MATCH REPORT: Eagles high despite 12 point penalty against Hawks

Hethersett Hawks/Swinton & Co concluded their home League programme with a top-of-the-table clash with Ipswich Eagles and the Hawks were confident of taking their title chase to the rearranged fixtures at Ipswich on October 11th, especially as Ipswich arrived with four restricted riders, the fourth one costing them a 12-point penalty.

The match started evenly with tactical shared heats but Charlie Rumbold and Richie Fellgett put Ipswich in front with a 6-4 win in heat 4. The same pair then took a 7-3 win before the interval at which point the visitors led by 9 points so effectively trailing after the penalty was applied.

Fellgett and Ashley Hill notched another 7-3 in heat 11 but continued good work by Dan Chambers and Leigh Cossey kept the Hawks in touch with just two heats to go – an adjusted lead for Ipswich of just one point. Heat 17 was the victory clincher for Ipswich as Charlie Rumbold shepherded Alex Harvey into a 7-3 win that the team deserved. Hethersett relied too heavily on two riders and only won one race all afternoon.

HETHERSETT (80+12) 92
Dan Chambers 20+1 (6) Leigh Cossey 18+2 (6) Lee Grange 11+2 (6) Olly Buxton 11+1 (6) Shaun Brown 10 (6) Dan Butler 10 (6) + 12 penalty points

IPSWICH EAGLES 98
Richie Fellgett 20+1 (6) Charlie Rumbold 19+2 (6) Matt Hill 19+1 (6) Ash Hill 18+2 (6) Alex Harvey 13+1 (6) Fraser Harris 9+1 (6)

Referee – Les Fellgett

It was not the score that measured the success for Hethesett in the Division 2 match as they were humbled by the title-chasing Ipswich side. The real success was that the Club put out seven riders not featuring in the Division1 match for the first time this season – and included three riders making their debuts after a couple of club night appearances.

Roger Carter won heat 6 and supported Owen Wells to a shared final heat but other than that it was 7-3s all the way except for a well fought second place by Katie Adams in heat 12.

HETHERSETT 44
Roger Carter 13 (5) Owen Wells 9+1 (5) Katie Adams 9 (4) Daniel Longlands 4 (3) Alfie Holmes 3 (3) Charlie Read 3 (3) Sam Crossley 3 (3)

IPSWICH 86
Chloe Pearce 16 (4) Reece Johnson 16 (4) Charlie-Jane Herbert 13+2 (4) Alex Harvey 12+4 (4) Ian Johnson 12+1 (4) Fraser Harris 9+3 (3) Charlie Johnson 8+1 (3)

Referee – Les Fellgett

Olly Buxton had a late replacement invite to the high-profile Jim Peck Memorial Trophy event at Great Blakenham and scored nine points.

This Saturday Hethersett stage a round of the South East Grand Prix series with racing for all ages and abilities. Racing gets under way at 12 noon.