CLUB NEWS: Hawks secure play-off place

Hethersett Hawks/Myhill Decorators secured a play-off place in the South East & Eastern League Division 1 by completing the double over Hellingly Lions from Sussex at a dry and dusty track on the Memorial Playing Field. Strength in depth was the key even though Dan Butler had an off-day and it was sensible team-racing from David Adams and Olly Buxton, who was unbeaten in his four rides, that steered the Hawks into a 14 point interval lead.

The visitors who were down on full-strength did rally in the second half to stop the Hawks making it to 100 points and a final heat 6-4 gave them their only heat win. Leigh Cossey, Liam Webster and Harley Hamill were strong heat-leaders for the Hawks.

HETHERSETT        99
H.Hammill 18 (5) L.Cossey 18 (5) L.Webster 16 (5) O.Buxton 14+2 (4) O.Wells 12+2 (5) D.Adams 10+3 (4) G.Morgan 6+1 (4) D.Butler 3 (2) P.Delaiche 2 (2)
 
HELLINGLY            81
N.Hollebon 19 (5) M.Hollebon 14+2 (5) S.Archer 14+1 (5) G.Morley 11+1 (6) J.Cox 9+1 (5) J.Morley 7 (5) H.Sexton 7 (5)

Hethersett had the luxury of having some fresh riders for the Division 2 match while the visitors had to rely on the same seven riders, conceding 30 penalty points in the process.

Hellingly took full advantage of home mistakes in the first half but three wins from substitute Liam webster and a stirring ride from David Adams after earlier disappointments saw the Hawks come strong in the second half. Owen Wells was the pick of the riders dropping just two points.

HETHERSETT B    (83+30) 113
O.Wells 16+2 (5) P,Delaiche 16 (5) D.Longlands 13 (5) L.Websyer 12 (3) C.Lyth 9 (5) K.Parr 8+3 (4) G.Morgan 5+2 (2) D.Adams 4+1 (3) plus 30 penalty points – restricted riders
 
HELLINGLY B        76
G.Morley 15+1 (5) H.Sexton 13 (6) S.Archer 11 (5) N.Hollebon 11 (4) M.Hollebon 10+1 (4) J.Morley 9 (5) J.Cox 7+1 (3)

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The previous day six Hethersett riders were in action at Eaton Park in the South-East & Eastern Grand Prix. Josie Kell (Girls) and Paul Delaiche (Under-18s) finished third while Shaun Kell also reached the A Final in the Under-10s.

Meanwhile Owen Wells was in action at Coventry in the British Elite GP events, finishing 8th in the Junior Final and also qualifying for the Senior Final. He wiill be back at Coventry on Saturday for the national round of the British Youth & Junior League and then with the rest of the Hawks on Sunday at Ipswich for League racing.

In midweek Shaun kell (Under-10s) Josie Kell (Under-13s) and Paul Delaiche (Under-16s) were all winners in the Norfolk GO-RIDE event at Eaton Park with Liam Webster winning the Senior Grand Prix.