MATCH REPORT: Whirlwinds power on in the Capital
East London 67 – 113 Ipswich Whirlwinds, South East 1, Sunday 11th May 2014
Ipswich made the long journey south to Silver town to face the experienced East London team, for whom some of their riders were riding even before some of the Ipswich youngsters were born, which is great testament to the lads of London.
On paper it always looked a miss match with the Whirlwinds in such fine form at this present time and high on confidence, which is flowing throughout the whole club from top to bottom. The Suffolk based side wasted no time in setting the tone for the rest of the match, taking the first four heats. It was heat five when Nicky Gunkel finally took the flag for the Londoners in a shared heat. This alas was London’s only joy in the opening half as Ipswich stormed to an interval lead of 28 points.
With the match already wrapped up, it was a chance to see the Whirlwinds up coming stars put to the test in the likes of Ben Harvey and Pierce Bacon who are forming a formidable partnership and never more so in heat eleven when they seemly got out foxed by Hughes and Gunkel, were suddenly staring into a 7-3 reverse, but they both kept their cool and were able to force Gunkel into a mistake while under intense pressure and rescued the heat to take a share of the spoils. These two fourteen years olds are starting to make a impression in their first full season at this level, having now only dropped one heat in twelve outings together.
While these two riders are making all the headlines, let’s not forget the contribution from the other members in the shape of the more seniors riders who are more than willing to pass on any good advice on where they can still improve. Today also saw Ipswich give a debut to twelve year old Harrison Bacon and was no way over-awed by the occasion, scoring a wonderful 16 points including two heat wins along the way, subsequently Harrison was voted Whirlwind’s man of the match.
East London 67
Nicky Gunkel 16 (6), Steve Woodruff 14 (6), Richard Austin 13 (6), Dave Hughes 10+1 (6), Kevin Burt 8 (6), Adam Burt 6 (6)
Ipswich Whirlwinds 113
Pierce Bacon 23 (6), Lewis Roberts 20 +4 (6), Ben Harvey 18 +5 (6), Leon Mower 18 +2 (6), Lauren Jacobs 18 (6), Harrison Bacon 16 (6)