MATCH REPORT: Comets edge close match against Hammers

The new chair of the Cycle Speedway Commission, Marian Lauder MBE, certainly picked an excellent fixture for her first taste of our sport. In front of a large crowd, and with warm sunshine, Poole and Horspath provided plenty of good, close racing that was ridden in great spirit.

A cagy first half produced 7 heat winners for the visitors, but the points were shared in all those races, and it was a 7-3 to the strong Gluchowski/Ganczarek pairing that gave Poole a 4 point lead at the interval.

A home 6-4 to start the second half stretched the lead to 6 points, but an exclusion and a fall turned the scores in Horspath’s favour as they led 65-63 after heat 13. Poole immediately hit back with a 6-4 to draw level, followed by a 7-3 from Gluchowski/Tinsdale to go back in front – eventually winning 91-86.

British Cycling Cycle Speedway Commission chair, Marian Lauder, with Poole’s 2017 Australian World Championships squad. Photos by Graham Robins.

The 12 bonus points for Poole was probably the key factor with all the team amongst the points and only two last places during the match. For Horspath, the heat leader trio of Nowacki, Payne and Neighbour were in great form with 10 heat wins between them, although it was the ever-improving Will Jeffery who particularly caught the eye.

They were also unfortunate to lose the services of David Lieberman for the second half after a back injury curtailed his involvement.

Poole 91
Greg Gluchowski 17+2, Fraser Garnett 13+2, Maciej Ganczarek 13+2, Jay Briggs 12+1, Dean Hook 11+1, Wil Bristowe 10+2, Ben Tinsdale 10+2, Callum Smith 5.

Horspath 86
Lukasz Nowacki 18+1, Zac Payne 18, Jake Neighbour 16+1, Will Jeffery 13+1, Andy Johnson 7, Jack Ellis 5, Alice Neighbour 5, David Lieberman 4.