CLUB NEWS: Bees storm to first away win

The fledgling new Brandon Bees Cycle Speedway junior team were back in action last Saturday – and again performed way above expectations by winning their first away match outside the local Coventry and Rugby area.

The newly reformed team – made up of new talent from the popular Saturday morning `Dirt Bike Club` – triumphed by 101 to 78 at the big East Park Wolves track in Wolverhampton in a match affected by continuous heavy rain.

Managed for the first time by newly appointed team boss Mark Savage, one of the many new parents of the new found riders who have volunteered to assist the exciting young team, the Bees fell behind in heat 1.

However, their enthusiasm and increasingly evident skills soon propelled the Bees team in front, thanks to fine riding from Cameron Gill and emerging girl racer Amy Baynes in heats 2 and 3.

Two shared heats followed, before hot teenage prospect Gill teamed-up with Owen Gregory to take full points in heat 6. Further wins to the fast improving Gregory and rising star Tom Savage ensured the Bees reached the half way mark, heat 9, 51-39 in front.

Further heavy showers greeted the riders as the second half got under way but there was a further ray of sunshine for the rampant Bees as super keen Joseph Augustus romped home for his first ever race win in heat 10.

The young East Park side – like the Bees fielding a new and inexperienced team – hit back to score two successive heat wins to narrow the deficit.

Brandon regained the upper hand when the Lee Gregory/Savage pair took maximum points in heat 13 as the Bees edged closer to a remarkable maiden away win outside of Coventry.

Baynes, showing tremendous improvement, surged to her second win of the day in heat 15, as she was guided home by the dashing Jony Middleton, the Coventry under 11s individual champion.

Late wins, in the final three heats, to big guns Savage, Gill and Owen Gregory wrapped up the match for the Bees as they topped the magic 100 points mark in the final heat.

The Bees contingent of riders and parents, together with supporters from sister club Coventry, were jubilant after the match. Less than three months after seeing a track for the first time at the Dirt Bike Club, the Bees were winning on the road.

Team manager Savage said: “The match was a great experience for all our young riders today and I must thank the East Past officials for making us so welcome at their very impressive track. Like us, they fielded a young team and gave youngsters a chance against our brand new team.

“It was great to see all the enthusiasm of everyone today, they were all helping and supporting each other. Both Lee and Owen Gregory were on brand new bikes and they can only get better on them.

“Special mention must be made of Thomas Pearson, who rode in his very first team match and to Amy Baynes and Joseph Augustus, who both recorded their first race wins”.

Brandon Bees scorers:
Cameron Gill 18, Tom Savage 17, Amy Baynes 15, Owen Gregory 14, Joseph Augustus 11, Lee Gregory 10, Jony Middleton 9, Thomas Pearson 7

The Brandon Bees are next in team action on Tuesday 18th October (7.30pm), when they travel to Glover Park to race against Leicester juniors for the first time ever. The match will be under floodlights at the impressive Leicester track, which also boasts changing rooms and a grandstand.

Meanwhile, the ever popular `Dirt Bike Club`, which has ignited the astonishing revival of the sport in the Rugby and district area, continues this Saturday (8th October) at Bretford Playing Fields (CV23 0LA), from 10am to 11.30am.

For more information on the Brandon Bees Cycle Speedway club and the Dirt Bike Club, please ring: 07400 993999.