MATCH REPORT: Stars win in the heat
Sheffield ‘Wosskow Brown’ Stars entertained Heckmondwike on Tuesday, in a Northern League One match on what was the hottest day of the year, temperatures were still over 30c at the 7.30pm start time.
A very dry, dusty track surprisingly provided plenty of close racing. Sheffield made numerous changes, with Laura Watson, Sophie Middleton, Niamh Morton and Sam Haines all promoted from second team duties.
Heckmondwike unfortunately we’re able to name just three riders, Thomas Kent, Darren Kent and Mick Knowles. To make the team up Niall Morton and Rob Mawhood made guest appearances for the night.
The visitors provided the race winner in 11 of the 15 races but the final score was 78-67 in Sheffield’s favour. Mick Knowles made a good pass on Vicky Brown in heat 2, at the third attempt after Vicky withstood the first two challenge’s. Behind them Sam Haines made a good outside pass on Rob Mawhood.
A 7-3 from Knowles and Darren Kent in heat 4 put the visitors 21-18 in the lead. Sheffield hit straight back with a 7-3 from the quick starting Brown and Adam Watson to regain the advantage.
Darren Kent had to work hard for his third successive win in heat 8, eventually chasing down Brown to get through on the inside entering lap 3. With one rider short Heckmondwike were finding it hard to peg back the Sheffield lead, especially with Laura Watson in fine team riding form.
Heat 10 saw a tremendous race between the GB Womens pairing of Brown and Watson against Niall Morton. Brown led with Morton applying great pressure, but as Niall was forced to the outside Laura came through for a 7-3 position. A last bend charge appeared to have gained Morton the win, only for the referee to clarify it was Laura first across the finish line.
Adam Watson inflicted Darren Kent’s only defeat in heat 11, with Sheffield now leading by nine. The League points were sealed for Sheffield in heat 13 after Sophie Middleton made a good outside pass over Mawhood, with Laura Watson assisting by covering the inside of the track.
The final race saw a good ‘from tapes to flag’ win by Thomas Kent, who had been showing improvement with every race on his first visit to Cookson. All the action was at the back with Adam Watson holding Niall Morton in last place, exacting revenge for his only defeat in heat 3.
Sheffield were solid through the team, every rider in double figures and adding an assist. Darren Kent and Mick Knowles were only beaten by Adam Watson. While Niall Morton chipped in with three wins and Thomas Kent getting that vital confidence booster win in the last heat.
SHEFFIELD 78
Adam Watson 16+2, Vicky Brown 14+1, Laura Watson 14+2, Sam Haines 12+2, Sophie Middleton 12+1, Niamh Morton 10+3.
HECKMONDWIKE 67
Darren Kent 19, Mick Knowles 18+1, Niall Morton 16, Thomas Kent 9, Rob Mawhood 5.
Referee – Dave Shoat.