MATCH REPORT: 3 wins out of 3 for Sheffield in Yorkshire Derby

The Sheffield Stars moved off the bottom of North and Scotland League One table with a 99-80 home victory, their first win of 2018, in a Yorkshire derby against Hull.

Hull now sink to the bottom position. The visitors, already missing Adam Stephenson and David Cooper, had Dave and Jack Lister ruled out by illness at the last moment. Sheffield welcomed back Sam Haines, who has been absent while studying for his exams, and were thankful to Chris Turner, who came in to cover for Adam Watson and Laura Watson.

The first race had Andy Angell power around Chris Turner on lap two, for the first of his unbeaten six races. Sheffield took the lead in heat two with a fine maximum 7 points from Kielan Burton and Niall Morton over Nathan Everett.

It was the beginning of an outstanding afternoon for Niall, this being the first of four races where he assisted the Stars to a 7 point maximum heat score. His only loss would be against Andy Angell in heat 8, when the three time British Champion produced a tremendous turn of speed to accelerate past on lap two.

Sheffield were well led by Chris Turner, who won three times (on two occasions getting the better of Josh Bellis with strong inside passes). Of the Stars septet, only Sam Haines did not register a race win. However, this was his first match since the opening day of the season in March.

Andy Angell was in imperious form, which included a sub 39 second race win in heat 11. A time only three riders have bettered this season (Dawid Bas, Myke Grimes and Paul Heard), but particularly impressive considering the dry/dusty track conditions. Nathan Everett improved after a sluggish start, going unbeaten in his last four races. Josh Bellis weighed in with two race wins to be the only other visiting rider to beat any of the Stars.

As top scorer for Hull Andy acquired the match race title due to Adam Watson’s absence.

Sheffield 99
Chris Turner 20, Luke Morton 14+3, Ed Morton 14+3, Sam Haines 13+1, Kielan Burton 15+2, Niall Morton 19+4, Niamh Morton 4.

Hull 80
Andy Angell 23+1, Rich Pawson 8, Dan Teal 6, Nathan Everett 18+1, Josh Bellis 19, Katie Greaves 6.

Referee – Rob Mawhood

Sheffield won the League Two match by 94-56 (after adjustments this became 100-40) to keep in the hunt for the title. The Stars are currently level on points with Fife and Astley, but have an inferior race points difference.

The top two though are yet to visit Sheffield. Hull are now winless in seven, and due to a points deduction have a minus points total. Hull were left with just four riders, with the Listers withdrawing through illness. Sheffield providing Luke Morton, Edward and Erin Balfour as guests.

The Stars team were all under 16, with debutant Oliver Mackenzie the youngest at 10. Oliver, who had ridden in the League Three match earlier, managed two race wins and bounced back from a last race crash to finish second in the re-run.

Luke Morton won three races for Hull, but these were expunged on adjustment. This meant that James Morris would finish with a 20-point maximum score. James is a Stars new recruit in 2018 and is improving with every match.

The rest of the Stars sextet only lost out to Dan Teal, who recorded two wins and a second place from his five rides. Dan had shown in the first team match that he had the pace, which he put to good effect from grid ones in heats 1 and 5. Katie Greaves, Regan and Logan Stubbs gave everything for Hull, but could not match the pace of the speedy Sheffield team.

Sheffield 94
Kielan Burton 17+1, Logan Perkins 15+4, Sam Haines 15+3, Oliver Mackenzie 16+1, Niamh Morton 12+5, James Morris 19.​

Hull 56
Dan Teal 15, Edward Balfour (guest) 5, Luke Morton (guest) 12, Katie Greaves 8, Regan Stubbs 8, Logan Stubbs 5, Erin Balfour (guest) 3.

Referee – Dave Shoat

Sheffield won the League Three match (for under 13’s) by 64-8, the team strengthened by the debuts of Erin Balfour and Oliver Mackenzie. Erin had practiced the previous Thursday, while Oliver had attended with Nether Edge Primary School as part of the Stars work with Sheffield schools. Both scored a respectable 10 points. Logan Perkins won all four of his races for a 16-point maximum, with Edward Balfour and James Morris each winning twice. Logan Stubbs was the lone Hull rider, and youngest racing, competing well for his 8 points.

Sheffield 64 
Logan Perkins 16, Edward Balfour 14, James Morris 14, Erin Balfour 10, Oliver Mackenzie 10.

Hull 8
Logan Stubbs 8.

Referee – Dave Shoat