MATCH REPORT: Burt shines for East London as three hang up their wheels

The curtain came down on a difficult season for East London with two comprehensive defeats against Suffolk-based Kesgrave, but the day was not without its positives. Team manager Kevin Smith was for once able to field a full squad of eight riders and Adam Burt came of age with easily the best performance of his career so far.

With three Kesgrave riders going through the card unbeaten in the Division 1 match, East London’s focus was on the minor placings. Indeed, it was very late in the programme before the home side recorded a heat win or advantage. Having said that, there were a number of close-fought and entertaining races, with East London riders often doing all the hard work to get out in front before narrowly losing out to the generally fitter and faster visitors.

The final score was East London 75 – 105 Kesgrave.

East London scores
Richard Austen 17 (+1), Nick Gunkel (+1), Adam Burt 12 (+1), Les Stevens 11, Steve Woodroof 11, Dave Hughes 8 (+1), Steve Myhill 3, Kevin Burt DNR.

In the Division 2 fixture, Kesgrave were able to field a squad of fresh riders, most of whom took advantage of the fatigue that began to set in among the Londoners. Heavy track conditions also took their toll as the day progressed. There was, as ever, total commitment from the riders in black and orange and once again they went down fighting.

The match finished East London 75 – 115 Kesgrave (with penalty points added).

East London Scores
A. Burt 15 (+1), Woodroof 13, Stevens 12(+1), Myhill 8, Hughes 7, K. Burt 4.

Following this final fixture of the season, Steve Woodroof, Steve Myhill and Kevin Burt all announced their retirement from racing; the club thanked them for their contributions and wished them well. Thereafter, the remaining riders pledged their continued involvement to enable East London to start planning it’s 2015 campaign.

Thank you to everyone who helped keep the flag flying at Canning Town during what has been a challenging year – we look forward to a better run of luck starting next March.