MATCH REPORT: Brandon make it three on the bounce

Newly reformed Brandon Bees Cycle Speedway team raced to their third successive victory in the Midland League Division 2 at sun-soaked Brandon Road Playing Fields last Tuesday evening.

The Bees posted a 94-56 score line over near neighbours Leicester at the refurbished Bretford venue. It means the Bees have made a dream start after accounting for Leicester – winning their opening three league matches for a hat trick of league wins.

The home side were dealt a blow shortly before the start. Ashley Pointer, who featured in Coventry`s double winning campaign of 2006, and making a return to racing, was delayed in traffic and had to miss his second comeback match.

Brandon drafted in replacement rider Elizabeth Rigley to cover for Pointer and the home side were soon into their stride with Matt Hambidge, Spencer Sawbridge and Brandon track expert Dan Drewett taking the first three heats.

Drewett, enjoying his best ever season, also won heats 5 and 7 to register three heat wins in the first half. With fellow teenage star Mason Phillips also in commanding form, the Bess enjoyed a 50-30 interval lead.

Leicester made a sterner fight of it in the second period but the Bees had the all-round strength to stay in control. Drewett and Phillips went on to record maximum scores and fast emerging starlet Sawbridge supported well.

Brandon Bees point scorers:

Dan Drewett 20, Mason Phillips 19, Spencer Sawbridge 15, Matt Hambidge 15, Elizabeth Rigley 13 and Charlie Barnett 12.

Brandon, who are using mainly Coventry registered riders this term to maintain racing at the former Bretford Bulldogs track, are next in action when they travel to Birmingham on Tuesday 14th July for their first ever away encounter in the Midland League division 2.

The Coventry club took their place in the final, national round, stages of the British Junior & Youth League last Saturday at Poole. It was the first time Coventry had reached the national rounds in their history.

Girl racer Sammi Marsh, who has been named in the Great Britain woman`s squad for this summer’s Test match series against Australia, led the Coventry charge by taking the `B` final in her category.

Spencer Sawbridge and Ollie Morris, who dominated the Midlands regional rounds at under 14 level, both just missed out of `A` final qualification at Poole. First year riders Jack Reynolds and Ben Wells also performed well and all the Coventry squad will have gained from the experience.

Coventry stage the second round of the new individual competition, the M6 Grand Prix Championship, at Hearsall Common this Wednesday 8th July at 7.30pm. The popular junior `come and try it` training sessions, staged every Wednesday, will precede the M6 Championship between 6pm-7pm.

The Hearsall Common club have also announced details of the BMS Ltd sponsored `Junior Classic` for riders aged 14 and under. It will be staged at Hearsall Common on Friday 17th July at 7.30pm. It will be followed by a BBQ for riders, officials and fans.

Meanwhile, plans are continuing for the biggest ever Cycle Speedway meeting in the history of the sport in Coventry when Great Britain race Australia in the third and final Test match at Hearsall Common on Thursday 6th August, starting at 7.15pm.

Clubs officials have this week confirmed the presence of TV cameras for the Australian match, expected to attract over 1,000 people. It will be screened on Sky Sports four times in the UK and shown in 32 countries around the world.

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.