MATCH REPORT: Sheffield record big win over Glasgow

The curtain came down on the North and Scotland League, with Glasgow Cyclones the visitors at Sheffield’s Cookson Park raceway. Conditions were perfect, a day of heavy rain left the track surface very grippy (which the Sheffield riders would exploit), and the warm sunshine almost made it seem like a spring day. Glasgow arrived with number one rider Andy MacDougal sporting a sling from an injury suffered in the Cyclones 69-74 loss at Stockport earlier in the day. Andy’s injury was later diagnosed as a broken collarbone.
Sheffield showed no mercy as they raced to a 95-55 victory, the Stars biggest win of the season, to finish third in the table (their best position since being runners up in 2014). James Morris finished the season with a four ride maximum, Luke Morton joining the youngster with an unbeaten score. Sheffield riders won everyone of the fifteen races, achieving the maximum 7-3 score in eight of those. All of the main team returned a double figure total, with the Stars trio of riders on the GB training squad – Kielan Burton, Niamh Morton and Laura Watson all justifying their selections. Glasgow riders played their part in a very entertaining fixture, the fast starting Cyclones making the Sheffield riders use every inch of the track to make passing moves. Joe Beuckmann scored three second places while first year riders Chris Flynn and Simon Morris were always in the thick of the action. Stand out passes were made by Steven Webber on Simon Morris and Kielan Burton on Jim Alexander.

Scorers

Sheffield Stars – Kielan Burton 18, Niamh Morton 15+2, Luke Morton 18+2, Steven Webber 12, James Morris 16, Laura Watson 14+4, Jeb Knight 2.

Glasgow Cyclones – Colin Gray 7, Simon Morris 9, Chris Flynn 12+1, Jim Alexander 7+1, Joe Beuckmann 13, Lachlan MacDougal 5+1, Chic Mackie 2.

Sheffield’s James Morris was the only under 13 rider present, he had the one race to secure the Stars a 4-0 victory for the Division Three points. The result elevated Sheffield to a fourth place finish in the table.