MATCH REPORT: Sheffield too strong for Northumbria

Sheffield 109 – 70 Northumbria (NL1) – 23rd April 2014

There was a KO blow for the Vikings chances of even getting a decent score, with Michael Parr out cold and Mark Mulvey left riding on with a shoulder injury following a bad smash in heat 8. Gavin Parr was Northumbria’s only heat winner, beaten by the two super Poles early on, but recovering to get ahead of the Rockets home grown youngsters. Sheffield were always going to be too strong and too quick for the visitors and deserved their big win, though all the Vikings team must learn next time not to leave so many inside gaps on this very wide track, several points dropped as the young home flyers came charging through. A big positive however for the visitors was a fast couple of early rides from Terry Kirkup, he taking advantage of a spill as Mark Mulvey bulldozed his way through in heat 5, then passing Matt Parrott in the re-run of heat 8.

Scorers:
SHEFFIELD 109: Radek Handke 20, Damien Zareba 18+2, Kyle Holland 16+1, Richard Hudson 15+3, Zac Smurthwaite 14, Matt Parrott 12, Niall Morton 9+2, Aiden Owen 5
NORTHUMBRIA 70: Gavin Parr 18, Jason Keith 14, Mark Mulvey 10, Terry Kirkup 7+1, Daniel Wharrier 6, Dan Redshaw 6, Scott Latimer 5, Michael Parr 4

Northern League Division 2
SHEFFIELD 77
NORTHUMBRIA 73

Luke and Niall Morton saw the Rockets home in an always tight match, Niall winning the last heat decider, while Luke came out to record a good couple of late heat wins and top score for Sheffield. The winter training and improvement made by the Vikings young trio was clearly evident, Daniel Wharrier much quicker from the starts and more competitive on the first corners, Dan Redshaw just much quicker overall, while Scott Latimer was as determined as ever including some typical forceful dives, the tall lad looking much more confident than last week too. Andy Knowles and Jim Graham both at times displayed some team riding mastery, helping out their partners including Neil Magee who was grateful for some easy points as a result, while Terry Kirkup again took to the track and only dropped a couple of points looking sharp and fast throughout. Stand in home team manager Ian Brown is to be congratulated for using all his young squad, with his vets, including a returning to the sport Paul Fisher, doing just enough when needed to take the two league points.

Scorers:
SHEFFIELD: Luke Morton 16, Mick Knowles 15, Niall Morton 11+1, James Bunting 10+1, Vicky Brown 10, Paul Fisher 8+1, Rebecca Davies 5+1, Sam Haines 2
NORTHUMBRIA: Dan Redshaw 15+1, Daniel Wharrier 14+1, Scott Latimer 13+2, Terry Kirkup 10, Neil Magee 9, Andy Knowles 6+2, Jim Graham 6+1

Northumbria didnt compete in the Div 3 meeting, with young Lewis confined to the naughty step at home… The last match of the day was interupted by a furious hail storm that soon turned the entire track white…