CLUB NEWS: Hawks’ mistakes prove costly

Hethersett Hawks/Myhill Decorators took a strong side to Ipswich to face the League leading Eagles but came off second best as the fast Suffolk riders forced errors out of the Hawks. Even Hethesett’s No.1 rider Dan Chambers had an off-day and a 7-3 victory by Dan Knights and Richie Fellgett against Dan in the opening heat set the scene.

Hawks’ captain Leigh Cossey gave his best performance of the season with four wins but encountered an exclusion in his other ride. Chambers and Josh Herring were the only other visitors to record heat wins.

IPSWICH EAGLES 88 HETHERSETT 70
(L.Cossey 16 D.Chambers 14 J.Herring 14 H.Hamill 10 O.Buxton 7 D.Butler 6 O.Wells 3)

There was some consolation for the travelling Hawks when they pulled off a surprise victory over the previously unbeaten Ipswich side in the Division 2 match.

Four wins each from Dan Butler and Harley Hamill kept the scoreboard ticking as Olly Buxton and veteran Glyn Morgan did some good teamwork together. Owen Wells found his best from in the closing stages, a 7-3 win in heat 11 with Hamill stretching Hethersett’s lead to five points for the first time. A similar heat win from Morgan and Buxton in the next heat set up the victory.

IPSWICH B 73 HETHERSETT B 84
(H.Hamill 21 D.Butler 18 O.Buxton 16 O.Wells 14 G.Morgan 10 K.Adams 5)

The previous day Owen Wells was racing in Astley & Tyldesley near Manchester competing in the Under-17 category at the British Youth & Junior League National Round 3.

He improved on his Round 2 effort in Poole by reaching the “C” final. He had a good start but came off worst from some first-bend bunching. When no restart was called he chased hard and almost forced his way into third place but had to be content with fourth.

This Sunday the Hawks play hosts at the Memorial Playing Field to Sussex side Hellingly for the first time in League competition (2 p.m.)