tempered match was well refereed by Jon Whiting. Andy Angell and Adam Stephenson were Hull's expected stars with Ian Swanborough and David Cooper picking up valuable points in a hard working display. Stockport were strong throughout Matt Lush, Terry Norman and Ben Higham heading an impressive score chart.

Result

Hull 80: Adam Stephenson 18+1, Andy Angell 16+1, Lewis Aylmer 11, Ian Swanborough 10, David Cooper 9+1, Rich Pawson 7, Andy Cooper 6, Maciej Binkowski 3+1.

Stockport 99: Matt Lush 16+3, Ben Higham 16+2, Terry Norman 16+1, Jake Read 14+2, Dylan Radcliffe 12+2, Jack Lush 12+1, Joe Pickford 9+1, Georgina Healey 4.

The combination match was a much closer affair with Matt Lush's inclusion giving Hull a 20 point start. Hull fielded six under 12's in their side with three of these making their debuts. They made a promising start with falls to Derek Garnett and Jake Read limiting Stockport to just pulling back one point after 5 heats. Joe Sewell and Maciej Binkowski had taken an impressive heat 3 maximum for Hull before the visitors hit back with a 7-3 from Derek Garnett and Joe Pickford in the following race.

Stockport then began to eat into Hull's lead with three 7-3's before Rob Stockton Garner / Charlie Wade stemmed the tide with a maximum in heat 10. The next race was to prove decisive as Matt Lush / Derek Garnett took a 7-2 over Joe Sewell / Maciej Binkowski. Matt was the only rider to avoid the carnage as the other three twice crashed to the floor before Maciej again fell in the third re-run. Stockport made sure of the points thanks to a Derek Garnett / Jake Read 7-3 and a final heat Matt Lush / Georgina Healey 6-4.

Combination Result

Hull 62+20=80: Rob Stockton Garner 14+1, Charlie Wade 12, Joe Sewell 9+1, Katie Greaves 8+1, Jack Lister 7+2, Maciej Binkowski 6+1, Charlie Davis 4, Harrison Davis 2.

Stockport 86: Matt Lush 18+2, Joe Pickford 18+2, Derek Garnett 16, Jake Read 15+2, Georgina Healey 13+1, Ryan Coyle 6.


Northern League - Edinburgh v Sheffield
Venue: Edinburgh Cycle Speedway
Event: 13 May 2012

The Northern League encounter between Edinburgh Falcons and the Sheffield CRA Rockets at Redbraes Park produced some terrific racing and a routine 92-83 victory for the home club. Both teams were without their star man and promoted promising juniors into the first team squads. The Falcons led from heat one, when a disqualification for movement at the tapes for Louis German left team captain Aiden Owen on his own. Owen began what would end up being his best days racing ever by holding Craig Newsome’s every passing attempt to take the win and restrict the home team to a 5-4 heat win.

The Falcons then gradually increased their lead to 40-29 by heat 7, with race wins coming from Newsome, Neil Mcpherson and Mikey Hewitson (twice). Heat 8 saw the Rockets gain their first race advantage with a 6-4 from Owen/German, with Owen having to use all of his fitness and strength to catch and pass Mcpherson on the very last corner. Mcpherson finishing the race by having to dodge several riders in the Sheffield pits area.

The Falcons increased their lead to 56-43 with a well worked 7-3 maximum in heat 10 from Chris Lee and the experienced Johnny Murphy. Kyle Holland then got the first of two race wins in heat 11, but good team riding from Mcpherson helped Gavin Kennedy through for a 5-5 tied heat. The next heat provided the race of the day between Owen and Hewitson. Both went into the race unbeaten so something had to give. Owen led from the tapes and looked comfortable for the win. Then on the approach to turn three on lap three Hewitson found a burst of speed and a good inside run into the corner. With the pass perfectly timed Hewitson was about to hit the front. Owen then produced a piece of outstanding bike control as he flicked the bike out of Hewitson’s path and was back underneath the home star to go away for the win. Hewitson then tangled with German on the next corner and both riders crashed to the track surface. Hewitson was excluded for the cause of the stoppage and German awarded third place to provide the Rockets with their second race advantage.

The next four races were all regulation 5-5 drawn heats with no incidents. The Falcons had secured the league points so the last race was all about Owen being able to achieve a maximum score. An incident packed race followed as it was re-run four times with first the exclusion of Kyle Holland for causing Mcpherson to fall and then Mcpherson himself being excluded for causing Owen to fall on the very last bend. The race being awarded to the Sheffield rider to give him his first ever maximum score.

Results

Edinburgh (92) Craig Newsome 18+1, Mikey Hewitson 16, Chris Lee 14, Neil Mcpherson 13+1, Marcin Czarkowski 9+1, Gavin Kennedy 9, Johnny Murphy 7+3, Mark Lee 6.

Sheffield (83) Aiden Owen 20, Liam Webster 15, Kyle Holland 14, Louis German 9, Rob Mawhood 9+3, Karol Micholayczk 7+2, Sandra Tamborska 6+1, Vicky Brown 3.

Edinburgh had started the day with a convincing 98-52 victory over the Sheffield Rockets in the Combination League match to keep their title hopes alive. The home team had five riders unbeaten as each team member recorded a race win, with only youngster Callum Cairney missing out, as they recorded nine maximum 7-3 heat wins. Although the score was a rout for the Falcons the racing provided was alot closer than would be expected with the Sheffield riders giving everything. The Rockets one and only race winner was provided by John Turney in heat 14, but his son Sam just lost out to Cairney to prevent a heat advantage.

Results

Edinburgh (98) Chris Lee 17+3, Mark Lee 16, Paul Kelly 15+1, Callum Slight 14+2, Douglas Morgan 13, Johnny Murphy 11+1, Marcin Czarkowski 10+2, Callum Cairney 2+1.

Sheffield (52) Luke Morton 11, John Turney 11, Niall Morton 8, Rob Mace 7, Ed Morton 7, Sam Turney 5, Karol Micholayczk 3, Kyle Holland DNR.

The weather had turned for the worst for the Edinburgh v Sheffield Phantoms Combination encounter with steady rain turning the track surface greasy. However the long trip and an injury to starlet Ellie Sullivan had reduced the options available so Liam Webster and Louis German were added to the squad. The team also included mother and daughter Emily and Niamh Morton. Is this a first in Cycle Speedway? (and with father and sons Luke, Ed & Niall Morton and John and Sam Turney having ridden in the first match giving an indication to the Sheffield’s family Club label). Edinburgh fielded exactly the same team as the first match. The Falcons ran out winners by 85-64, but this time only Callum Slight was unbeaten and again the racing was closer than the eventual score line would suggest. For the Phantoms there were good race wins for Vicky Brown and Sandra Tamborska as well as Webster and German. Tamborska’s scoring was hindered by a second race fall in heat 6 as she succumbed to the greasy surface with a graceful crash just after executing a brilliant pass on both Mark Lee and Marcin Czarkowski on the entrance to turn three.

Results

Edinburgh (85) Callum Slight 20, Chris Lee 14, Marcin Czarkowski 12+1, Paul Kelly 10+1, Mark Lee 10+3, Johnny Murphy 10+1, Douglas Morgan 6, Callum Cairney 3+1.

Sheffield (64) Vicky Brown 14, Sandra Tamborska 12, Emily Morton 8, Liam Webster 8, Louis German 6, Alice Turney 6, Amber Webster 6, Niamh Morton 4.

The day’s racing was completed with an Under 10s Challenge match. Again Edinburgh were winners, making it four from four, by 37-23. Sheffield’s Sam Turney made sure that none of the home riders raced unbeaten but he also lost twice, with his races against Callum Cairney being particular highlights of the contest.

Results

Edinburgh (37) Louis Kennedy 14, Callum Cairney 13+1, Paul Lee 10+3.

Sheffield (23) Sam Turney 13, Niamh Morton 5, Alice Turney 5.


Midland League - Birmingham v Coventry (2nd Team)
Venue: Birmingham CSC
Date 15 May 2012

Coventry took their their first Midland League success since their return to full time competition by winning a tense encounter at Birmingham on 15 May 2012.

They triumphed 59-67 on a rain soaked Perry Hall Playing Fields track in Perry Barr in the Midlands League, division 2. Fielding an all junior side, the city side provided 11 of the 13 heat winners.

The fast improving James Kirrane set the tone for Coventry in heat 1 by racing away for a fine heat win, his first of five. Skipper Macauley Burnett and Callum McCarroll, showing a new assurance, followed by winning the next two heats.

In heat 6, Birmingham stopped the run of Coventry race winners by providing the first man home but the race was shared with McCarroll and Jake Slatter filling the minor positions.

The half way stage was reached with the Godiva city team holding a slender 28-30 advantage.

Further race wins from Kirrane and Burnett followed as Coventry held on to a narrow lead but Birmingham hit back to take heat 11 to square the match at 53 points all.

The productive McCarroll/Slatter (J) pairing then took heat 12 by the maximum 7-3 margin, before Kirrane and Burnett won a thrilling final heat to ensure the league points headed to the East Midlands.

Kirrane took five wins for a stunning 20 point maximum. Burnett and McCarroll supported well, whilst Jake Slatter proved the match winner by taking several vital minor positions.