MATCH REPORT: Warwick Royals storm to victory
Coventry Cycle Speedway club staged the 5th round of the newly revived Coventry Junior League last Sunday afternoon and Warwick Royals stormed to their first ever victory in an entertaining meeting.
In perfect track and weather conditions, all four teams were staffed by the host club Coventry, underlining the Hearsall Common clubs ever increasing array of emerging junior and youth talent.
The new Coventry Junior League, sponsored by Cycle Coventry cycle project, aims to provide new opportunities in cycling in the city and extend existing participation. As the 16 riders took to Hearsall Common track, it was obvious such aims were being fulfilled.
The Earlsdon Hammers side, taking its title from the original name of the present day Coventry club, were soon into their stride and with captain Dan Drewett and first year rider Jack Reynolds both winning races, Earlsdon led on 12 points after 4 heats.
Warwick, with returning captain Shaun Reynolds back in action, and with the Royals on paper fielding the strongest quartet, soon hit back to draw level with Earlsdon on 22 points each after heat 8.
After 12 heats, Earlsdon and Warwick were still tied for the lead on 32 points but a late charge by Warwick, including four successive race wins, eventually saw the Royals pull ahead in the final heats.
However, it was the Brandon Bees, attired in their distinctive yellow racing shirts, who provided the individual star of the day in dashing 16 year old whiz kid Jake Slatter, who lives a stone’s throw away from the Hearsall Common venue.
Slatter combined super quick starting, clever tactical awareness and some brilliant overtaking to be the meetings top scorer on 21 points. His last grasp, last bend swoop to win heat 2 proved to be the race of the day.
Coventry Junior League – Round 5 point scorers:
Warwick Royals 59
Mason Phillips 18, Ronni Wassall 18, Shaun Reynolds 13 and Jack Bayliss 10.
Earlsdon Hammers 53
Dan Drewett 17, Jack Reynolds 17, Ollie Morris 16 and Ben Wells 5.
Brandon Bees 49
Jack Slatter 21, Matt Hambidge 10, Sam Slatter 10 and Bailie Phillips 8.
Coventry Devlins 43
Sammi Marsh 17, Jimmy Wassall 16, Charlie Barnett 5 and James Morris 5.
Coventry staged the Eurovets Grand Prix round 4 at a rain swept Hearsall Common last Saturday. Home riders Dave Frith and Joe McLaughlin both took the silver medals in their respective categories.
In the Midlands League division 2 last Tuesday evening, Brandon Bees came from behind in the latter stages to beat Birmingham 69-61 at Brandon Road Playing Fields, Bretford.
In his first match of the season, former British Junior champion Dave Frith topped the Bees score chart. There was welcome returns also for Ashley Pointer, a member of Coventry 2006 double winning side, and Liam McGuire.
Brandon Bees point scorers:
Dave Frith 15, Mason Phillips 13, Tom Sensicall 12, Cahrlie Barnett 12, Dan Drewett 12, Ashley Pointer 4 and Liam McGuire 3.
Coventry make their first ever appearance in the national rounds of the British Junior & Youth League at south coast glamour club Poole on Saturday (27th June). Regional round winners Spencer Sawbridge (under 14s) and Sammi Marsh (girls) are the best hopes for more Coventry success.
Brandon Bees look to continue their successful revival at regional league level in the Midland League division 2 at Brandon Road Playing Fields this coming Tuesday (30th June), when they welcome Leicester. Racing starts at 7.15pm.
For more information on Brandon Bees Cycle Speedway club, please ring: 07400 993999.
For more information on Coventry Cycle Speedway Club, including on how to get involved, you can visit www.coventrycyclespeedway.co.uk or follow the club on Twitter using @CoventryCSC.