MATCH REPORT: Aces clinch SSW Gold Cup Victory
Exeter Aces were victorious in the 2016 SSW Gold Cup Final on Sunday, when they held off the challenge from pre-meeting favourites Poole and Newport in a thrilling last series of races.
Aaron Herbert played a starring role for the Aces, but it was a great team effort, which saw the Devon team clinch victory on their home circuit.
All four Exeter riders made significant contributions, at vital stages, in this traditional end of season event to provide a shock result against Elite League opposition.
Mark Carmichael (Newport) and Maciej Ganczarek (Poole) led the challenge for their respective teams, with Poole missing the opportunity to force a race-off with Exeter, when Carmichael headed home the Dorset clubs Polish star in the final race.
Exeter celebrate their Gold Cup win. (L-R) Craig Nethercott, Conner Tucker, Will Tidball, Aaron Herbert.
Zac Payne was influential for Horspath, but the 2015 winners were lacking sufficient backup with Mark Boaler not included in their line-up.
FINAL RESULT:
Exeter 56: Aaron Herbert 19, Will Tidball 15, Craig Nethercott 12, Conner Tucker 10.
Poole 54: Maciej Ganczarek 17, Will Bristowe 14, Dean Hook 12, Jay Briggs 11.
Newport 51: Mark Carmichael 18, Jack Harrold 10, Adam Bennett 8, Chris Davies 8, Dale Clark 7.
Horspath 37: Zac Payne 17, Will Jeffrey 8, Andy Johnson 7, Jack Ellis 3, Alex Matthews 2.
Newport had earlier won the Regional ‘Rose Bowl’ event, after heading off the challenge from runners-up Exeter, plus Swindon and Hellingly.
As a result the Welsh club qualified, along with Exeter, for the Gold Cup Final to compete against the regions ‘seeded’ Elite League representatives Horspath and Poole.
The event was well presented by Exeter CSC with good representation from the SSW regional clubs.
Report with thanks to Dave Murphy. Photo by Graham Robins.