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Poole edge out Norwich to progress to semi-finals

Poole v Norwich
British Team Championship - Quarter-final
Event: 10th July 2011
Report: Graham Sutton
Images: John Burge

It is eight seasons since Poole last got their hands on the silver trophy that previously almost lived in their clubroom after their first win in 1982. In their quarter-final encounter with Norwich they put together a performance which suggested that they are determined to add to their twelve previous successes.

Lee Cossey gave the Stars the first of only three race winners in the opening heat before home riders took the chequered flag in the remainder of the heats up to the interval when the scoreline stood at 54-33. Heat 3 was probably the highlight before the break with Matt Mildon outpacing Lee Grange after an epic battle.

Poole kept up the pressure after the interval with wins in four of the next five races before the Stars collected two late 6-3's after first Tom Reed then Arran Morgan were excluded. Aaron House rounded off an unbeaten performance in heat 16 while Pete Young and Chris Roberts again drew on their experience to put together good scores in what was a good all round team performance.

Josh Colby impressed with his two race wins while Lee Cossey and the Grange brothers were always in the thick of the action. With a full line-up it could have been rather different for the Norfolk side but on the evidence of this match the home side look hungry for success in this competition and could take some stopping.

Results

Poole 101: Aaron House 18, Pete Young 17, Thomas Reed 15, Chris Roberts 14, Leyton Glover 13, Matt Mildon 9, Arron Morgan 8, Luke Armes 7.

Norwich 72: Josh Colby 15, Lee Cossey 12, Jake Bacon 9, Jason Barker 9, Ian Grange 9, Lee Grange 8,
Alan Parkins 7, Robert Warminger 3.

Referee: Robin Spicer