MATCH REPORT: The Revolution(s) have started!

Fife ‘Revolutions’ Cycle Speedway competed in their first ever competitive fixture when they raced against Hull this afternoon in glorious sunshine at their Fife track.

There was plenty of anticipation around this fixture to see if Fife’s young team could live up to their hype. Against a weakened Hull team in front of a sizeable crowd, Fife duly delivered, and once they’ve got a few matches under their belt they will get even better.

First up for Fife in heat 1 was the experienced Craig Hardie and captain Harry Langdale against Nathan Everett for Hull. Everett’s Division 1 experienced showed when he made the start. Hardie chased him down but his rear wheel locked, which forced him to retire from the race.

Heat 2 saw Jamie Penny and James Keenlyside of Fife up against Hull’s Josh Bellis. Bellis won comfortably from Keenlyside, as Penny’s rear wheel also locked forcing him to retire. This gave Hull a 2 point lead and hope of spoiling the party.

The lead was surrendered courtesy of Vas Hill and Lewis Alsop taking maximum points in heat 3 and Fife never looked back after this.

Heat 4 was again won by Bellis with Keenlyside and Langdale taking the other points.

Perhaps the race of the day was heat 5. Hull’s Everett was in his second race and was favourite to win. However Vas Hill and Penny had other ideas! All 3 made the start together with Hill forcing Everett wide to let Penny up the inside.

Penny was gone but the race between Hill and Everett was nail biting. Hill blocked and kept the inside line making it difficult for Everett to pass and heading home to the cheer of the 60+ crowd.

Heat 6 was another maximum for Fife from Hardie and Langdale ahead of O’Neill and Greaves of Hull. Everett and Bellis were in the next 2 races which they won making the score at the half way stage, Fife 42, Hull 28.

In heat 9, Jake Ferguson replaced Langdale to partner Lewis Alsop. Bellis shot from the tapes but was hunted down by the two Fifers. The track now drying out in the heat, Bellis’s biked slipped from him on bend 4 and the Fife riders took full advantage. Bellis couldn’t make any ground on them resulting in a 7-3 to Fife and the score 49-31 in the home side’s favour.

Another maximum for Fife in heat 10 stretched their lead further courtesy of Hardie and Penny. Everett won heat 11 ahead of Hill and Alsop who didn’t have any answer to his lightning start.

Heat 12 saw Victor Hill replacing Penny and he made an immediate impact, heading home his partner Keenlyside for yet another Fife maximum. Bellis resumed normal service but had to fight for the 4 laps ahead of Hardie and Langdale in heat 13.

Another change for Fife in the penultimate race, with Harris Alsop replacing James Keenlyside. Partnering his brother, Lewis, the Alsops raced home for a 7-2 heat advantage making the score 80-46.

Last race saw Hardie and Hill line up against Everett and O’Neill. Hardie got the better this time, with Everett second and Hill third to take a 6-4 advantage and making the overall score 86-50.

Better news was to come, as under British Cycling rules, if one division 1 rider is used a penalty of 20 points is given. This made the final score 106-50.

Team manager, Craig Masson commented: “Today was a great success. I’d like to say a huge thank you to all riders, officials, 83rd Cairneyhill Scouts and our fabulous fans!”

FIFE 106
Craig Hardie 15, Harry Langdale 10+2, Vas Hill 14, Lewis Alsop 16+2, Jamie Penny 10, James Keenlyside 11+1, Jake Ferguson (R) 3, Victor Hill (R) 4, Harris Alsop (R) 3+1

HULL 50
Nathan Everett 17, Josh Bellis 18, Lillie O’Neill 6, Katie Greaves 9

Fife next take on Astley & Tydlsey in Manchester next Sunday 2nd April. The next home match is against Sheffield on Sunday 14th May.

Welcome to Cycle Speedway, Fife – we look forward to covering your progress! Make sure you follow Fife’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cyclefife/