MATCH REPORT: Carmichael back to best as Newport secure three in a row
Newport made it a hat-trick of South and South Wales Division One titles after winning the league play off at Exeter, scoring 96 points ahead of Poole Comets on 87 and Swindon 81.
Poole and Swindon suffered tape exclusions early on and Newport capitalised, taking an early 9 point lead with wins from fast improving Sean Bennett, Nick Evans and Oli Sidwick. The racing surface was excellent on the impressive devon circuit, and the action was intense.
2015 South and South Wales winners, Newport
Good wins from Ben Donohue, Jay Briggs and two from flying Pole Greg Gluchowski kept the Comets in touch with the welsh outfit, as did wins for Swindon’s Jake Neighbour and Steve Harris, but Newport went into the interval with an 8 point lead over Swindon and 12 over the Comets.
The second half was just as competitive with all teams determined to pick up the title. There was a glimmer of hope for the challengers, as Newport started to wobble slightly picking up 4 last places in the middle of the second half.
Dean Hook was having a fine match for Poole, as was Steve Harris for the Robins and they kept the scores close going into the final 6 heats. Newport though were determined not to loose the play off after winning 9 of their 10 league matches and regrouped to record heat advantages from Nick Evans/Mark Carmichael and the Jack Harrold/Dan Bock pairings to run out comfortable winners in the end by 9 points, ahead of second place Poole Comets with Swindon a credible third on 81.
Newport celebrate their third league win in a row.
For Newport, Mark Carmichael was back to his very best, scoring a 6 ride maximum, he was supported well by all his team mates, special mention to Dale Clark on a fine return to racing.
Greg Gluchowski top scored for Poole with Dean Hook and young Jay Briggs impressing.
For the Robins Steve Harris rode well as did Jake Neighbour to keep the Wiltshire team in the match.