MATCH REPORT: Bees go down in exciting clash

The newly revived Brandon Bees Cycle Speedway team, enjoying a terrific comeback year, went down 104-70 in their latest away match at Leicester last Tuesday evening. It was the Bees first defeat in three matches.

It was the Bees first visit to the supremely well-appointed East Midlands venue, with its superb race track, terracing, grandstand and other facilities. The match took place under floodlights – another exciting attraction for the new Bees team.

After away wins at Coventry and East Park Wolves, and with several of their team now mounted on new purpose built bikes, the Bees started in confident mood with Lee and Owen Gregory sharing the opening heat.

The Cameron Gill/Amy Baynes pairing also shared heat 2, with Gill again impressing with some fine team riding to usher Baynes into a scoring position. The Bees fell behind in heat 3, despite Tom Savage chasing all the way to take second place.

Leicester`s older and much more experienced side then started to assert control, winning the following three heats by the maximum margin. However, the quality of the racing was first class, with the Bees always in the thick of the action.

Both Lee Gregory and Savage, the latter displaying a brand-new bike for the match, then took well ridden second places to stem the tide of Leicester successes.

By the half way mark – heat 9 – the Bees 52-33 were in arrears. Whilst they were facing an uphill battle, the Bees never lost heart and continued to be keen and competitive opponents.

In the dashing form of 15-year-old Gill, the Bees scored their first heat winner in heat 10, the first race after the interval. Cheered by this, Gill went onto repeat his success in heat 12.

The best race of the evening proved to be heat 14. Trailing from the tapes, the young Bees pairing of Lucais Eyles and Joseph Augustus quickly made up ground. They caught their Leicester opponents by the end of lap one and all four riders flashed over the line together, with Eyles taking second place.

More exciting action followed, with Gill taking his third win of the evening in heat 16, to round off a superb individual performance. The Bees fought to the end, as rain began to fall, but their lack of experience proved to be their only downfall.

Speaking post-match, Bees boss Mark Savage said: “Tonight was a terrific experience for our new young riders, racing under floodlight for the first time. Thanks to our Leicester hosts for such an enjoyable evening.

“As we suspected, it was only our lack of experience that let us down, as the racing and tremendous determination of our team was not reflected in the score line. But our time we come as our youngsters continue to improve in each and every ride”.

Brandon Bees point scorers:

Cameron Gill 17, Lee Gregory 10, Tom Savage 10, Owen Gregory 10, Amy Baynes 7, Jony Middleton 6, Lucias Eyles 4, Joseph Augustus 4 and Thomas Pearson 3.

The Bees have now finished their scheduled matches for 2016. They can look back on an unforgettable resurgence of excitement, enjoyment and thrilling endeavour. Cycle Speedway has made a triumphant return to the Rugby area and the scale of its return has surpassed all expectations.

The Bretford Playing Fields outfit now look to an exciting indoor season of practice and racing at the Sport Connexion, Leamington Road, Ryton On Dunsmore, starting on Sunday 20th November, from 7pm to 9pm.

The Dirt Bike Club, which last Saturday saw more newcomers take to the track, races into action for the last time in 2016 this Saturday morning (10am-11.30am) at the Brandon Bees track, Bretford Playing Fields, Bretford, near Rugby, CV23 0LA.

Youngsters and teenagers can come along to learn bike handling skills, race tactics and a chance to race for the Brandon Bees team. Bikes and safety equipment is supplied. The cost is just £1.

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