MATCH REPORT: Nine riders on show for East London as Hawks stay top
Hethersett Hawks/Swinton & Co had summer weather at last for a home fixture at the Memorial Playing Field and had an entertaining match against long-distance travellers East London. It was good to see the recent strugglers from the capital arrive with a full squad of nine riders, including a new recruit in his 20s, Max Renna, who certainly livened up proceedings.
Even though the Hawks were missing two top riders they were still too strong for the basement club and recorded their fifth win out of five to head the South-East Division One table. Early passes from Olly Buxton, Owen Wells and an impressive Dan Butler helped secure a first-half lead that was built on three unbeaten rides each by Lee Grange and Josh Herring. Grange suffered his only defeat to Nicky Gunkel in heat 12 but paired up with Herring for a 7-3 win in heat 15.
HETHERSETT 101: Josh Herring 19+3 (6) Lee Grange 19 (5) Dan Butler 17+1 (6) Dave Adams 17 (6) Olly Buxton 16+1 (6) Owen Wells 10 (6) Katie Adams 3 (1)
EAST LONDON 75: Nicky Gunkel 21 (6) Richard Austen 17+2 (6) Les Stevens 14 (6) Neil Lester 9+1 (5) Adam Burt 5 (5) Dave Hughes 5 (4) Kevin Smith 2 (2) Max Renna 2 (2)
Referees – various
In Division 2 Hethersett tracked three recent recruits, including Adam Reeve making his debut, so a win for East London gave them some consolation for their long journey. Owen Wells showed his continued improvement with three wins and Carly Grimes strung four good races together supporting colleagues.
South East Division 2
HETHERSETT 52: Owen Wells 17 (5) Carly Grimes 9+1 (4) Katie Adams 9 (5) Nigel Longlands 8 (4) Daniel Longlands 5 (4) Adam Reeve 4 (4)
EAST LONDON 77: Neil Lester 15+1 (4) Adam Burt 15 (4) Kevin Smith 12+1 (4) Dave Hughes 11+4 (4) Max Renna 10+1 (5) Sid Stanley 10+2 (4) Les Stevens 4 (1)
Referee – Nicky Gunkel
Hethersett’s next team action is on Sunday 21st at home to Great Blakenham while on Sunday 14th the Club are staging a demonstration and “come & try” event open to all starting at 2 p.m.
South East League Positions
| DIVISION ONE | PL | W | D | L | F | A | PTS |
| Hethersett | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 515 | 389 | 10 |
| Ipswich Eagles | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 529 | 423 | 8 |
| Ipswich Whirlwinds | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 382 | 341 | 6 |
| Gt Blakenham | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 616 | 646 | 6 |
| Norwich | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 516 | 550 | 4 |
| Kesgrave | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 408 | 486 | 4 |
| East London | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 442 | 573 | 0 |
| DIVISION TWO | PL | W | D | L | F | A | PTS |
| Kesgrave | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 363 | 276 | 9 |
| Ipswich | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 301 | 196 | 7 |
| Gt Blakenham | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 316 | 299 | 6 |
| East London | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 247 | 235 | 4 |
| Hethersett | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 262 | 351 | 2 |
| Norwich | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 250 | 382 | 0 |