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Report: One2Call British Women's Regional Team & Women's Individual League 1

One2Call British Women's Regional Team & Women's Individual League 1
Event: 9th July 2011
Event Details
Report and images: Ivan Pike

Photo: U16 Grand prix winner Sandra Tomborska in full flow

The girls once again put on a great show of cycle speedway at its best. With the use of guests and rider replacement the racing was compelling and competitive throughout none more so in the two league matches with North & Scotland taking an early lead against South & South Wales with Sandra Tomborska (N & S) in fine form.

S & SW pegged them back and by the interval were six points up 33-27 after some fine team riding from Charley-Jane Herbert (S & SW). Whilst in the corresponding fixture it was really nip and tuck with Charlie Ellitts and Coutney Aris (Midlands) taking a 6-4 over Sharna Cox and Carly Cooke (Eastern) to give them a two point advantage after the previous heats had been shared, only for Lauren Jacobs and Livvy Knights (E) to score a maximum and take the lead by two for the East. At the interval it was level 30 points each.

The N & S battled in the second half with a fine win for Vicky Brown and a 6-4 for Tomborska and Laura Watson partnership but with the lower order strength not giving the back up although Alice Unwins and Niamh Morton gave there all, S & SW were able to extend their lead 68-52. S & SW had all round strength with Lauren Hookway and Herbert only dropping one point apiece to the opposition. Rebecca Davies and Kristina Mines were a solid pair scoring 12 points each and it was a good first appearance in the competition for Jess Harris.

The other match was full of action with the lead changing constantly. There was good team riding from Reanna Brindly and Aris in heat 20 but then the East looked like they may have snatched victory with a 7-3 in their penultimate heat with Horsley and Jacobs over Natalie Timms and Amy Herbert. Timms and Ellitts had other ideas and in the final race got a match winning 7-3 over Billie Owen and Cooke to take the win 61-59

The racing was excellent and the comments from around the arena after was how much the girls racing has improved and the competitiveness shown we now all look for ward to the next round.

In the individual the categories have changed to bring them in line with other national age groups. In the under 16's the action was even better than the team event but a master class of gating and smooth lines gave Hookway a maximum 16 points to put her in the A final. Horsley who was always in the thick of the action along with Tomborska also made the A final and after some gutsy riding Mines made the four.
Hookway's luck ran out when she drew gate four, Tamborska drew one with Horsley two and Mines three. A strong gate from Tomborska and with three behind battling for places saw her ride clear to win, with a strong move Hookway from Horsley it left a gap for Mines to nick second place with Horsley third and Hookway fourth .

In the over 16's it was majestic from Jacobs - four wins in the qualifying and a fortunate pick of grid one in the A final, looking untouchable all day. Vicky Brown also went unbeaten in the qualifiers but had to settle for seocnd in the final lameting her decision not to pick grid one. Ellitts finished the day's racing with a rostrum place just getting the better of World Champion Laura Watson.

Results

Under 16's Grand Prix scores: Tombrska 25, Miines 20, Horsley 18, Hookway 16, Brindley 14, Herbert 13, Aris 12, Davies 11, Cox 9, Harris 8, Owen 7, Morton 6, Cooke 4 Unwins 3.

Over 16's Grand Prix scores: Jacobs 25, Brown 20, Ellitts 18, Watson 16, Timms 14, Herbert 13.

Matrix and League Table

Region	South & South Wales	Midlands	North & Scotland	Eastern
	TOT	PTS	TOT	PTS
South & South Wales	77		88-56
Midlands	60	3		77-18
North & Scotland	52	2
Eastern	16	1

Region					Points
	Matches	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against	Pts
Midlands	1	1		0	77	18	2
South & South Wales	1	1		0	88	57	2
North & Scotland	1	0		1	57	88	0
Eastern	1	0		1	18	77	0