KINGS LYNN STARS
versus
SOMERSET REBELS

Premier League
Wednesday 18th August 2010

KING’S LYNN 45
O Allen 3 3 6^ 1 1 - - 14
A Roynon 0 1 2 0 - - - 3
L Bjerre 1 1* 0 2 - - - 4+1
K Smith 3 2 2 3 - - - 10
T Topinka 2 1 3 3 3 - - 12
J Courtney 1 0 0 1 - - - 2
J Knight 0 0 0 0 - - - 0
Team Manager: Rob Lyon

SOMERSET 48
C Gathercole 1* 3 1* 0 - - - 5+2
R Hawkins 2 0 3 2 - - - 7
S Masters 2 3 2 3 2 - - 12
C Hefenbrock 0 2* 1* 2 - - - 5+2
S Parker 3 2 3 2 0 - - 10
J Holder 3 0 1 1 - - - 5
K Howarth 2* 1 1 0 - - - 4+1
Team Managers: Steve Bishop & Garry May

Referee: Paul Carrington

HEAT DETAILS SCORE
1: Allen, Hawkins, Gathercole, Roynon, 61.70 (3-3) (3-3)
2: Holder, Howarth, Courtney, Knight, 61.92 (1-5) (4-8)
3: Smith, Masters, Bjerre, Hefenbrock, 61.85 (4-2) (8-10)
4: Parker, Topinka, Howarth, Knight, 61.67 (2-4) (10-14)
5: (re-run x2) Gathercole, Smith, Bjerre, Hawkins, 61.58 (3-3) (13-17)
6: Allen, Parker, Roynon, Holder, 61.47 (4-2) (17-19)
7: Masters, Hefenbrock, Topinka, Courtney, 61.55 (1-5) (18-24)
8: Hawkins, Roynon, Howarth, Knight, 61.77 (2-4) (20-28)
9: Parker, Smith, Holder, Bjerre, 61.87 (2-4) (22-32)
10: Allen^, Masters, Hefenbrock, Roynon, 61.83 (6-3) (28-35)
11: Topinka, Hawkins, Gathercole, Courtney, 61.55 (3-3) (31-38)
12: Masters, Bjerre, Holder, Knight, 61.46 (2-4) (33-42)
13: Topinka, Parker, Allen, Gathercole, 61.65 (4-2) (37-44)
14: Smith, Hefenbrock, Courtney, Howarth, 62.35 (4-2) (41-46)
15: Topinka, Masters, Allen, Parker, 62.32 (4-2) (45-48)

Make no mistake about, the Somerset ‘Dickies’ Rebels fully deserved this victory over King’s Lynn and totally dominated the match right from when reserves James Holder and Kyle Howarth scored a maximum 5-1 heat advantage in heat 2.

From there on in the Rebels never looked back, and although the Stars came back at Somerset over the final three heats, it was a case of it being far too little, far too late, though a third successive 4-2 in heat 15 for the home side was enough for King’s Lynn to deny the Rebels the maximum 4 points for an away by 7 points or more.

To add insult to injury, the home supporters had to suffer the ignominy of seeing their side resort to the black and white double point tactical move in heat 10, it being many a-long day, if not years, that King’s Lynn have been forced into such a move on home shale.

In truth the Rebels were just far too good for their hosts and on the occasions that they did hold the upper hand, invariably the Somerset riders fought their way past, with Shane Parker and Sam Masters leading the way in this respect.

After opening up that initial four point lead in heat 2, the Stars pegged Somerset back in the following race, but every time they did so, so the Rebels simply re-asserted their authority, so much so that by the time the riders came to the tapes for heat 10, the Rebels had opened up that 10 point lead, forcing the home side into double point tactical ride territory.

The move was only a partial success as although King’s Lynn number 1, Oliver Allen, made it three wins out of three to claim the six points for victory, the Somerset duo of Sam Masters and Christian Hefenbrock did enough to keep Adam Roynon at the back and thereby restricting the Stars to a three point heat advantage.

A further 4-2 race win for the Rebels in heat 12 all but clinched their victory, and when Hefenbrock took second place in the penultimate race, Somerset’s victory was complete. Despite this though, Sam Masters was to feature in the race of the heat in heat 15 when he chased and harried the Stars duo of Tomas Topinka and Oliver Allen, who were trying to team ride to keep the Somerset rider back in third place.

It looked as if they had succeeded in their task as the riders rounded the final turn, but Masters made a sublime cut back on Allen and pipped him on the line for second place to take his personal tally for the night to a more than creditable 12 points.

This win, and the three points that came with it has re-ignited Somerset’s hopes of a top 12 finish in the Premier League, and with it a place in the end of season Young Shield Competition, though the matches come no tougher than their next home meeting at the Oak Tree Arena on Wednesday when they welcome the high-flying Edinburgh Monarchs who have swept nearly all before them in heading the league table by a 10 point margin with matches in hand.

Report courtesy: Ian Belcher

(Aggregate score; Birmingham 107, Somerset 73)

BIRMINGHAM 59
Jason Lyons 3 3 2 3 2* - - 13+1
Rider replacement – Aaron Summers
Justin Sedgmen 1 2* 3 2* 2 - - 10+2
Richard Sweetman 3 3 2* 3 2 3 - 16+1
Steve Johnston 2* 3 2* 3 X - - 10+2
K Legault 3 3 1* 2* 1* - - 10+3
Rob Branford 0 0 0 0 - - - 0

Team Manager: Graham Drury

SOMERSET 31
Christian Hefenbrock R 0 0 1* - - - 1+1
Ritchie Hawkins 1 1 1* 1 - - - 4+1
Sam Masters 2 0 0 3 0 - - 5
Shane Parker 0 1 3 3 1 - - 8
Cory Gathercole 2 1 R 2 - - - 5
James Holder 2 0 1 1 - - - 4
Jake Anderson 1* 1* 2 0 - - - 4+2

Team Managers: Steve Bishop & Garry May

Referee: Margaret Vardy

HEAT DETAILS

1: Lyons, Johnston, Hawkins, Hefenbrock (ret), 58.9 (5-1) (5-1)
2: Legault, Holder, Anderson, Branford, 60.7 (3-3) (8-4)
3: Sweetman, Masters, Sedgmen, Parker, 60.1 (4-2) (12-6)
4: Johnston, Gathercole, Anderson, Branford, 60.4 (3-3) (15-9)|
5: Sweetman, Sedgmen, Hawkins, Hefenbrock, 60.3 (5-1) (20-10)
6: Lyons, Sweetman, Gathercole, Holder, 59.3 (5-1) (25-11)
7: Legault, Johnston, Parker, Masters, 60.7 (5-1) (30-12)
8: Sedgmen, Anderson, Hawkins, Branford, 60.5 (3-3) (33-15)
9: Sweetman, Sedgmen, Holder, Gathercole (ret), 60.2 (5-1) (38-16)
10: Parker, Lyons, Legault, Masters, 59.9 (3-3) (41-19)
11: Johnston, Legault, Hawkins, Hefenbrock, 62.0 (5-1) (46-20)
12: Masters, Sedgmen, Holder, Branford, 60.7 (2-4) (48-24)
13: Lyons, Gathercole, Hefenbrock, Johnston (f.exc), 59.8 (3-3) (51-27)
14: Parker, Sweetman, Legault, Anderson, 60.6 (3-3) (54-30)
15: Sweetman, Lyons, Parker, Masters, 61.1 (5-1) (59-31)

The manner of Birmingham’s victory was every bit emphatic as the final score-line might suggest, as the Brummies booked their place in the semi-finals of the KO Cup at Somerset’s expense in last night’s 2nd leg of this quarter-final tie at Perry Barr.

Speedway races are run over 4 laps but on a track that offered just a single racing line and no opportunities to pass, there being two, perhaps three, genuine passing moves all match, the only part of the race that was important last night was the first 30 metres into the first bend, and this, unfortunately from a Somerset perspective, was where the Rebels were sadly lacking.

Going into the match 6 points down from last Friday’s home leg, Somerset needed a good start to the match, just as they had done in the League encounter between the two sides earlier in the month, if they were to stand any chance of causing an upset, but instead the Rebels got off to the worst possible start, conceding a maximum 5-1 in the opening heat, Jason Lyons and Steve Johnston taking full advantage of Christian Hefenbrock’s engine failure as the riders came off the first turn.

The next 8 heats then proceeded to be very much the same as the first with Birmingham riders being by far the quicker out of the gate which was all that was required to virtually assure them of the heat wins, the only exception being Cory Gathercole’s 2nd place in heat 4 and on the occasions when Aussie junior, Robert Branford, was programmed to ride, his rides being the time that a Birmingham rider finished in last place, leaving one to wonder just how much bigger Brummies’ final margin of victory might have been had their usual number 7, Kyle Newman, been fit to ride.

As it was, the match, and the tie as a whole, was over as a contest by the time the meeting reached the half-way stage, leaving the Rebels little else than pride to ride for, their travelling fans finally having something to cheer in heat 10 when skipper Shane Parker took the chequered flag for Somerset’s first heat winner of the night, but that, together with Somerset’s only heat advantage in heat 12, was definitely a case of far too little, far too late, Birmingham finishing off the tie as they had started it at Somerset the previous Friday with a maximum 5-1 heat win and a semi-final date with Newcastle.

Report courtesy Ian Belcher

Rye House 'Silver Ski' Rockets
versus
Somerset 'Dickies' Rebels
Premier League
Sunday 20th June 2010

Rye House Rockets – 53
1. Jordan Frampton 2*, 1*, 1*, 0 = 4+3
2. Luke Bowen 3, 2, 2*, 2, F = 9+1
3. Chris Neath 2*, 3, 1, 2 = 8+1
4. Stefan Ekberg 3, 2*, 3, 0 = 8+1
5. Linus Sundstrom 1, 2, 3, 2 = 8
6. Lee Strudwick 1, 0, 2*, 1 = 4+1
7. Kyle Hughes 3, 3, 3, 1*, 2 = 12+1

Somerset Rebels - 42
1. Christian Hefenbrock 1, flx, 1, 3 = 5
2. Ritchie Hawkins X, 1, 1, 0 = 2
3. Sam Masters 0, 6, 3, 3, F = 12
4. Shane Parker 1, 1, 0, 2* = 4+1
5. Cory Gathercole 2, 6^, 2, 1, 3 = 14
6. James Holder 0, 2, 0, 0, 0, 3 = 5
7. Mark Baseby flx, 0, 0 = 0

SCB Referee: Mick Bates

Heat Details

Heat 01: Bowen Frampton Hefenbrock Holder (Hawkins exl-2mins) 56.4 (5-1) (5-1)
Heat 02: (re-run) Hughes Holder Strudwick Baseby (fell-exl) 57.0 (4-2) (9-3)
Heat 03: Ekberg Neath Parker Masters (flrmnt) 56.9 (5-1) (14-4)
Heat 04: Hughes Gathercole Sundstrom Baseby 57.1 (4-2) (18-6)
Heat 05: (re-run) Neath Ekberg Hawkins Hefenbrock (fell-exl) 57.0 (5-1) (23-7)
Heat 06: Gathercole (tactical) Bowen Frampton Holder 56.8 (3-6) (26-13)
Heat 07: Masters (tactical) Sundstrom Parker Strudwick 57.2 (2-7) (28-20)
Heat 08: Hughes Bowen Hawkins Holder 57.7 (5-1) (33-21)
Heat 09: Ekberg Gathercole Neath Baseby 58.2 (4-2) (37-23)
Heat 10: Masters Bowen Frampton Parker 59.2 (3-3) (40-26)
Heat 11: (re-run) Sundstrom Strudwick Hefenbrock Hawkins 57.7 (5-1) (45-27)
Heat 12: Masters Neath Hughes Holder 58.2 (3-3) (48-30)
Heat 13: Hefenbrock Sundstrom Gathercole Frampton 57.8 (2-4) (50-34)
Heat 14: Holder Parker Strudwick Ekberg 59.2 (1-5) (51-39)
Heat 15: Gathercole Hughes Bowen (fell) Masters (fell) 59.1 (2-3) (53-42)

Just a few months ago the Somerset ‘Dickies’ Rebels came very close to pulling off a shock win at the Hoddesdon home of the Rye House Rockets, when they failed by just 4-points to take the spoils in that Premier Trophy match. Three months on, and with a full strength side, albeit a very different looking septet to their season opening line up, the Rebels must have been confident of taking at least a point from this league encounter.
Gone were the injured pair of Tommy Allen, and Jay Herne, and also missing was the ‘Scarlet Pimpernel’ that is Steve Boxall, who had gone AWOL, resigned, and was now reportedly retired from the sport. In their places came James Holder, Mark Baseby, and Friday’s debutant, Christian Hefenbrock.

Things did not get off to a good start for the Rebels, as Ritchie Hawkins only made it as far as the tapes. With a scant 30 seconds left of the two minute warning, Hawkins discovered his chain guide was loose, and without sufficient time to rectify the problem, he was replaced by James Holder in Heat 1. Things got even worse after the tape rise, with Christian Hefenbrock getting run to the fence in the first turn, following a level break. Despite putting up a spirited chase, Hefenbrock could never get back on terms with the Rockets pair, as Bowen and Frampton ran up an easy 5-1.

The Rebels were to give up four more advantages before they posted one of their own. Heat 2 going 4-2 to the Rockets, after Mark Baseby suffered two falls. Baseby must have known the writing was on the wall, as the first of his falls, and trip through the fence, took place on the fourth bend, on the way to the start! In the race he had made a good pass off the second bend to account for Lee Strudwick, and was in a comfortable third place, behind the fast starting Kyle Hughes, and team mate James Holder. He came down at almost the same spot as he had done on the way to the post, giving some indication for anyone who cared to notice, of the level of grip, or lack of it, on that part of the track.

Heat 3 went 5+1 to the Rockets, but not before Sam Masters had put in a tremendous chase, showing a preview of what was to come later, to almost snatch the lead, before he too succumb to the gripless third and fourth bends. Breaking in third place he harried Chris Neath wide, before switching back up the inside of the last bend on Lap 2. Neath took the place back as Masters got out of shape coming out of the second bend on the next lap, but Neath’s second spot was short lived, when Masters repeated his earlier move a lap on. He set off after Stefan Ekberg, making up a huge amount of ground on the back straight. As he came to challenge on the final two bends, he once again got out of shape, and with little grip to aid his recovery, span out on the final turn, leaving the Rockets to take the maximum.

Cory Gathercole could only take second spot in Heat 4. He broke level with Kyle Hughes and Linus Sundstrom, challenging Hughes for the lead on the second turn, after Sundstrom had run wide in Turn 1. Sundstrom recovered enough to challenge Gathercole on the final bend of Lap 3, but couldn’t take the place. Gathercole put in a strong run of his own on the final lap, just failing to nail Hughes on the line.

Heat 5 saw Chris Neath and Stefan Ekberg add a 5-1, but not before having to fight off a strong challenge from Christian Hefenbrock, who eventually became another victim of the final bend. The trio broke level, with Hefenbrock taking the wide line around the second turn. He came storming down the back straight, and was in the mix for the lead, when his back wheel let go on the very slick final bend. He was excluded from the re-run, which the Rockets took easily after Ekberg swallowed up Ritchie Hawkins off the final bend of the opening lap.

The Rebels hit back immediately when Cory Gathercole took the win, wearing the ‘Black and White’. Gathercole made the best of a level break to lead before the first turn, and then had to fight off the close attentions of Luke Bowen in the second bend. Once he had disposed of Bowen he was gone, taking 6-points in the process. Unfortunately for the Rebels James Holder could not get the better of Jordan Frampton, and the Rebels had to make do with a 3-6 advantage.

Still 13-points down the Rebels team managers wasted no time in sending out a second tactical rider, this time in the shape of Sam Masters. Like Gathercole before him, he made no mistakes in bringing home the win, blasting off the gate to lead by the first bend. Shane Parker made a great cut back off the first bend passing both Rockets to steal through into second place on the back straight. Parker held Linus Sundstrom at bay for three laps, as Masters made the best of his way home. Parker finally yielded to the Swede on the back straight. The resulting 2-7 brought the scores to 28-20, as the Rebels carved 8-points off the deficit in just two heats.

Their joy was short lived, with the Rockets blasted in their fourth maximum advantage in eight heats. Kyle Hughes and Luke Bowen gave the Rebels duo of Hawkins and Holder no chance as they jetted from the tapes to lead all the way. Ritchie Hawkins never gave up the chase on Bowen, but in the end could not close the gap.

Stefan Ekberg continued unbeaten by an opponent as he took the win in Heat 9. He broke fast alongside Chris Neath, leading from the line. Neath lost his place on the first turn, as Cory Gathercole cut up his inside. Mark Baseby repeated the trick as they exited the first turn, with Gathercole challenging on the outside Ekberg at the next. Ekberg held off the attack, and Neath took back third from Baseby as they ran down the back straight. From there on they all maintained station, until Gathercole ran wide on the final turn of Lap 3, it was the only dodgy moment for the Rebels flyer, but he soon had it back on track to take second.

Sam Masters ride in Heat 3 had given a little hint of what he could do, and in Heat 10 he showed everyone exactly what that was, and it was stunning. Finding himself in last place as the Rockets pair of Bowen and Frampton led off the first turn, he set off in pursuit. At the start of Lap 2 he went third, passing his team-mate, Shane Parker. He then ran down Jordan Frampton, and swooped passed on the outside of the home straight on Lap 3. He carried so much speed into the bend, he ran wide allowing Frampton back through. Frampton joined Bowen at the front, with Masters looking beaten, then from nowhere Masters conjured up a stunning burst of speed, cutting up the inside of the final turn, and flying to the flag, getting up in the shadow of the post, and share the points. Masters stunning ride drew deserved cheers and applause from home and away fan alike, fantastic stuff.

Heat 11 was started twice after Ritchie Hawkins hit the dirt, getting a big shove in the first turn. In the re-run the Rockets gated in front, with Linus Sundstrom leading off the opening turn. Lee Strudwick rode a good race to hold off Christian Hefenbrock, with Ritchie Hawkins retiring on the final lap.

Heat 12 was a case of ‘Play It Again Sam’, with Masters amazingly reproducing his last ride. A level break saw Chris Neath and Kyle Hughes make the bend first. James Holder cut inside Hughes at the first turn, and then Masters produced a smart cut back into the second turn to follow Holder through. Masters went passed Holder, challenging Neath on the back straight, but the Rockets skipper held him off. On the second lap, Hughes accounted for Holder, as Masters kept the pressure on Neath. Neath looked to have the measure of Masters inside runs, and as they approached the final bend he looked to have the win sewn up, especially as he had been joined by Kyle Hughes. Masters then produced another storming run, switching outside, and coming from a long way back, passing both Rockets, to grab the win right on the line. Masters brought the whole crowd to their feet for a second time, not bad for an away rider.

The momentum was now firmly with the Rebels, and they took Heat 13 with a 2-4 advantage. Christian Hefenbrock bolted from the gate to lead at the opener. Cory Gathercole roared around the outside of Linus Sundstrom in the first turn, and held him up just long enough for Hefenbrock to open a gap. Sundstrom hit back on the next bend, and shot after the 2006 German Champion. He chased hard, but Hefenbrock had his measure, although there was not much in it at the end. Behind them, Jordan Frampton came with a big run that just failed to produce a point. Hefenbrock took a nasty looking fall after the line, and ended up in an awkward looking heap against the fence on the first bend. After briefly being attended by the medical staff, he was soon on his feet, and walked back to the pits under his own steam.

The Rebels went one better in Heat 14, with James Holder flying from the gate to lead all the way. Shane Parker took up second place as Stefan Ekberg threw away his chance of a paid maximum, with a slow start, and then running very wide in the first turn. Parker rode a holding race behind fellow countryman, but at one point allowed Lee Strudwick through at the end of the lap. Strudwick’s challenge didn’t last long as Parker rounded him to re-gain second place of the second bend of Lap 2. Once back on Holders wheel, he never allowed the Sydney man to come under any pressure from the Rockets pair.

Heat 15 ended with the unusual score line of 2-3 to the Rebels, following falls from one rider from each team. The Rebels broke quickly, and by the first turn they were on a 5-1. All seemed to be going well, until Sam Masters lost it on the opening turn of the second lap, falling after a 360 degree spin, in an almost carbon copy of his Heat 15 fall at Glasgow recently. With the points now shared, the Rebels heat advantage was restored when Luke Bowen spun out three bends later, leaving Cory Gathercole to easily defeat Kyle Hughes.

The Rebels had a disastrous start, but came back in the second half to outscore the Rockets 20-21 in the final seven heats. Despite the slick track the meeting produced some great racing, especially from Sam Masters. Christian Hefenbrock also gave a pleasing display, and was unlucky not to add to his 5-point haul, on only his second ever visit to the Hoddesdon circuit. Cory Gathercole was superb, and his 14-point tally should see him well on the way to the Number One race jacket in the next set of averages.

The focus for the Rebels now switches to the Knock-Out Cup, a competition they won two years ago, with the second visit to the Oak Tree Arena for the Birmingham Brummies, in as many weeks.

Birmingham Brummies
versus
Somerset ‘Dickies’ Rebels
Premier League
Wednesday 2nd June 2010

BIRMINGHAM = 51
1. J Lyons - 3, 3, 2, 2*, 2* = 12+2
2. A Summers - 0, 0, 3, 1* = 4+1
3. J Sedgmen - 0, 1, 3, 2 = 6
4. R Sweetman - 1, 3, 2*, 3, 3 = 12+1
5. S Johnston - 3, 2, 3, 3 = 11
6. T Aarnio - 0, 0, 2*, 1* = 3+2
7. K Newman - 1, 1, 1, 0 = 3

SOMERSET = 39
1. L Tomicek - 1*, 0, 0 = 1+1
2. R Hawkins - 2, 2, 0, 1, 1 = 6
3. S Masters - 2*, 1*, 1, 0, 3, 1 = 8+2
4. S Parker - 3, 3, 1, 3, 2, 0 = 12
5. Cory Gathercole – Rider replacement
6. K Katajisto (G) - 3, 2, 2, 2, 0, R 1* = 10+1
7. M Baseby - 2*, 0, 0 = 2+1

SCB Referee: Darren Hartley

HEAT DETAILS

Heat 01: Lyons, Hawkins, Tomicek, Summers 58.2 (3-3) (3-3)
Heat 02: Katajisto, Baseby, Newman, Aarnio 60.2 (1-5) (4-8)
Heat 03: Parker, Masters, Sweetman, Sedgmen 59.9 (1-5) (5-13)
Heat 04: Johnston, Katajisto, Newman, Baseby (flrmnt) 59.6 (4-2) (9-15)
Heat 05: Sweetman, Hawkins, Sedgmen, Tomicek 59.4 (4-2) (13-17)
Heat 06: Lyons, Katajisto, Masters, Summers 59.5 (3-3) (16-20)
Heat 07: Parker, Johnston, Masters, Aarnio 59.4 (2-4) (18-24)
Heat 08: Summers, Katajisto, Newman, Hawkins 59.5 (4-2) (22-26)
Heat 09: Sedgmen, Sweetman, Parker, Katajisto 60.1 (5-1) (27-27)
Heat 10: Parker, Lyons, Summers, Masters 59.7 (3-3) (30-30)
Heat 11: Johnston, Aarnio, Hawkins, Baseby 61.0 (5-1) (35-31)
Heat 12: Masters, Sedgmen, Aarnio, Katajisto (ret) 60.0 (3-3) (38-34)
Heat 13: Johnston, Lyons, Hawkins, Tomicek 60.0 (5-1) (43-35)
Heat 14: Sweetman, Parker, Katajisto, Newman 59.7 (3-3) (46-38)
Heat 15: Sweetman, Lyons, Masters, Parker 60.6 (5-1) (51-39)

Somerset travelled to Birmingham without the services of Cory Gathercole and James Holder, both still sidelined with injury. The Rebels operated rider replacement for Gathercole and brought in Edinburgh’s Kalle Katajisto as guest replacement for Holder.

With the Brummies having virtually steam-rollered all and sundry so far this year, the Rebel hopes of a result from their visit to Perry Barr seemed slim, but fortune smiled upon them in the opening heat. With Birmingham seemingly heading towards a comfortable 5-1 race win, Aaron Summer’s bike gave up the ghost on him on the final bend, to gift the Rebels a share of the points.

That was nothing though compared to what happened in the next two heats as the Rebels scored maximum 5-1 race wins in them both. Katajisto showed what an inspired choice of guest he was, by the Somerset management, by winning heat 2, with Mark Baseby coming through into 2nd place. Shane Parker ad Sam Masters following suite in heat 3, it took Somerset into an early 13-5 lead.

The Brummies were quick to hit back though and had cut the deficit to four points by the time the riders came to the tapes for heat 7. In the event, Parker took his second race win and Sam Masters picked up a point for 3rd place, taking took the Rebels into a 24-18 lead as the match reached its half-way stage.

Heats 8 and 9 were, however, to be the catalyst that swung the match the way of the Brummies, as they brought the scores level at 27-all. Although a Parker victory in heat 10 gave the Rebels a share of the spoils, Birmingham were in the ascendency, and a maximum win for them in heat 11 took the home side into the lead for the first time in the match.

If the Brummies suffered misfortune with Summers’ engine failure in the opening heat, then things were evened up in heat 12 as Sam Masters and Katajisto sped away into the lead and a 5-1 heat win that would have brought the scores back level again, only for Katajisto to suffer an engine failure of his own, and although Masters went on to win the race, it meant that Birmingham were still 4 points to the good.

That quickly became an 8 point lead to the Brummies as they secured their 3rd maximum heat advantage in 5 races in heat 13, leaving Somerset looking for some sort of heat win themselves in heat 14 if they were to give themselves a fighting chance of taking any league points away from this match.

From the start it looked good for the Rebels as Parker got to the first turn in front, but that joy was short-lived as Richard Sweetman swept past the Somerset skipper as the riders came off the second bend. The resultant 3-3 heat score left Birmingham with their 8 point lead intact, and just the fifteenth and final heat to be run.

The Rebels needed a heat advantage of any sort to claim a league point for their efforts, but the home duo of Richard Sweetman and Jason Lyons were not going to let it slip, and they duly rounded off the match with another maximum heat win for the Brummies, to give them the match 51-39.

In the final analysis Somerset did much better than many had predicted and the final 12 point margin of defeat does not do justice to the way that they took the match to the Brummies, and could point to the fact that had Gathercole been fit to ride then he surely would have scored more than the paid 6 that the rider replacement rides provided. That would have put a totally different complexion on this match.

Glasgow ‘A Plant’ Tigers
versus
Somerset ‘Dickies’ Rebels

Premier League
Sunday 30th May 2010.

Glasgow Tigers = 47
1. Travis McGowan – 3, 3, 3, 3, 3 = 15
2. Lee Dicken – 1, 1, 3, 0 = 5
3. Michael Penfold - 0, 0, 0 = 0
4. James Grieves - 1, 3, 2, 2, 2* = 10+1
5. Josh Grajczonek - 1, 3, 2* = 6+1
6. Jamie Courtney - 3, 2, 0, 0, 2, 1* = 8+1
7. Anders Andersen - 2*, 1*, 0, 0 = 3+2

Somerset Rebels = 43
1. Lubos Tomicek - 2, 0, 2, 2, 1 = 7
2. Ritchie Hawkins - 0, 1*, 1*, 1*, R = 3+3
3. Sam Masters - 2*, 2, 3, 2, 3, Flx = 12+1
4. Shane Parker - 3, 2*, 3, 1*, 3, 1 = 13+2
5. Cory Gathercole – Rider Replacement
6. Kyle Howarth - 0, 0, 1, = 1
7. Mark Baseby - 1, 3, 2, 1, 0 = 7

SCB Referee: Jim McGregor

Heat Details

Heat 01: Travis McGowan, Lubos Tomicek, Lee Dicken, Ritchie Hawkins 56.9 (4-2)(4-2)
Heat 02: Jamie Courtney, Anders Andersen, Mark Baseby, Kyle Howarth 59.0 (5-1)(9-3)
Heat 03: Shane Parker, Sam Masters, James Grieves, Michael Penfold 58.6 (1-5)(10-8)
Heat 04: Mark Baseby, Jamie Courtney, Anders Andersen, Lubos Tomicek 56.9 (3-3)(13-11)
Heat 05: James Grieves, Lubos Tomicek, Ritchie Hawkins, Michael Penfold 59.1 (3-3)(16-14)
Heat 06: Travis McGowan, Sam Masters, Lee Dicken, Kyle Howarth 58.8 (4-2)(20-16)
Heat 07: Sam Masters, Shane Parker, Josh Grajczonek, Jamie Courtney 58.4 (1-5)(21-21)
Heat 08: Lee Dicken, Mark Baseby, Ritchie Hawkins, Anders Andersen 60.1 (3-3)(24-24)
Heat 09: Shane Parker, James Grieves, Kyle Howarth, Michael Penfold 58.8 (2-4)(26-28)
Heat 10: Travis McGowan, Sam Masters, Shane Parker, Lee Dicken 57.3 (3-3)(29-31)
Heat 11: Josh Grajczonek, Lubos Tomicek, Ritchie Hawkins, Jamie Courtney 58.8 (3-3)(32-34)
Heat 12: Sam Masters, Jamie Courtney, Mark Baseby, Anders Andersen 58.1 (2-4)(34-38)
Heat 13: Travis McGowan, Josh Grajczonek, Lubos Tomicek, Ritchie Hawkins (ret) 59.0 (5-1)(39-39)
Heat 14: Shane Parker, James Grieves, Jamie Courtney, Mark Baseby 59.0 (3-3)(42-42)
Heat 15: Travis McGowan, James Grieves, Shane Parker, Sam Masters (fell exl) 59.6 (5-1)(47-43)

Less than 24 hours earlier, the Somerset ‘Dickies’ Rebels hopes of taking anything from this fixture, let alone a point, were dealt a stunning blow with the injury to Cory Gathercole, causing his withdrawal from both the Berwick match, and this one. The only bright spot was the return of Sam Masters from the World U21 Team Cup qualifier in the Czech Republic. The Glasgow Tigers also had Josh Grajczonek at the same meeting, and arrangements were made to get them both back in time. As they flew back on an early flight, there equipment was brought back by road, and made it to the track, just 30 minutes after the riders arrived.

The meeting was run in front of a big crowd, as the Tigers management had given away a large number of free tickets for the meeting. Things didn’t start well for the Rebels, with the Tigers taking a heat advantage in the opener. Travis McGowan just got the better of Lubos Tomicek at the first turn, and then pulled clear to take an easy win. Behind them Ritchie Hawkins was making things difficult for Lee Dicken, but a big lift off the line had put him at an early disadvantage that he was unable to overcome.

Heat 2 saw the Tigers pile on more misery as the slammed in a full house. Three riders headed for the first turn together, with Jamie Courtney emerging in front. Behind him, Anders Andersen just got the better of Mark Baseby, but Baseby was not letting him have all his own way. He was all over the Swede, and challenged hard for the whole race. He got alongside on several occasion, and even got a wheel in front a couple of times, but Andersen just held him off.

The tables were turned in Heat 3, when Shane Parker returned to what had been his spiritual home for the last 6 years, and showed everyone just why he was elevated to legendary status by the Glasgow fans. He broke level with James Grieves, and then powered around the outside of his former team mate on the first two bends. As Parker pulled away, enter Sam Masters, cutting inside Grieve off the second bend. Masters held second until a lap later, when he locked up, and lost second spot to Grieves. He set off after Grieves, and swooped passed him on the home straight at the end of the lap. Once back in second, he had it under control, and followed home Parker for a maximum advantage.

Two shared heats followed, but it took three attempts, and an exclusion to get a result in the first of these. As Heat 4 reached the back straight, Jim McGregor called them back, after movement at the start. The restart got no further, but this time McGregor threw out Josh Grajczonek for moving at the start. In both running’s, Mark Baseby had made good starts, and this time was no different. Breaking level he cut back inside on the second bend, grabbing the lead. Lubos Tomicek came roaring around the outside, only to have his run blocked off by Anders Andersen. Baseby pulled clear of the Tigers pair to share the points.

Heat 5 was also re-started, with the Rebels on a 5-1, as Ritchie Hawkins had passed James Grieves on the second bend to join Lubos Tomicek, who was taking the rider replacement ride, in the lead. In the second start, Grieves got the better of a level run to the bend with Tomicek. Hawkins was slowly away, but was soon in a points scoring position as he cut inside bend two to grab third. Grieves ran out the winner, despite Tomicek chasing him hard, and getting in a challenge on the third turn of the opener.

McGowan took his second win in Heat 6, with a fast start that saw him just outrun Sam Masters to the turn. Masters put in a wide run that blocked the challenge of Lee Dicken. Kyle Howarth recovered from a slow start to put in a spirited challenge to Dicken on the second turn, but the experience Tigers skipper held him off. Masters, in as rider replacement, put in a strong chase on McGowan, but could never get back on terms.

The Rebels brought the scores level in Heat 7, as Masters and Parker blasted from the gate, with Masters just getting the lead off the second turn. Masters pulled clear, as Parker easily held off a late challenge from Josh Grajczonek. Heat 8 was shared, but produced an enthralling race, as the Rebels trapped out on a 2-4 advantage. Mark Baseby took up the early running, as he ran Dicken wide on the opening bend. Dicken locked up and let Hawkins through, but was soon back in second on the back straight. He was in front off the final bend, as he cruised by Baseby. Behind them, Hawkins and Anders Andersen were having a battle royal, passing and re-passing each other for three laps until Hawkins finally made the move stick.

Shane Parker took the rider replacement for Heat 9, and once again showed that he knew the fastest way around the Hawthorne Road circuit. He broke level with James Grieves, but it was Grieves who got the best run around the turn. Kyle Howarth, who had made changes in his set up, made a good start, and grabbed third spot inside Michael Penfold on the second bend. Grieves pulled out a good lead on the opening lap, but he figured without the man the local fans christened ‘The Messiah’. Parker came from a long way back, producing a stunning run that started on the second bend of Lap 2, and was completed as he took the inside line around the final two bends of the lap. Once in front Grieves had no answer to him, and he won with something in hand. As Parker rounded the final turn, he was clearly delighted, giving a victory salute to the small band of Somerset fans gathered there. The 2-4 advantage gained as Kyle Howarth took third gave the Rebels a 2-point lead, 26-28.

Two more shared heats followed, with the wins both going to Tigers riders. Travis McGowan added a third win to his total, as he took Heat 10, after getting the better of a level break with Sam Masters and Shane Parker. Lee Dicken gave chase to the Rebels pair, and threw in a challenge on the fourth bend, but could not improve his position. Masters set off after McGowan, but had no answer to his speed as ‘The Moose’ pulled clear.

Josh Grajczonek was another to get the advantage from a level break, taking Heat 11 in the process. On the receiving end of Grajczonek’s win, Lubos Tomicek just took second from team mate, Ritchie Hawkins, after passing him off the second bend. The Rebels increased their lead to 4-points in Heat 12, as Sam Masters added his second win of the day. Jamie Courtney made a fast break inside Masters, but he had no answer to the former Australian Under-16 Champion’s pace to the turn. Mark Baseby made a neat cut back inside Anders Andersen on the second turn to take third spot from the Swede. Baseby chased Courtney hard, but could not make headway on the Tigers man, but he’d done enough to ensure the advantage for the visitors.

The match was all square following Heat 13, as Travis McGowan made it four wins in four starts. All four riders broke level, as they reached the bend, the Tigers pair just showed in the lead. Josh Grajczonek showed Hawkins the wide line, as Lubos Tomicek challenged on the inside of the second bend. Having stopped Hawkins run, Grajczonek saw off Tomicek, and it was job done for the Tigers. Hawkins had been struggling with flat engines over the weekend, and he retired from this race on the second lap.

The match score didn’t change after Heat 14, which was taken in fine style by Shane Parker. He led every yard of the way, and won untroubled, accounting for James Grieves for a second time. Mark Baseby had ridden a great meeting, but on this occasion he was beaten to the drop by Jamie Courtney, however he never gave up the chase, and pushed the Ashington born rider all the way, any slip by Courtney and Baseby would have been through.

With 1-point at least assured, the Rebels were looking for the win, as they tracked Shane Parker, and his young compatriot, Sam Masters in the nominated heat. The Tigers sent out the unbeaten Travis McGowan and James Grieves as their pairing. As the tapes rose it was McGowan and Parker who made the break, with McGowan just getting the advantage of the inside gate. As Sam Masters tried to make up ground on the outside, he got a big lift as he rounded the opening turn. As the front wheel came down it buckled and threw Masters to the ground, and he was excluded as the cause of the stoppage.

In the re-run the three remaining riders entered the first turn three abreast. James Grieves pushed the other two wide, as he took up the running from McGowan. Parker was on their tail, and put in an impressive chase, never letting the Tigers pair rest on their laurels. It needed a faultless team ride to keep Parker at bay, and that is what they produced, with Grieves just easing off to allow McGowan through for his first full maximum in Tigers colours, and giving the Tigers a 4-point win, 47-43, in an enthrallingly close match that had the large crowd on the edge of their seats.

After the loss of Gathercole, which no doubt had a bearing on the result, the point gained for losing by just 4-points was very welcome, but also a disappointing end to what could have been. On the bright side, Shane Parker’s Ashfield return produced a 13+2-point haul. Also Sam Masters produced a stunning performance, including two heat wins, on a track he’d never laid eyes on before. It was even more creditable when you consider that he was competing in the Czech Republic less than 24 hours before. Mark Baseby put his previous nights disappointing display behind him to post a very praiseworthy 7-point return, also including a heat win. Lubos Tomicek gave his best away performance of the season so far, as he produced a fighting 7-point tally. While Kyle Howarth’s afternoon may have looked a little disappointing, after his Berwick performance, it was actually quite encouraging. He had been using the set ups he’d used when winning a Junior Individual meeting at Ashfield last October. What he hadn’t realised was that he is a much faster rider these days, and needed to compensate for that in his current settings, once he found the right set up he was in the points.

Cory Gathercole is expected to return next Friday against Stoke, but in the meantime the Rebels have a date with the Birmingham Brummies on Wednesday, where they will do battle with two of last year’s Rebels septet, in Steve Johnston and Justin Sedgmen. With the Brummies riding high at the moment The Rebels will have their work cut out at Perry Barr.

Berwick ‘A & J Scott Ltd’ Bandits
versus
Somerset ‘Dickies’ Rebels

Premier League
Saturday 29th May 2010

BERWICK BANDITS = 58
1. Adrian Rymel - 3, 1, 3, 2* = 9+1
2. Lee Complin - 2*, X, 2, 1 = 5+1
3. Michal Rajkowski - 1, 2*, 2*, 1 = 6+2
4. Paul Clews - 3, 3, 3, 3, 2 = 14+0
5. Michal Makovsky – 1*, 2, 3, 3, 1* = 10+2
6. Jade Mudgway – 3, 1*, 2*, 1 = 7+2
7. Adam McKinna (G) - 2*, 2, 0, 3 = 7+1

SOMERSET REBELS = 35
1. Lubos Tomicek - 0, 0, 1, 1, 0 = 2+0
2. Ritchie Hawkins - 1, 1, 1, X, R^ = 3+0
3. Sam Masters – Rider Replacement
4. Shane Parker - 2, 6^, 2, 2, 3 = 15+0
5. Cory Gathercole - 3, 3, W/D = 6+0
6. Kyle Howarth (G) - 1, 0, 2*, 3, 1, 2, R = 9+1
7. Mark Baseby - 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, = 0+0
8. James McBain – DNR

Heat 01: Adrian Rymel, Lee Complin, Ritchie Hawkins, Lubos Tomicek 64.8 (5-1) (5-1)
Heat 02: Jade Mudgway, Adam McKinna, Kyle Howarth, Mark Baseby (ret) 68.8 (5-1) (10-02)
Heat 03: Paul Clews, Shane Parker, Michal Rajkowski, Kyle Howarth 65.8 (4-2) (14-04)
Heat 04: Cory Gathercole, Adam McKinna, Michal Makovsky, Mark Baseby 65.4 (3-3) (17-07)
Heat 05: Paul Clews, Michal Rajkowski, Ritchie Hawkins, Lubos Tomicek 66.8 (5-1) (22-08)
Heat 06: Cory Gathercole, Kyle Howarth, Adrian Rymel (15 metres), Lee Complin (exl) (Aw) (1-5) (23-13)
Heat 07: Shane Parker (tactical), Michal Makovsky, Jade Mudgway, Mark Baseby 66.8 (3-6) (26-19)
Heat 08: Kyle Howarth, Lee Complin, Ritchie Hawkins, Adam McKinna 67.1 (2-4) (28-23)
Heat 09: Paul Clews, Michal Rajkowski, Kyle Howarth, Mark Baseby 66.1 (5-1) (33-24)
Heat 10: Adrian Rymel, Shane Parker, Lee Complin, Mark Baseby 65.6 (4-2) (37-26)
Heat 11: Michal Makovsky, Jade Mudgway, Lubos Tomicek, Ritchie Hawkins (exl) 66.5 (5-1) (42-27)
Heat 12: Adam McKinna, Kyle Howarth, Michal Rajkowski, Ritchie Hawkins (tactical) (ret) 68.1 (4-2) (46-29)
Heat 13: Michal Makovsky, Adrian Rymel, Lubos Tomicek, Kyle Howarth (ret) 66.5 (5-1) (51-30)
Heat 14: Paul Clews, Shane Parker, Jade Mudgway, Mark Baseby 66.4 (4-2) (55-32)
Heat 15: Shane Parker, Paul Clews, Michal Makovsky, Lubos Tomicek 65.9 (3-3) (58-35)

The Berwick Bandits started this encounter in hot form, as they hammered in two 5-1’s and a 4-2 to leave the Rebels reeling from the off. With Sam Masters still in the Czech Republic, and Friday’s guest Dakota North not available, The Somerset ‘Dickies Rebels drafted in promising Manchester based youngster, Kyle Howarth into the line up.

Adrian Rymel and the recently returned Lee Complin took Heat 1 easily after flying from the gates to lead all the way. Ritchie Hawkins took up second spot inside at the second bend, but could never get in a blow.

Heat 2 went much the same way, as the Bandits took an easy win in the later stages, but that was not before Kyle Howarth made his present felt in some early skirmishes with Bandits guest Adam McKinna. Howarth harried McKinna, but could not get back in to second spot.

Bandits captain Paul Clews took Heat 3 when he trapped out with Shane Parker. Getting the better run around the first turn, Clews held off Parker’s challenge for all four laps, with Michal Rajkowski talking the minor place. The Rebels posted their first win of the meeting after a hard fought first bend, including much elbow work, between Cory Gathercole and Michal Makovsky. Gathercole swept around the outside of both Bandits, taking the win from Adam McKinna, who went second on the back straight. Mark Baseby gave chase to a very erratic Makovsky, but could not get passed despite the Czech riders inexplicably novice like display.

The Bandits answered with another 5-1 in Heat 5, as Paul Clews swept around the outside of the field to win easily. Ritchie Hawkins did not let Michal Rajkowski have it all his own way, but with his machines still looking under powered he was unable to use the big Shielfield circuit to its best advantage.

Heat 6 brought mixed emotions for the Rebels as they took the heat 5-1, but only because the race was awarded following a crash that claimed Cory Gathercole, and prevented his further participation in the match.

The race was restarted after Adrian Rymel had gone through the tapes. In the restart, Complin and Gathercole contested the early exchanges, with Complin just getting the better run around the opener. Gathercole was all over him, as he gradually worked a position for the overtaking manoeuvre. As lap 3 closed he cut back inside from high up the banking, and as he got up the inside Complin, the Cowling born rider appeared to shut the door on him, leaving Gathercole nowhere to go. Gathercole crashed into the back of Complin, taking a hard fall, and damaging his shoulder in the process. The referee excluded Complin for the crash, but a decidedly second hand Gathercole said afterwards that it was just a racing incident, and he thought Complin had locked up, which resulted in him stopping in front of him. Behind the main action, Kyle Howarth was riding a terrific race to hold off a charging Rymel, and even had the race run its full course he would have done so.

Heat 7 brought out the ‘Black and White’ for the Rebels, with Shane Parker the wearer. He made no mistake, leading every yard of the way, from the Bandits pair of Makovsky and Jade Mudgway.

Kyle Howarth rode a superb race to take his maiden Premier League in Heat 8. Adam McKinna trapped in the lead with Kyle Howarth close up. Howarth took up the running on the second turn, and Ritchie Hawkins followed him through. Lee Complin closed down on Hawkins and powered to second place on the opening turn of the second lap. He chased after Howarth, but the 16-year-old was not going to allow Complin to spoil the party, and he easily held on to take the win.

Without Gathercole the Rebels were now up against it in an already difficult match, and it showed in the second half of the meeting, as they were unable to post a heat advantage. In fact the Rebles were only able to post one more win, that coming in the heat.

Heat 9 went 5-1 to the Bandits, with Paul Clews adding his third unbeaten ride. Behind him it was all Michal Rajkowski could do to hold off a rampaging Kyle Howarth. The following heat saw the Rebels take a second spot, with Shane Parker just losing out in the first turn to Michal Makovsky. Despite chasing hard, he could make no impression on a track were any kind of meaningful passing was extremely difficult.

Another 5-1 followed, as Ritchie Hawkins lifted off the line, and Lubos Tomicek gave up an early good position to the Bandits on the back straight. As they entered the back straight, Hawkins again lifted badly, looped the bike, and crashed out. In the re-run, Tomicek was again well away, only to suffer a similar fate to the one he had in the first running, however he did get as far as the third lap before he fully capitulated.

Kyle Howarth continued his good form with a second pace in Heat 12. Once more Ritchie Hawkins got a lift off the start, and Howarth was passed by Rajkowski in turn one. Howarth fought back, and was chasing hard when Rajkowski unexpectedly slowed. Taking advantage he shot through, and easily held off the Pole, when the latter got going again to challenge late in the race. Ritchie Hawkins bad luck continued as his bike expired on the third turn, and to make matters worse, he was carrying the ‘Black and White’ at the time.

Heat 13 went 5-1 to the Bandits as Rymel and Makovsky took the heat untroubled by a Rebel. Paul Clews added another unbeaten run to his tally in the fourteenth heat, just getting over Shane Parker on the first turn. Parker was on his case all four laps, but there was no way passed the Bandits skipper.

He made no mistake in Heat 15, when not only did he take the win, for a share of the points; he took Paul Clews unbeaten record, and prevented any Bandit scoring a maximum. Clews broke well, but he had no answer to Parkers powerful outside swoop around the 0pening two turns. Once at the front he showed great speedway to pull clear of Clews, and win unchallenged.

So all in all a bad night for the Rebels, with their loss of Cory Gathercole curtailing the scoring potential, and rider replacement not adding to the points. The upsides were the continued good form of Shane Parker, and the emergence of Kyle Howarth as a credible guest for the injured James Holder. With the problems encountered here, The Rebels trip to Glasgow now takes on a different complexion of that expected just 24 hours earlier.

Redcar Bears 41

Somerset ‘Dickies’ Rebels 51
Premier League
Thursday 20th May

The Somerset ‘Dickies’ Rebels made the long trek North-East on Thursday evening, but were rewarded with a stunning victory over the Redcar Bears, though the win came at a price with reserve James Holder forced to withdraw from the meeting after his first two rides with what was later diagnosed as a dislocated shoulder, an injury that could keep him sidelined for at least the next couple of weeks.

After winning the opening heat, Holder coming in for Ritchie Hawkins who was excluded for a tapes infringement, he was lying in 2nd place in heat 2 when he was clattered from behind by Redcar’s Gary Irving, and although Irving was excluded and Holder awarded 2nd place, it was the last part he was to play in the match.

Rather than this setback knocking the confidence of the remaining Rebels, it seemed to galvanise the team, and they were never headed after they first got their noses in front in heat 3, with skipper Shane Parker taking the race win and although Sam Masters just got pipped on the line by Redcar’s Gary Havelock for 2nd place, his point for 3rd was enough for a Somerset lead.

With skipper Shane Parker in supreme form in racing to his second maximum of the season in Rebel colours, and Cory Gathercole dropping just two points to the opposition from his five rides, the pair were ably backed up by Ritchie Hawkins and Sam Masters, so much so that the home riders never got a look in.

The Rebels domination was such that Redcar’s first heat advantage did not come until they used the double point tactical move in heat 11, and that, coupled with the fact that Somerset provided 10 of the 15 race winners tells its own tale.

Even though the match was won for the Rebels by the time the riders came to the tapes for heat 15, the Somerset duo of Parker and Gathercole certainly left the best to last. After finding themselves at the back as the four riders exited the second turn on the opening lap, Gathercole simply sliced his way between the Redcar pairing of Havelock and Bager, whilst almost simultaneously Parker serenely passed everyone on the inside and in the blink of an eye what had looked to be a possible 5-1 for the home side had turned into a 5-1 for the Rebels and with it victory by that 10 point winning margin, earning Somerset 4 valuable Premier League points.

Scorers:

Redcar: 1) Henning Bager 6+1 (5r); 2) rider replacement – Ben Wilson; 3) Tomas Suchanek 4+1 (5r); 4) Gary Havelock 9 (5r); 5) Emiliano Sanchez 12 (5r); 6) Gary Irving 1 (3r); 7) Stuart Swales 9+3 (7r)

Somerset: 1) Lubos Tomicek 2 (4r); 2) Ritchie Hawkins 7+1 (4r); 3) Sam Masters 6+1 (4r); 4) Shane Parker 13+2 (5r); 5) Cory Gathercole 13 (5r); 6) James Holder 5 (2r); 7) Mark Baseby 5+2 (7r)

Report courtesy of Ian Belcher

Stoke ‘Easy Rider’ Potters
versus
Somerset ‘Dickies’ Rebels
Premier League

Stoke Potters = 52
1. Jason Lyons (G) - 1*, 3, 3, 1, 2 = 10+1
2. Klaus Jakobsen – Rider Replacement
3. Ricky Wells - ret, 2, flx = 2
4. Adam Roynon - flx, fl, 1 = 1
5. Hynek Stichauer - 3, 3, 2*, 3, 1* = 12+2
6. Lee Smart - 2, 2*, 0, 2, 3, 3, 2* = 14+2
7. Taylor Poole - 3, 1, 1, 1*, 2*, 2*, 3 = 13+3
8. Ben Hopwood - Dnr

Somerset Rebels = 37
1. Lubos Tomicek - 3, 1, 1, 0 = 5
2. Sam Masters – Rider Replacement
3. Ritchie Hawkins - 2*, 3, 2, 1, 1, 0 = 9+1
4. Shane Parker - 3, 1*, 0, 1^ = 5+1
5. Cory Gathercole - 2, 2, 3, 2*, 2, 3 = 14+1
6. James Holder - 0, 1, 0, 3, 0, F = 4
7. Mark Baseby - 0, 0, 0 = 0
8. Kyle Howarth - 0 = 0

SCB Referee: Margaret Vardy.

Heat Details

Heat 01: Tomicek, Smart, Lyons, Holder (3-3) (3-3) 62.5
Heat 02: Poole, Smart, Holder, Baseby (5-1) (8-4) 61.8
Heat 03: Parker, Hawkins, Roynon (fell-exl), Wells (ret) (0-5) (8-9) Awarded
Heat 04: (re-run) Stichauer, Gathercole (15mts), Poole, Baseby (4-2) (12-11)
Heat 05: Hawkins, Wells, Tomicek, Roynon (flrmnt - fell) (2-4) (14-15) 63.6
Heat 06: Lyons, Gathercole, Poole, Holder (4-2) (18-17) 62.6
Heat 07: Stichauer, Hawkins, Parker, Smart (3-3) (21-20) 63.8
Heat 08: Gathercole, Smart, Poole, Baseby (3-3) (24-23) 63.8
Heat 09 (re-Run): Holder, Gathercole, Roynon, Wells (fell-exl) (1-5) 25-28 64.3
Heat 10: Lyons, Poole, Hawkins, Parker (5-1) (30-29) 63.1
Heat 11: Smart, Stichauer, Tomicek, Howarth (5-1) (35-30) 64.8
Heat 12: Smart, Poole, Hawkins, Holder (5-1) (40-31) 64.5
Heat 13: Stichauer, Gathercole, Lyons, Tomicek (4-2) (44-33) 64.2
Heat 14: Poole, Smart, Parker (tactical), Holder (Fell) (5-1) (49-34) 65.2
Heat 15: Gathercole, Lyons, Stichauer, Hawkins (3-3) (52-37) 64.3

The Somerset ‘Dickies’ Rebels visits to Stoke have, over the years, proved to be something of a mixed bag, and Saturday’s encounter did not waver from the norm. There was excitement, incident, and superb racing to be had, but from a Rebels point of view it all ended in major disappointment after a more than promising start.

The match was a pretty close fought affair over the first ten heats, but after that the Rebels somehow managed to let it slip from their grip. Both sides used rider replacement, The Stoke Potters, for Klaus Jakobsen, who has gone missing from Loomer Road amid rumours of retirement from the sport. Although recent reports suggest he has ridden in his native Denmark since his disappearance from the British scene. The Rebels once more used the facility for Sam Masters, who was competing in a round of the World U21 Championship. The Rebels tracked Kyle Howarth at Number Eight, and their latest signing, in James Holder, recently released by…Stoke!

In the opening heat the Rebels pair of Lubos Tomicek and James Holder shot from the start, and lead for two laps. Going onto the third circuit Holder caught a rut, locking up and allowing Lee Smart passed on the back straight. Holder’s loss of momentum gave Jason Lyons the opportunity to do the same at the end of the lap, and share the points.

Taylor Poole has been hauling in the points since he joined Stoke in the winter, and in Heat 2 he showed exactly why. Leaving the gate in third spot he was soon in full flow, and steamed around the outside of both Lee Smart and James Holder coming off the second bend. Once in front he pulled clear to win by a long way, in a blazingly fast 61.8 sec, the fastest time of the night. He was followed home by his team mate, who beat James Holder to second spot to claim a full house for the home team.

The Rebels were soon on terms again, posting five unanswered points in Heat 3. Adam Roynon, recently arrived from the Workington Comets, and Shane Parker broke together, before Parker breezed by Roynon on the wide line off the second turn. Ricky Wells got no further than the second lap, as his machine expired going into the second turn. Ritchie Hawkins recovered from a slow start, closing on Roynon before he slipped through up the inside of the fourth bend of the third lap. Roynon challenged back as they reached the second bend of the last lap, driving down the outside. The pair were level entering the last two bends, only for Roynon to overcook it, and end up on the floor. The race was awarded with only the Rebels collecting points.

In the next three heats the sides swapped 4-2’s, with the Potters having the better of the exchanges. Since his arrival at Loomer Road, Hynek Stichauer can hardly have been described as ‘pulling up trees’ , but his performance here was to be totally different. Taking advantage of Cory Gathercole relegation to 15 metres for touching the tape in the original start, he flew from the tapes, with Taylor Poole in close attendance. By bend three Gathercole was passed his partner, Mark Baseby, and was off after Poole. He caught Poole and shot up the inside to pass on the second bend of Lap 2. He showed stunning speed over the next two laps, running down Stichauer with every turn of the wheel. In the end the Czech had just too much in hand, and he held on by a fast diminishing margin.

In Heat 5 the Rebels trapped on a full house, but before they had got to the back straight, both Ricky Wells and Adam Roynon were passed Lubos Tomicek. Roynon then went second and chased down Ritchie Hawkins in the lead, and was upsides when he fell in exactly the same place as his previous race. He remounted, but retired when well behind on the third lap. Hawkins took an easy win, and the Rebels a 1-point lead.

Jason Lyons and Gory Gathercole broke level for Heat 6, and rode an extremely hard bend, with elbows flying and neither wanting to give way. The pair swapped places for the next lap and a half, until Lyons just got the upper hand. Gathercole never gave up, and chased Lyons hard, ensuring that if a mistake occurred he was in prime position to make the most of it, but never got back on terms. Taylor Poole took third to give the Potters back the lead by the single point.

Two more shared heats followed, with both teams providing the heat winners. In Heat 7 it was Stichauer who added his second win of the night. He broke level with Ritchie Hawkins, and it was the Peterborough born rider who made the best bend, running wide around the Potters man. Shane Parker gave chase, challenging for second place in the home straight. Stichauer fought of the Rebels skipper, pulling away and closing the gap on Hawkins. He showed so much speed that he was passed and in the lead down the backs straight, holding off Hawkins determined chase in the process.

Heat 8 went to Cory Gathercole who led all the way after riding a superb second bend to lead onto the back straight. Lee Smart and Taylor Poole chased hard, but never got close enough to challenge for the win.

Heat 9 put the Rebels in the driving seat, when they lead all the way to take a full house, but they had to do the hard work twice. In the original running Cory Gathercole and James Holder shot from the line to lead well. On the third turn Ricky Wells fell. He was up quickly, and clearing the track, when the probationary referee put on the red lights with the riders at the other end of the track. In the re-start the Rebels again made a good start, this time with Holder leading up. Gathercole made a mistake, locking up on the opening bends, allowing Roynon through. Gathercole was soon running hard, and cruised up the inside of Roynon on the fourth bend. From there on it was all Rebels as the pair took an easy maximum advantage.

Unfortunately that was as good as it got for the Rebels, from that point on their challenge fell apart in spectacular fashion, as they didn’t return another heat advantage in the final six heats. The rot started in Heat 10 after Ritchie Hawkins lead around the opening turn, only to be passed on the wide outside of the next bend by Jason Lyons, and then down the back straight by Taylor Poole. That was it as far as the race went, with Shane Parker at the back never getting in any kind of blow.

Heat 11 went a similar way, with Lee Smart, Lubos Tomicek and Hynek Stichauer breaking together. As the riders approached the first turn, it was the Potters who got the upper hand, with Tomicek allowing himself to be tamely squeezed out. Kyle Howarth, in as rider replacement, soon got into third place, until Tomicek took the place back late in the race.

The Potters slammed in a hat-trick of 5-1’s in the next heat, but not before Ritchie Hawkins had led them with a run right around the field on the opening turns. He led until the final stages of the third lap, when first Lee Smart closed and powered passed on a wide line, and then a lap later Taylor Poole repeated the move in the dying stages.

Heat 13 provided a ray of hope for the Rebels as Cory Gathercole prevented another full house, and gave Somerset a mathematical chance of a draw. Lubos Tomicek blasted from the gate to lead, but it was short live as both Potters flew passed him on the final bends of the lap, with Stichauer taking the outside route, and Lyons the short way round. Gathercole was soon passed, and chased hard, closing down Lyons, catching him, and passing wide on the opening bends of the final lap. Lyons tried hard to grab the place back, but his efforts were hampered by a big lift as he ran onto the back straight. Gathercole set off after Stichauer, but the line came too soon, even for the flying Aussie.

The Rebels did the only thing they could in Heat 14, sending out Shane Parker in the ‘Black and White’, and switching reserves, with Holder taking the ride. Lee Smart got a flyer, missed by the referee, and it was all over for the Rebels. James Holder was not far behind Smart, but soon had the tiger, that is Taylor Poole, on his tail. Poole caught and passed Holder in the opening turns of the next lap, before Holder fell a lap later. Parker never got in the hunt, as the tactical ride went west.

In the final heat Cory Gathercole turned on the power, and gave the crowd a finish to remember. However it takes two to make a race, and that second person was Jason Lyons. Lyons led out of the gate, with Gathercole giving chase. He flew down the back straight, and somehow managed to squeeze under Lyons on the final bend of the lap. Lyons wasn’t giving up the place easily, and set about winning it back, but Gathercole showed some blinding speed, and stuck to the fence like a limpet. He was super fast, and often looked out of control, but what a ride to end the night on, it was stunning stuff as he held off the rampaging Lyons to share the points, as the Potters took a 52-37 win.

The Potters owed their win in no small part to their two reserves, providing 27 paid 32 between them. A great guest in Jason Lyons and a rejuvenated Hynek Stichauer ably assisted them. It was a huge disappointment for the Rebels after leading by three at Heat 9, as they still look short of some top end scoring power, especially away from home. Cory Gathercole and Ritchie Hawkins were the highlights, with disappointing performances from Shane Parker and Lubos Tomicek, especially with Sam Masters missing from the line up.

The Rebels visit Redcar on Thursday and the return fixture is the following evening at the Oak Tree Arena. The Bears have not had a good start to the season, but as Stoke showed you can’t always rely on a team to remain in poor form, and the Rebels will need to be back on the top of their game in these encounters with the North East outfit.

Scunthorpe ‘Henderson Insurance’ Scorpions
v
Somerset ‘Dickies’ Rebels

Premier League

Scunthorpe Scorpions = 56
1. David Howe - 3, 1, 3, 3, 2* = 12+1
2. Viktor Bergstrom – Rider Replacement
3. Paul Cooper [G] - 2*, 2, 1*, 1 = 6+2
4. Carl Wilkinson - 3, flx, 1, 2, 1 = 7
5. Magnus Karlsson - 3, 3, 1, 2*, 3 = 12+1
6. Jerran Hart - 2*, 3, 3, 0, 3, 3 = 14+1
7. Simon Lambert - 1, 2*, 1, 1, 0 = 5+1

Somerset Rebels = 40
1. Shane Parker - 1, 3, 0, 1 = 5
2. Steve Boxall – Rider Replacement
3. Sam Masters - 0, 1, 2, 2, 6^, 1 = 12
4. Lee Dicken [G] - 0, 1, F, 0 = 1
5. Cory Gathercole - 1, 2, 6^, 3, flx, 0 = 12
6. Ritchie Hawkins - 2, flx, 2*, 0, 2, 2*, 2 = 10+2
7. Mark Baseby - 0, 0, 0 = 0
8. Kyle Howarth - DNR

SCB Referee: Graham Flint

Heat Details

Heat 01: (Re-run) Howe, Hart, Parker, Dicken (5-1) (5-1) 56.95
Heat 02: Hart, Hawkins, Lambert, Baseby (4-2) (9-3) 57.15
Heat 03: Wilkinson, Cooper, Dicken, Masters (5-1) (14-4) 59.32
Heat 04: Karlsson, Lambert, Gathercole, Baseby (5-1) (19-5) 58.14
Heat 05: (Re-run) Parker, Cooper, Masters, Wilkinson (fell – excluded) (2-4) (21-9) 58.34
Heat 06: (Re-run) Hart, Gathercole, Howe, Hawkins (fell – excluded) (4-2) (25-11) 58.15
Heat 07: (Re-run) Karlsson, Masters, Lambert (4-2) (29-13) AWD
Heat 08: Gathercole (tactical), Hawkins, Wilkinson, Hart (1-8) (30-21) 58.04
Heat 09: Gathercole, Wilkinson, Cooper, Hawkins (3-3) (33-24) 58.59
Heat 10: Howe, Masters, Lambert, Dicken (4-2) (37-26) 58.50
Heat 11: Hart, Hawkins, Karlsson, Parker (4-2) (41-28) 58.68
Heat 12: Masters (tactical), Hawkins, Cooper, Lambert (1-8) (42-36) 58.87
Heat 13: Howe, Karlsson, Parker (5-1) (47-37) 58.42
Heat 14: Hart, Hawkins, Wilkinson, Baseby (4-2) (51-39) 58.54
Heat 15: Karlsson, Howe, Masters, Gathercole (5-1) (56-40) 58.10

Over the past couple of seasons the Somerset ‘Dickies’ Rebels results at the Eddie Wright Raceway have been up and down, and Bank Holiday Monday’s encounter did not fall into the former category as far as the Rebels were concerned. Both sides fielded depleted sides, with the Scorpions using rider replacement, and Paul Cooper as cover for Joel Parsons and Viktor Bergstrom. The Rebels used Lee Dicken for Brent Werner, and the replacement facility for Steve Boxall.

The Scorpions jumped to an early 14-point lead as they blitzed the Rebels from the gate, taking three 5-1’s in the first four heats, coupled with a 4-2 advantage to put the visitors under extreme pressure. With their superior gating the Scorpions had the advantage over the Rebels despite the latter never being far from their back wheels, but with the exception of Ritchie Hawkins in Heat 2, no one could get amongst the Scunthorpe riders.

The Rebels first breakthrough came in the re-run of Heat 5. In the original running the Scorpions had made the better break, but Shane Parker was soon in the mix, and was pressing hard when Carl Wilkinson took an unexpected fall after his machine developed electrical problems. In the re-run Paul Cooper got a quick start, but he had no answer to Parkers inside move on the back straight. Sam masters threw down his challenge in the same place some three laps later, but could not follow his skipper through for the full house.

The Scorpions hit back straight away with two more 4-2’s. Ritchie Hawkins looked like he might get in the shake up in Heat 6, but he came to grief as he tried to round David Howe and take second spot on the second turn of Lap 2. With his exclusion it was up to Cory Gathercole to share the points. David Howe broke first with Gathercole throwing in his challenge up the inside of bend three. Howe cleverly blocked the run, clamping Gathercole to the kerb, allowing Hart through to the lead. Gathercole didn’t give up, and fought back to take Howe on the Lap 3, but by then hart was long gone.

Sam Masters took second in the next heat, but had looked as though he might be part of the first Rebels 5-1 of the day, until Magnus Karlsson effortlessly guided up the inside of Lee Dicken on the opening bend of Lap 2. Karlsson then produced a great outside run to grab the lead from Masters at the end of the same lap. Simon Lambert then piled on the misery as he too went passed Dicken as Lap 3 closed, before the Glasgow Tigers skipper took a fall as they ran onto the final lap.

With the Rebels now 16-points down it was time for Steve Bishop and Gary May to pull the irons out of the fire. Out came the ‘Black and White’, covering the helmet of Cory Gathercole, with Ritchie Hawkins in support. The pair shot from the gate to lead off the first turn. Carl Wilkinson took to the boards, flying round the outside, with Hart challenging inside. Hawkins rode a superb race, and was always in the right place to parry any challenge. Wilkinson did manage a pass, but only on his team mate late in the race. The resulting 1-8 to the Rebels cut their deficit to 9-points, and for the first time since Heat 2 their shortfall was in single figures.

In Heat 9 they stemmed the flow again as they shared the points, with Cory Gathercole taking his second win in as many races. He blasted from the tapes to lead at the earliest opportunity. At the same time Carl Wilkinson came sailing passed Ritchie Hawkins and Paul Cooper. Cooper then drove wide around the outside of Hawkins to grab third spot. Hawkins never gave up the chase, challenging inside and out right to the line.

That was enough for the Scorpions, and they banged in two more 4-2 to restore their double figure lead. David Howe took Heat 10, but he had to do it the hard way, as Sam Masters made a flying start to lead from the second bend from his partner, Lee Dicken. Howe fought his way passed Dicken as they entered the final bends of the lap. Simon Lambert was next to challenge, but Dicken fought him off for three quarters of a lap, before succumbing. Howe joined Masters at the front but the young Australian stubbornly refused to yield. The pair raced side-by-side for three full laps, before Howe stormed around the outside of the final bends to just get up on the line by the smallest of margins.

Heat 11 ended with the same score as the previous heat, and once again it featured a titanic battle over the closing laps. Jeran Hart made a jet propelled start to take a comfortable lead, with Magnus Karlsson in second. Ritchie Hawkins came storming up the inside of Karlsson on the second bend, and never gave him a moment’s peace. Karlsson raced around the outside, giving up the inner to Hawkins, they pulled off the last bend with just inches in it, but it was Hawkins who prevailed by a whisker.

Hawkins was having a busy time, and he was out again immediately as he partnered Sam Masters in Heat 12. Masters appeared wearing the Black and White as the Rebels management team looked to re-close the gap. The pair broke level with the Scorpions pairing, but by the second bend they were in front. Once there, Masters led for virtually every yard, with Hawkins in close attendance. Hawkins performance was outstanding as he blocked every move from the Scorpions duo, allowing Masters a trouble free ride to the line, scoring the Rebels second 1-8 advantage in the process.

Despite being blown away in the early stages the Rebels were now only 6-points down, and with touching distance of an away point, but the scorpions were in no mood to release their grip of the match. The Rebels looked as though they might share the points in Heat 13, until Magnus Karlsson pulled out a stroke of genius to ensure a maximum advantage. The first running was stopped after a Cory Gathercole fall when challenging on the wide line in Bend 3. In the re-run Karlsson had trapped first from Parker in second. With Parker all over his back wheel, and looking as though a challenge up the inside would pay dividends if he could find an opening, Karlsson slowed the pace enough to temp the Rebels skipper into a dash around the outside. Once out in the dirt, which offered little in the way of drive, it was too late for the Adelaide born rider, as Karlsson held him out to allow Howe up the inside, eventually passing both riders for the lead, and another Scorpions 5-1.

Heat 14 put any chance of a point out of the Rebels reach, as Jeran Hart and Carl Wilkinson made a fast start to lead off the second bend. Ritchie Hawkins was close up, and dived under Wilkinson down the back straight, but Hart was gone. Mark Baseby, slowly away from the line, steadily closed down Wilkinson, and by Lap 3 he was on Wilkinson’s tail, but could not find a way past, chasing him hard to the line.

Heat 15 also went the way of the home side, as David Howe and Magnus Karlsson scored a maximum over Sam Masters, getting a well deserved nominated ride, and Cory Gathercole. The pair trapped fast, with Masters close up, followed closely by Gathercole. Masters closed down Karlsson on the back straight but could not negotiate a route passed. Gathercole for his part was not far away, and charging hard when he locked up badly at the end of the second lap. Karlsson eventually joined Howe, before going on to take the heat and giving his team a 56-40 victory.

For the home side the Magnus Karlsson was superb, with some intelligent racing, and although Jeran Hart put in a great performance to top score with 14+1, he was perhaps lucky to get away with several dubious starts. The Rebels for their part were carried through by Gathercole, Masters, and not for the first time in the last few weeks Ritchie Hawkins, who’s performance in the two tactical races was second to none. Mark Baseby, who has since been announced as the Rebels latest signing, was well on the pace despite not scoring, and a little work on his sharpness at the gate will stand him in good stead in the future. Shane Parker struggled again at number one, but the imminent arrival of Lubos Tomicek, and the subsequent change to the riding order will take some of the pressure off the Rebels skipper in future, starting with the next home fixture against Workington.

Premier Trophy

Kings Lynn ‘Roger Warnes Transport’ Stars
versus
Somerset ‘Dickies’ Rebels

KINGS LYNN = 53
1. T Proctor - 1 3 2 1* 2 = 9+1
2. Joe Haines - Rider replacement –
3. K Smith - F 0 3 1 2* = 6+1
4. L Eklöf - 3 3 2 2* 2 = 12+1
5. K Doolan - 3 3 2 2 2 1* = 13+1
6. D Mallett - 2* 2* 0 1* = 5+3
7. C Wortmann - 3 1 1 3 0 = 8

SOMERSET = 43
1. S Parker - 2 3 0 3 0 = 8
2. J Frampton - 0 2 1 6^ 3 3 = 15
3. S Masters - 1* 2 3 1 6^ = 13+1
4. Brent Werner – Rider Replacement
5. C Gathercole - 2 1 1 0 = 4
6. R Hawkins - 1 0 1 0 0 1 = 3
7. T Allen - 0 0 0 0 = 0


Referee: Jim Lawrence

HEAT DETAILS

1: Eklöf, Parker, Proctor, Frampton, 59.39 (4-2) (4-2)
2: Wortmann, Mallett, Hawkins, Allen, 61.44 (5-1) (9-3)
3: Eklöf, Frampton, Masters, Smith (f), 59.43 (3-3) (12-6)
4: Doolan, Gathercole, Wortmann, Allen, 59.75 (4-2) (16-8)
5: Parker, Eklöf, Frampton, Smith, 59.87 (2-4) (18-12)
6: Proctor, Mallett, Gathercole, Hawkins, 59.61 (5-1) (23-13)
7: Doolan, Masters, Wortmann, Allen, 59.42 (4-2) (27-15)
8: Frampton (tactical), Doolan, Hawkins, Mallett, 59.25 (2-7) (29-22)
9: Smith, Eklöf, Gathercole, Allen, 59.82 (5-1) (34-23)
10: Masters, Proctor, Smith, Hawkins, 59.70 (3-3) (37-26)
11: Frampton, Doolan, Mallett, Parker, 59.89 (3-3) (40-29)
12: Wortmann, Smith, Masters, Hawkins, 61.22 (5-1) (45-30)
13: Parker, Doolan, Proctor, Gathercole, 60.63 (3-3) (48-33)
14: Masters (tactical), Eklöf, Hawkins, Mallett, 60.81 (2-7) (50-40)
15: Frampton, Proctor, Doolan, Parker, 59.91 (3-3) (53-43)

The Rebels travelled to the Norfolk Arena with nothing but pride to play for in their final Premier Trophy match of the season, whereas King’s Lynn needed all three points if they were to keep their hopes alive of qualification through to the semi-final stages.

Both teams went into the match short-handed, King’s Lynn missing their number 1, Tomas Topinka, and the newly crowned British under-21 Champion, Joe Haines, to injury, the Stars bringing Wolverhampton’s Ty Proctor as a guest replacement for Topinka and operated rider replacement for the absent Haines.

Somerset, whilst they were also missing the services of two riders, Steve Boxall and Brent Werner, it was due to totally different circumstances with them both deciding in the past week to take a break from the sport. Rye House’s Jordan Frampton guested for Boxall and rider replacement was used as cover for Werner.

Early indications looked as if it was to be another long night at the Saddlebow Road track for the Rebels as the home side raced into an 8 point lead after the first 4 heats, but Somerset finally managed to get themselves back into the match in heat 5 when Shane Parker became their first race winner of the night, and with guest Frampton picking up a point for third place, it cut the Stars lead to 6 points.

The Rebels joy was short-lived, however, as King’s Lynn hit back immediately with a maximum heat advantage, their second of the match, in heat 6, and followed that up with a 4-2 heat win just a race later to give them a 12 point cushion as the meeting reached its halfway stage.

In an astute managerial move, Somerset elected to put Frampton out on a double point tactical ride in heat 8, and the move almost worked to perfection as he sped from the tapes to head home the hitherto unbeaten Doolan, and with Hawkins finishing in third ahead of Darren Mallet, the resultant 7-2 heat advantage to the Rebels brought them right back in the match, trailing now by just 7 points, 29-22.

Once again King’s Lynn hit back with another maximum heat win, but by now Somerset were throwing everything at the Stars in an attempt to get back into the match, and with Frampton and Sam Masters now seemingly fully dialled into the conditions, the Rebels were certainly not going to lie down and let King’s Lynn have everything their own way.

Masters took a superb win over Proctor in heat 10 and with Frampton defeating Doolan for a second (and certainly not the last) time in the evening in the following race, the home fans looked as if they might be in for a nail-biting finale as they sought to win the match by 7 points or more in order to claim the maximum 3 group points that they so desired.

Home nerves were settled somewhat when Wortmann and Smith combined for a 5-1 race win in heat 12, and with the Stars 15 points to the good with just two heats to go, they looked home and dry. Cue Sam Masters…..

The Somerset youngster, who was riding the Norfolk Arena, so often the graveyard of many a top rider, for the first time, came into the penultimate heat as the rider replacement whilst using it as a double point tactical ride.

Coming off gate 1, which had given no help to the riders all night, Masters sped from the tapes, and as the riders rounded the first turn, he was joined up front by team-mate Ritchie Hawkins, and the maximum 8-1 heat win for the Rebels was on the cards.

And so it was for 3¾ laps that the Somerset duo held sway over their King’s Lynn counterparts, but with the finishing line in sight, Hawkins made a slight error as he came off the final bend that allowed Eklöf to nip through into 2nd place. However, the 7-2 heat win to Somerset meant that a 5-1 to the Rebels in the final heat would scupper any hopes King’s Lynn had of possibly making it through to the semi-final stages of this year’s Premier Trophy.

With Frampton making another lightening start and Shane Parker in third place, it was going to be an agonising four laps for the home fans as Parker started to put the pressure on Ty Proctor ahead of him in 2nd place.

Suddenly, Proctor got out of shape as the riders took to the pits turn and Parker had to take evasive action to avoid clattering into his adversary, but in doing so it virtually ended any interest the Somerset captain had in the race, and so with the final heat ending with a share of the spoils, it gave King’s Lynn victory by 10 points, but despite ultimate defeat, the Rebels can look back on their performance with a good deal of satisfaction, having turned in one of their better showings at the Norfolk Arena for many a-long year.

Ian Belcher

Premier Trophy

Newport ‘Darlows’ Wasps
v
Somerset ‘Dickies’ Rebels

Newport Wasps = 57
1. Leigh Lanham - 1*, 2, 2, 2*, 2* = 9+3
2. Craig Watson - 2, F, 3, 0 = 5
3. Anders Mellgren - 3, 1, 3, 0 = 7
4. Kyle Legault - 2*, 3, F, 3 = 8+1
5. Kim Nilsson - 3, 1, 3, 3, 3 = 13
6. Justin Sedgmen (G) - 3, 3, 2*, 2*, 3 = 13+2
7. Todd Kurtz - 1, 0, 1 = 2

Somerset Rebels = 37
1. Shane Parker - 3, 2, 1, 1 = 7
2. Brent Werner - 0, 0, 0 = 0
3. Sam Masters - 0, 0, 1, 4^ = 5
4. Steve Boxall - 1, 2, 3, 2, 1 = 9
5. Cory Gathercole - 2, 1, 4^, 0 = 7
6. Ritchie Hawkins - 2, 1*, 3, 1, 1*, 1*, 0 = 9+3
7. Tommy Allen - 0, 0, 0 = 0

SCB Referee - Christina Turnbull

Heat Details

Heat 01: Parker, Watson, Lanham, Werner 3-3 (3-3) 60.70
Heat 02: Sedgmen, Hawkins, Kurtz, Allen (4-2) (7-5) 60.53
Heat 03: Mellgren, Legault, Boxall, Masters (5-1) (12-6) 60.22
Heat 04: Nilsson, Gathercole, Hawkins, Kurtz (3-3) (15-9) 59.03
Heat 05: Legault, Parker, Mellgren, Werner (4-2) (19-11) 59.15
Heat 06: Hawkins, Lanham, Gathercole (2-4) (21-15) 59.15
Heat 07: Sedgmen, Boxall, Nilsson, Masters (4-2) (25-17) 59.00
Heat 08: Watson, Sedgmen, Hawkins, Allen (5-1) (30-18) 60.75
Heat 09: Mellgren, Gathercole (tactical), Hawkins (3-5) (33-23) AWRD
Heat 10: Boxall, Lanham, Masters, Watson (2-4) (35-27) 59.91
Heat 11: Nilsson, Sedgmen, Parker, Werner (5-1) (40-28) 60.54
Heat 12: Sedgmen, Masters (tactical), Hawkins, Mellgren (3-5) (43-33) 60.66
Heat 13: (Re-Run) Nilsson, Lanham, Parker, Gathercole (5-1) (48-34) 60.13
Heat 14: Legault, Boxall, Kurtz, Allen (4-2) (52-36) 60.50
Heat 15: Nilsson, Lanham, Boxall, Hawkins (5-1) (57-37) 60.85

On a very warm spring day, when fast starting was at a premium, the Somerset ‘Dickies’ Rebels unfortunately left their gating boots at home, and paid the price. The emphasis on quick getaways at the Hayley Stadium was illustrated by the fact that there were only four meaningful passes all day, and one of those was gifted when a Sam Masters lock up hampered his race partner, and allowed Justin Sedgmen to pass the pair of them to foil a Somerset full house.

Shane Parker got the Rebels day off to a great start, with a flashing start on Heat 1. Leading from the first turn he was never troubled as he pulled out a good lead from the Newport ‘Darlows’ Wasps top pairing of Craig Watson and Leigh Lanham. Ritchie Hawkins looked to have supplied the Rebels second heat winner in quick succession, as he broke first to lead with Tommy Allen close up. Allen was quickly swamped on the first turn, leaving the Wasps in the points scoring places. Justin Sedgmen was soon on Hawkins tail, and shot up the inside of the Rebels reserve to squeeze through the narrowest of openings on the final turn of the opening lap. Once in front he pulled clear, leaving the rest toiling in his wake, in the vain struggle to find any tangible drive to close the gap.

Over the next three heats the Rebels hardly got in a blow as they succumbed to a 5-1 and 4-2, sandwiching a shared heat to leave the Wasps 8-points to the good at Heat 5. All three heats were won from the gate, with the riders behind finding it extremely difficult to close up, despite whatever amount of effort they put in. Steve Boxall was all over Kyle Legault in Heat 3, but could not find the grip to make a move stick. Shane Parker came from third to second in Heat 5, however once there he was left floundering, also behind Kyle Legault, in the slick conditions.

Heat 6 saw the Rebels take their first of two genuine heat advantage of the day, with Ritchie Hawkins and Cory Gathercole getting super starts to lead into the first turn. Craig Watson fell on the first turn, and was clearly looking for the race to be stopped, but referee Cristina Turnbull obviously disagreed, and did not utilise the red lights. Watson rose to his feet fairly quickly, but seemed reluctant to leave the track, finally just about clearing the racing line as the riders approached on the next circuit. Shortly afterwards, as the riders entered the back straight, Leigh Lanham grabbed second place from Gathercole to thwart the Rebels maximum.

From here on in the points went in the direction of the home team, with a couple of tactical exceptions. The Wasps took advantages in Heats 7 and 8, with a 4-2 and 5-1 respectively. Justin Sedgmen added his second win in Heat 7, quickly followed by a paid win in the very next race. Hard chases from Rebels riders, in both heats, came to nothing as they lost out in the early stages.

Steve Bishop sent out Cory Gathercole in the ‘Black and White’ in Heat 9, in an attempt to cut the now 12-point deficit his side had slipped to. Anders Mellgren and Kyle Legault were quickly away, but Gathercole got amongst them on the first turn, accounting for Legault in the process. Try as he might he could not peg back Mellgren, and had Legault all over him, but never looked like getting passed, until the three times Canadian Champion fell foul of the conditions, getting crossed up and falling on the final bend of Lap 3. The Rebels filled the places, and took a 3-5 advantage.

Steve Boxall got the better of a level break to lead Heat 10 at the opening bend. Sam Masters made a good start, but lifted, and then got out of shape in the run to the bend. He recovered enough to challenge and pass Craig Watson coming off the second turn. He closed down on Leigh Lanham, but could not pass to give the Rebels the maximum they so badly needed. Heat 11 went to the Wasps 5-1, as Kim Nilsson and Justin Sedgmen flew from the gate just as Shane Parker got a huge lift off the line, leaving the race to the home team.

The Rebels were back to 12-points in arrears, and the Tactical option was again used, this time with Sam Masters being the man for the job. The wasps countered the move by introducing Sedgmen for Kurtz, but as the tapes rose it looked as though the Rebels move would pay dividends. Masters and Hawkins shot off the line to take up a 5-1 position with Sedgmen in behind. As the field approached the final bend of the lap, Masters pulled a big locker, and hampered the closely following Ritchie Hawkins. Sedgmen needed no second invitation, and shot passed the pair round the outside. Once in front he pulled out a lead, and there was nothing the Rebels riders could do to cut his lead, leaving the visitors with a 3-5 advantage, when moments earlier there was a lot more on the table.

Cory Gathercole looked to have made a stunning start in Heat 13, but it wasn’t to the referees liking, as she called the field back for a second try. Although breaking level in the next start, Gathercole had no answer once Lanham and Nilsson got the better of the opening bend. The next two heats went to the home side as they wrapped up the meeting with 4-2 and 5-1 advantages, to take the meeting by 20-points at 57-37. Once more, as with the majority, both races were settled after the first turn.

The Rebels will now regroup and set about trying to secure second spot in this Premier Trophy group. That process will start on Friday, with the re-scheduled running of the previously rained off encounter with Rye House, and then continue with a visit to Saddlebow Road to take on the Kings Lynn Stars on the following Wednesday.

NEWPORT 'Darlows' WASPS
versus
SOMERSET 'Dickies' REBELS
Sunday 28th March 2010

Scorers:
Newport Wasps; 1) Leigh Lanham 13+1 (5r); 2) Craig Watson 9+3 (5r); 3) Anders Mellgren 7+1 (4r); 4) Kyle Legault 4 (4r); 5) Kim Nilsson 9 (4r); 6) Alex Davies 2+1 (4r); 7) Todd Kurtz 6+1 (4r)

Somerset Rebels; 1) Shane Parker 3+2 (4r); 2) Ritchie Hawkins 13 (6r); 3) Sam Masters 10+1 (5r); 4) Steve Boxall r/r; 5) Cory Gathercole 14 (6r); 6) Jay Herne 1 (5r); 7) Tommy Allen 1 (5r)

Following on from their excellent performance at Rye House the previous evening, the Rebels moved on to Newport and the second leg of their Severn Bridge Trophy tie, Somerset holding an 8 point lead from Friday’s first leg at the Oak Tree Arena.

Going into the match without Steve Boxall, who was absent with illness, and forced to use rider replacement as cover, the Rebels could not have got off to a worse start if they had tried as Newport took two maximum race wins in the opening two heats to completely wipe out Somerset’s first leg advantage.

The Somerset ship was steadied however when Ritchie Hawkins and Sam Masters, both of whom, along with Cory Gathercole had excellent meeting for the Rebels, secured a maximum heat win of their own, and as the match reach its half-way stage, Newport still held that four point lead, leaving Somerset in a four point aggregate lead.

With the impressive Hawkins having to start off a 15 metre handicap for a tapes offence in heat 8, it gave the Wasps an opportunity that they did not waste, and the resultant maximum heat win for the home side saw them back to an eight point lead on the day and the aggregate scores level once again.

A further maximum heat advantage went the way of Newport in heat 10, it not only giving the Wasps a 12 point lead in the match, but also into a 4 point aggregate lead, though this was quickly wiped out just a race later when Ritchie Hawkins donned the black and white helmet colour for the Rebels in a tactical ‘double points’ move.

To the delight of the large travelling contingent of Somerset fans, Hawkins played his part to the full, winning the heat with ease, and with Somerset skipper Shane Parker coming through into second place, Somerset scored a big 8-1 heat win to bring themselves to within 5 points of the Wasps, a deficit that was then cut to 3 just a race later with a 4-2 race win going the way of the Rebels.

As in Friday’s first leg, this match was not short on controversy, the first incident coming in heat 13, when, with Newport seemingly on their way to a 5-1 heat win, Somerset’s Shane Parker fell whilst in third place, causing referee Dave Robinson to halt proceedings and order a re-run, albeit without the excluded Parker, this causing an outcry from the home fans who felt that the race should have been awarded to the Wasps.

Despite being given a ‘second chance’ Somerset’s sole representative in the re-run, Cory Gathercole could fare no better than the first time around and Newport duly took the maximum heat win, which now saw them take a 7 point lead in the match, leaving Somerset with a slender 1 point aggregate lead.

Unfortunately heat 14 will be remembered for all the wrong reasons, as it saw Somerset reserve Jay Herne taken to hospital suffering with a back injury that looks like it will keep him sidelined for at least the next couple of months.

In the fist running of the heat, Somerset’s Tommy Allen was excluded for a tapes offence and was replaced by Herne. At the second time of asking the four riders got away with Somerset holding a crucial 5-1 when Newport’s Alex Davies picked up some unwanted drive on the pits turn and careered into Herne, both coming to grief as a consequence.

With Davies being excluded from the re-run as being the cause of the race being stopped, it gave the Somerset duo of Masters and Herne the idea opportunity to virtually put the tie beyond doubt, and from the tapes they duly raced into an early lead, only for disaster to strike as Herne entered the third bend.

With Newport’s Kyle Legault hot on his tail, Herne appeared to lose control and went speeding into the Newport air-fence in what just seemed to be a blur of rider and machine. With the race immediately halted the Newport paramedics rushed to attend to the stricken Herne and after lengthy on track treatment he was eventually taken by ambulance to hospital.

Whilst Masters beat Newport’s Legault in what amounted to a ‘match-race’ for heat 14, it meant that Newport could now not be beaten on the day, but that the overall destination of the Severn Bridge Trophy was still to be decided.

If heat 13 was seen to be somewhat controversial, then that was nothing compared to heat 15. With Newport on a tie-winning 5-1, Somerset’s Ritchie Hawkins fell in almost the exact same spot as team-mate Herne did a race earlier. With Hawkins left prostrate on the track, the referee had no option but to stop the race, much to the annoyance of the home fans who felt that the Somerset rider had deliberately stayed down just to get the race stopped and to give his team-partner Gathercole a second chance of denying the home side the 5-1 they required for the aggregate win.

As it was, although Gathercole did initially take the lead when the race was re-run, Newport’s Leigh Lanham forced his way past into the lead on the second lap, but with Watson unable to get on terms with Gathercole for 2nd place, it left the aggregate scores level at 91-all, and so a run off was required to see whose trophy cabinet the Severn Bridge Trophy would adorn for 2010.

With Lanham representing the hopes of the home fans and Gathercole out for Somerset, hopes were high in both camps that overall victory would go their way, but as is often the case in these situations, the run-off was somewhat of an anti-climax as Lanham headed Gathercole into the first turn and from thereon in the Somerset rider could do little to get back on terms, leaving Newport as the 2010 Severn Bridge Trophy winners.

Report courtesy of Ian Belcher.

Newport Wasps = 50

Somerset Rebels = 42

Aggregate Scores
Rebels = 91

Wasps = 91

Run-off for Trophy:

Leigh Lanham beat Cory Gathercole giving the Trophy win to the Newport Wasps after a keenly fought couple of matches.