MATCH REPORT: Higham Manchester League champion

Stockport hosted the Manchester League Senior Individual Final on Wednesday evening. The track was in good condition at the start of the match, but became greasy and slippery by the end, with rain falling for most of the match.

Seven times champion Terry Norman and Ben Scranage were the early pace setters, both winning their opening two rides. However, by the end of four rounds the joint leaders were Mat Lush and Ben Higham on 15 points each, with Chris Parish and Norman both on 14.

Scranage’s chances went when he overcooked things on the pits turn in heat 12 and he was a non finisher. Higham won his last ride to finish on 19 points. Heat 19 was an important race, which saw Lush going past Norman to take 2nd place, but he couldn’t catch Parish who took the race win.

This meant that Ben Higham (pictured right by Ray Andrews in the 2014 British Final) was the outright winner, whilst Lush and Parish would have to meet again in a run-off for 2nd place. Parish won the toss and held out the ever pressing Lush until the last lap. Parish then overslid on the 1st bend and Lush went past to take 2nd place overall. Higham’s only defeat came at the hands of Lush in heat 2, as he added the Senior Individual trophy to the Grand Prix trophy already secured.

Manchester League Senior Individual Final result

Ben Higham (Stockport) 19, Mat Lush (Stockport) 18, Chris Parish (Bury) 18, Jake Read (Stockport) 16, Terry Norman (Stockport) 16, Adam Watson (Sheffield) 15, Chris Eaton (Stockport) 14, Ben Scranage (Bury) 13, Neil Howarth (Bury) 13, Kris Ramsden (Bury) 11, Brian Eaton (Stockport) 7.

Referee – Mike Hack (Astley & Tyldesley)