MATCH REPORT: Exeter record first win of the season

Exeter Aces clinched their first South West and Wales league victory of the season in their final home match against 2017 league champions Newport at Cofton Road. It was a hard fought match, in which the Aces always held the upper hand, despite the efforts of Welsh heat-leader duo of Carmichael and Davies.

Exeter put in a great shift, as a team, with Aaron Herbert and Craig Nethercott taking the majority of their race wins. Connor Tucker was another race winner and demonstrated good team riding skills throughout. Veteran Dave Murphy also weighed in with a race win, when he partnered Craig Nethercott to a maximum score in heat 15.

Rob Geach was, as always, in the thick of the action and featured in two of the best races of the day, including an epic battle with Davies and Evans in heat 17. Unfortunately his efforts fell ‘foul’ of the referee on a couple occasions and this restricted his scoring.

Chris Davies featured in Newport’s only maximum heat wins, with Simmons in heat 8 and with Evans in an eventful heat 17. With Newport needing a 7-0 to draw the match in heat 18, it was Carmichael who sped away to his fifth race win, whilst Murphy and Nethercott outpaced Chris Davies to ensure victory for the Aces.

Exeter 90
Aaron Herbert 18, Craig Nethercott 17, Connor Tucker 15, Dave Murphy 15, Ben Stanbury 8, Ben Robinson 8, Rob Geach 6, Lauren Hookway 3.

Newport 83
Mark Carmichael 22, Chris Davies 16, Colin Simmons 10, Nicky Evans 8, Joe Lewis 8, Callum Goward 11, Steve Clark 4, John Bosnan 4.