MATCH REPORT: Christine Ellis Memorial Trophy

Cycle Speedway at its best – Ashmore Park was the place to be Easter Monday with a 12 midday start, running over 40 heats of racing over the day.

The first half of 20 heats, with a line up of international stars, the scene was set for some top class cycle speedway racing. I don’t think anyone was disappointed by the outcome as the day started to unfold.

The first eight heats front runners, Lee Aris and Paul Heard unbeaten on 8 points a piece, right on their tails were Chris Timms, back from his rider Ban and Aussie star Bobby McMillan only flying into the Uk days ago on 7 each, also running close on 6 points Chris Jewkes, Ben Mould, Marcus Wadhams and former twice British Champion Andy Angell.

The racing now was out of the top draw, Paul Heard was in a class of his own, taking out three more wins giving him the full 20 points to take to the second half of the meeting. Marcus Wadhams continued winning ways – his half time total was 18 points, Welsh wizard Ben Mould only dropped 3 points on 17.

Former title holder Chris Timms finished on 16, also Andy Angell finished the first half on the same score. Home rider, the former multi-British champion Lee Aris, had a nightmare grid one after falling off, running a last, putting him on 15. Aussie star Bobby McMillan scored 14, completing the front runners and taking their points to the second half of the meeting.

Multi Champion Steve Harris picked up the first exclusion of the day in heat 21 after falling, also having nightmare rides in two previous outings in the first half. Chris jewkes won a good grid 4 in heat 22, and then the second exclusion of the day came from the pole, Radek Handke.

So running up to heat 32, the front Runners were Paul Heard on 30, Lee Aris 27, Marcus Wadhams 27, Andy Angell 26, Ben Mould 26 – all after 8 rides. Heat 33 was a fine win for Angell over Timms from the outside grid 3, heat 34 saw a great win for Heard over Aris from Handke, he was well in control by now on 34 points, knowing he only needs 1 point to take the trophy heat 39.

So it was down to Angell, Mould and Wadhams. All were looking for that win to put them on 34 points. Heat 36 and 38, Mould takes the black white chequered flag, all he can do now is just wait for the outcome. Wadhams ran a last off his grid 2 in the same heat, missing out a possible run-off, finishing on 31.

Heat 39, Heard just looking for that 1 point to win off grid 3 with his ex-Birmingham team mate on grid 2, Chris Timms. Heard out the gate kept well away from Timms and slots in to take a second place to give him a total of 37 points and the Christine Ellis Memorial trophy.

Heat 40, Angell gates from grid 2 taking his total to 34, so it meant a run-off was needed. Ben Mould was on gate 2, Andy Angell off 4. Angell sets about chasing him but falls on bend four. Game over. So the order of the day was – Winner Paul Heard 37 points, Second Ben Mould 34 Points, Third Andy Angell 34.

From the Ellis Family we would just like to say a big thank to all the riders that took part today, you all gave us great cycle speedway Action at top level.

1. PAUL HEARD 37
2. BEN MOULD 34
3. ANDY ANGEL 34
4. LEE ARIS 32
5. MARCUS WADHAMS 31
6. CHRIS TIMMS 30
7. BOBBY McMILLAN 27
8. RICKI JOHNSON 24
9. CHRIS JEWKES 22
10.RADEK HANDKE 22
11 MARK WINWOOD 22
12. STEVE HARRIS 21
13. DAN CHAMBERS 18
14. SCOTT DOHERTY 16
15. HARRIE EVERISS 13
16. HAYDN CHANT 11

The match report for the Dash Trophies Girls Open is coming soon, along with some great photos taken by Ray Andrews of both meetings.