MATCH REPORT: Hawks consolidate runners up spot

Hethersett Hawks/Swinton & Co concluded their League programme with a local derby at home to Norwich. In perfect track conditions despite a strong wind there was some excellent racing and the Hawks consolidated their runners-up position with a victory in Division 1.

Early exchanges featured three wins from Alan Parkins, but the Hawks produced some terrific team-riding by Dan Chambers and Harley Hamill plus another 7-3 win from David Adams and Lee Grange. This ensured an 8-point interval lead. After the break Dane Parkins became the individual star for Norwich with three wins but Hethersett kept a tight grip and ran out comfortable winners, although a last heat 7-2 win made the score respectable for Norwich.

HETHERSETT 94 NORWICH 85
(L.Grange 21 D.Chambers 20 O.Riley 18 H.Hamill 15 D.Adams 12 D.Butler 6 R.Carter 2)

The Combination Division match saw both teams track full squads with Hethersett giving a debut to Nigel Longlands who christened his career with a fall. The match itself was close (65-64) with David Adams and Harley Hamill unbeaten but penalty points for first-team scoring weighed against the Hawks in the final reckoning.

HETHERSETT (65+20) 85 NORWICH (64+35) 99
(D.Adams 16 H.Hamill 15 R.Carter 8 K.Adams 7 O.Wells 6 D.Longlands 5 N.Longlands 4)

After last week’s “no-show” the Hawks tracked four riders in the Youth Division match and can be encouraged by a good score from Owen Wells and the progress of Giles Awbery and newcomer Daniel Longlands.

HETHERSETT 43 NORWICH 76
(O.Wells 14 K.Adams 12 G.Awbery 9 D.Longlands 8)

At Harford Park the previous day Hethersett came runners-up in the TA Security South-East Knock-Out Cup Fours. They were inspired by a brilliant maximum from Oliver Riley which featured a number of passes. Dan Chambers had to race on borrowed machinery after snapping handlebars in the warm-up.

IPSWICH 56 HETHERSETT 42 KESGRAVE 34 NORWICH 25
(O.Riley 16 D.Chambers 11 L.Cossey 11 K.Adams 4)

In the Junior equivalent event the Hawks just missed out on third-place. Katie Adams rode strongly, winning heat 8, and Daniel Longlands made his competitive debut.

IPSWICH A 44 IPSWICH B 42 KESGRAVE 33 HETHERSETT 32
(K.Adams 11 B.Allen 9 D.Longlands 6 A.Nixon 6)

Beth Allen finished third in the South-East Under-13 Girls Championship.

The Hawks round off their season by staging Club events on Sunday, ending with the Breckland Autos Charity Cup at 4 p.m.