Location: Coventry CS, Hearsall Common, Earlsdon, Coventry
Event: 17 March 2013
Coventry Devlins Newsagents cycle speedway team romped to a 102 – 72 victory over East London on a saturated Hearsall Common track last Sunday afternoon.
It was only Coventry's second win since their return to competitive racing last year and showed the Godiva city speedsters are on the right track for further success.
In 16 year old Daniel Drewett, the Hearsall Common side have unearthed another outstanding rider for the future. In only his third first team outing, Coventry 'kid' Drewett topped the score chart with a 17 point dashing display. After the first two heats were shared, Coventry took the lead in heat three with a 7-3 maximum heat success via the Mark Winwood/Shaun Reynolds partnership.
The home side increased their lead with another full return in heat five, with dazzling on-loan Bretford starlet Mason Phillips showing fine composure in holding the inside gate, with veteran Joe McLaughlin soon joining him at the front after a pulsating inside pass.
With heat leaders Norman Venson and 2012 British finalist Myke Grimes to the fore, Coventry pulled away to lead by 18 points at the half way mark, heat nine.
Drewett underlined his glittering promise by racing away to take his third win of the day early in the second period and was soon joined by Phillips in notching a hat-trick of individual heat wins. Fellow youngster Liam McGuire also posted a heat win.
The depleted Londoners continued to mount a game resistance but Coventry pulled away in the latter stages to top the hundred mark and confirm a morale boosting home win.
The Coventry – East London match was followed by two supporting junior matches, with Coventry losing out to the visiting Leicester youngsters in both affairs, despite fine performances by James Kirrane, Josh Marsh and Jake Slatter.
This Sunday (24 March), Coventry travel to East London's banked Canning Town home venue for the return challenge fixture. Coventry will depart from the Mauldsley Public House, Allesley Old Road, at 10am.
Coventry welcome back Polish star Konrad Pietak, who is due to arrive in Coventry on Saturday evening after a gruelling 1100 mile overland trip from his home Czestochowa city.
Pietak will lead the Coventry attack and team manager Lee Marsh names the following side: 1 Konrad Pietak 2 Mason Phillips 3 Dave Frith (c) 4 Liam McGuire 5 Joe McLaughlin 6 Daniel Drewett 7 Shaun Reynolds 8 James Kirrane
