Edinburgh Cycle Speedway Club Xtra Update
- Article by Alan HewitsonPosted on 27 July 2010
- Edinburgh Cycle Speedway Club Xtra Update Edinburgh (94) v Heckmondwike (34)A warm and sunny Redbraes Park welcomed Heckmondwike for a Northern League fixture in front a small but appreciative crowd. British Cycling's Cycle Speedway supremo, Paul West was in attendance, as with his promise to go "out and about" and visit the Nation's tracks. After being introduced to the Park on-lookers, he was invited to do the pre-match coin toss, which Edinburgh duly won, and took "insides". Edinburgh Captain, Mikey Hewitson replaced John Murphy in heat 1 and opted for grid 3 outside Darren Kent. It proved fruitful, as the Home Skipper won the first of four races with the evergreen veteran. The next three heats were close, with Heckmondwike using five Edinburgh Club riders and Juniors. Falcon's junior find, Michael Lee winning his first senior race, followed by Jake Slight's first of 4 wins in a heat that saw Lee's brother Christopher make his senior debut, with Polish rider, Robert Bandosz missing. Heat 4 had reserves, Newsome and Hewitson facing Kent and Calum Slight. Kent winning this one from the close chasing Hewitson, before he shed a chain, but held third behind partner Newsome. Edinburgh opened up a 25 point lead by the interval after an eighth race 7-3 by Newsome and Hewitson over Kent and Westcott. Kent feeling aggrieved with Hewitson's overslide exiting turn two on the third lap.Edinburgh opened up after the break with two advantages, a 6-4 from Kennedy and Chris Lee, then a 7-3 from McPherson and Murphy. Jake Slight took a heavy tumble while chasing Darren Kent in Heat 11, but was given the okay after treatment. Craig Newsome, who had led the initial race, won the re-run. The next two races went 7-2, (Ewan Tulloch adjudged to have left no room for race leader, McPherson coming out the fourth turn.) 7-3 Edinburgh's way. The penultimate race saw the fourth meeting of Hewitson and Kent, with the home rider again on the outside of his opponent on grid 2. Kent was bumped onto the in-field, the Heckmondwike man showed his displeasure after the whistle had went for an "all 4" call. Kent won the re-run from Hewitson and Michael Lee. An angry adult exchange between the two riders on the return to the pits came to nothing, before Slight-taking his fourth win of the day-and Murphy-unbeaten by an opponent in four rides-rounded off the match well in Edinburgh's favour, receiving a warm applause from the sporting crowd.
- Scores after official adjustment.
- Edinburgh 94
- ; John Murphy 12 +4 (4), Gavin Kennedy 14 (4), Jake Slight 16 (5), Christopher Lee 9 +3 (3), Neil McPherson 11 +1 (4), Michael Lee 9 +2 (3), Craig Newsome 11 (3), Mikey Hewitson 12 +2 (4).
- Heckmondwike 34
- ; Richard Westcott 8 +1 (5), Darren Kent 16 (5), Andy Morris 10 (5).Edinburgh riders for Heckmondwike; Calum Slight 7 (3), Ewan Tulloch 6 (4), Chic Mackie 9 +1 (5), Mark Lee 4 (2), Douglas Morgan 1 (1).Edinburgh had 12 junior riders of varying ages, contesting a second-half, Reds v Yellows Challenge match. With Michael Lee leading a slightly weaker Reds team, with a win in his first race, was given four double point handicapped rides. All six Yellows riders won a race, with Lee adding 3 "double pointers" and newcomers, Ewan and Brodie Stran,g gaining a 7-3 in Heat 14, before Lee's brother Christopher lowered his brothers final "Tactical Ride" in the last race. All 12 riders had five rides each.
- Reds 81
- ; Michael Lee 34, Josh Hewitson 5, Louis Kennedy 9, Brodie Strang 10 +2, Ewan Kennedy 12, Ewan Strang 11 +2.
- Yellows 84
- ; Mark Lee 17, Sean Hewitson 9 +1, Douglas Morgan 15 +3, Calum Cairney 14 +3, Chris Lee 18, Paul Lee 11 +1.
