CLUB NEWS: Bury’s club practice gets underway

Sunday, 12th March, saw seventeen Bury riders arriving at Goshen for the first full club practice of the new season.

The weather was kind, for a change, and by 12:00 the gates were up, the PA system was installed and working and we were ready for the start (with John Burston having already pencilled in both the teams).

The Northern league this season have opted for a first division format of six per side with 6 rides each over an 18 heat match. Each side is allowed up to 4 reserves who have no scheduled rides but may take the same as the first six riders. The Bury club decided to try out the format in this practice match and give as many riders as possible a chance to ride.

Will Owens and Kris Ramsden were elected captains with Kris winning the toss and electing ‘ins’ in heat 1. Kris led off the gate but, in trying to get Asim through in the first bend, got caught on the outside and despite trying to get round could only manage to slot in for second and a 6-4 for the Comets.

Heat 2 was a straight win from grid 2 for Danny, as James did a good blocking race to shield his young partner Josh for a 5-5. After a restart of heat 3, Adam Turnbull took the win with Adam Taylor and Kaysar in hot pursuit for another 5-5.

Danny took another win in heat 4 but the experienced pairing of Neil and Will kept Eryk at the back for a third drawn heat. The 5th heat was a well taken win for James as Adam Turnbull appeared to slip and pause slightly whilst leading and James was through and away for a 4th consecutive 5-5.

Heat 6 and the rapidly improving Kaysar held his grid 1 from Kristian whilst Adam Taylor slotted into 3rd keeping Asim at the back for a Comets 6-4. Adam Turnbull led heat 7 but whilst covering the inside line, slipped and Neil was around him for another Comets 6-4.

Kris and Asim took a 6-4 back for the Meteors in heat 8 over James and Josh. The half way stage came with a 7-3 from Adam Taylor and Kaysar over Adam’s brother, Danny, who had led until the last bend where he fell.

Two reserves from each side took to the track in heat 10 and the Comets increased their lead with a 6-4 from Steve and Dawar over Alan and Kaci. The eleventh heat saw the Meteors hit back with 6-4 from Danny and Eryk over James and replacement Louis Turner.

Heat 12 saw the pairing of Kaysar and Adam Taylor ride to another 7-3 over Adam Turnbull and Harry Radford after Adam fell just short of the line. Neil and Will took a 6-4 in the 13th over Danny and Eryk.

The 14th heat saw the 4 reserves coming out again for a repeat of heat 10 with Steve and Dawar riding to a 6-4 over Alan and Kaci. The Meteors grabbed another 6-4 back courtesy of Kris and Asim over Kaysar and Louis in heat 15.

A 7-3 from the gate over 11 year old Harry and the reserve Alan for Neil and Will was an easy 4 points for the Comets score in the 16th heat. The Meteors repaid the compliment with a 7-3 of their own from Danny and Eryk over Kaysar and Steve in the penultimate heat.

The final heat 18 was a win for Kristian from James and Josh who held Asim at the back for a 5-5 drawn heat and a Comets win 97-83.

Really, the scoreline was academic as various permutations were tried during the match and, with 4 of the riders returning from long term injuries, it was a good try out not only for the format but also the riders’ fitness before the challenge match next week at Stoke and the first league match on the 26th, home to our good friends from across the Pennines, Sheffield Stars.

The match was conducted in a very friendly yet competitive spirit with some very good scores and clever riding from the riders of both squads.

Comets 97
Kaysar 17/2 (6) Neil, 16/1 (5) James 14/2 (5), Will 14/1 (5)
Adam Taylor, 12/1 (4) Josh 8 (4) Steve,10 (3)Dawar 4 (2) Louis 2 (2).

Meteors 83 
Danny 19/1(6), Kristian, 18 (5), Adam Turnbull, 12 (4)
Eryk 10 (6), Alan 7 (3) Harry, 6/1 (4),Asim 7 (5) Kaci 2 (2), Louis 1 (1).

Thanks to all the helpers Stuart, Dave, Tony, Alison, Michelle, Linda in the refreshment kiosk, John the Ref, and not forgetting the vocal support from Fifi the dog.