Sheffield 80  Wednesfield 95

 

 

This was a must win fixture for both clubs who were both unbeaten until today. From the very first race you could tell it was going to be a meeting all about tactics, everybody watching everybody else and not wanting to slip up. Sheffield made a bright start leading by a point after three races, Chris Jewkes getting his marching orders for movement at the tapes, allowing Radek Handke & Pawel Idziorek to take a 6-3 which would have been a 7-2 but for a terrific pass on Idziorek by Ben Mould.

 

Wednesfield began to turn the ***** slowly but steadily and with a 7,8,9,10 that consisted of Matt Smith, Ricki Johnson, Brandon Whetton and Lee Kemp, team Manager Roger Ellis played a near perfect tactical hand. The racing was close but Sheffield seem to run out of ideas and Wednesfield always had that edge today, ex Sheffield rider Bobby McMillan put in a polished performance for his new club top scoring with 18, and another ex-Sheffield rider Matt Smith weighed in with 16.

 

At the interval only  six points separated the two teams but Sheffield could not get the upper hand after the break, Myke Grimes and Damon Zareeba were the pick of the home riders scoring 16 & 17 respectively. With British Champion Andy Angell unavailable today, the home team brought in Jake Read & Rich Hudson who tried their best to stem the tide, but like the rest of their team mates they came up against an unforgiving Wednesfield.

 

With both teams still having to play Horspath and Poole away todays result puts the League title very much up for grabs.

 

A good hard match which I’m sure the neutral spectator will have enjoyed immensely, for Wednesfield mission accomplished, for Sheffield a case of “if only”

 

Sheffield Stars 80

 

Damien Zareeba 17, Myke Grimes 16, Radek Handke 13, Pawel Idziorek 11+1, Mikey Hewitson 8, Gavin Parr 6+2, Jake Read 6, Rich Hudson 3.

 

Wednesfield Aces 95

 

Bobby McMillan 18, Matt Smith 16, Paul Heard 14, Ben Mould 13+1, Lee Aris 12+1, Chris Jewkes 6+2, Scott Doughty 5+1, Ricki Johnson 4+1, Lee Kemp 4, Brandon Whetton 3

 

Bobby McMillan beat Pawel Idziorek (holder) for the Elite League Riders Cup.

 

The Combination fixture proved to be a much closer meeting with Sheffield needing a maximum 7-3 in the last heat to take the league points. The racing was fast & furious with both teams giving their all. Jake Read led the scoring for the home side with 15+2 and received great support from all his team mates, Lee Kemp was the pick of the visitors notching 14. With that last heat ending up a 5-5 and Sheffield giving away 9 penalty points Wednesfield ran out winners by 70-67.

 

Sheffield 67

 

Jake Read 15+2, Rich Hudson 13+1, Kyle Holland 12, Adam Watson 11+1, Jason Burke 9+1, Niall Morton 7+1

 

Wednesfield 61+ 9 penalty points=70

 

Lee Kemp 14, Mark Winwood 12, Nathan Groves 11, Brandon Whetton 8+2, Carl Parfitt 7, Carl Winwood 5, Harry Everiss 4