MATCH REPORT: Hawks convincing in season opener

March 16, 2015 editor

Hethersett Hawks/Swinton & Co opened their 2015 South East League campaign with a convincing win at Great Blakenham.

Both teams were down on full strength and struggling for early season fitness but, apart from a maximum by Lewis Osborne, the home side had little to trouble the solid Hawks.

The visitors lost just one race race in each half opening the match with a Dan Butler / Dan Chambers 7-3 win. Dan Chambers was the pick of the riders suffering his only defeats at the hands of Osborne.

GT BLAKENHAM 72
Lewis Osborne 24 (6) Sam Turland 12 (6) Connor Wright 10 (6) Jonjo Slaughter 9+1 (6) Will Jennings 8+1 (5) L.Dix 7 (6) Vlad Simons 2 (1)
HETHERSETT 106
Leigh Cossey 21 (6) Dan Chambers 19+3 (6) Lee Grange 19+1 (6) Olly Buxton 17+4 (6) Dan Butler 16+1 (6) David Adams 14+5 (6)

Hethersett could only track four riders in the Division 2 match so were always facing an uphill task with tired legs but still gave a good account providing eight race winners in the 13 heats.

GT BLAKENHAM B 68
Sam Turland 16+1 (5) Jonjo Slaughter 15+1 (5) Vlad Simons 10+1 (4) Connor Wright 9+2 (4) Terry Kirby 8+1 (4) Gavin Whitehouse 7+1 (3) Terry Ashford 3 (1)

HETHERSETT B 52
David Adams 17 (5) Olly Buxton 15 (5) Dan Butler 14 (4) Katie Adams 6+2 (3)

The first team are next in action on March 29th when they visit champions Ipswich Whirlwinds.

The first action on the Hethersett track this season took place under floodlights with an open evening for members of Hethersett Velo Club. They fully enjoyed the difference in the bikes to what they are used to and sampled normal racing as well as time trials, handicaps and relay races.