MATCH REPORT: BYJL & South-East Grand Prix Round 2

Report by Andrew Parr

High winds and low temperatures greeted the riders for the second regional round of the BYJL/SEGP as storm Hannah passed over but the rain generally held off.

The event started with the U8s. Norwich’s Connor Jarrett was the class of the field scoring a maximum in qualifying. Riders from four different clubs were represented in the A final with Maisie Baker (Ipswich), Isaac Powling (Kesgrave) and Logan Farber (Great Blakenham) joining Connor. Having made a long trip from Sussex, it was good to see two Hellingly Lions riders in the U8s with Sam Ridley and Alfie Stephens both making the B final. They were joined in the B final by Kesgrave’s Jenson Long and Frank Spaul of Norwich.

Despite drawing gate 3, Connor comfortably won the A final but there was a good battle for second with Maisie taking it from Isaac and Logan not far behind.

Connor extends his lead in the SEGP championship over Maisie and Isaac who are joint second.

A very strong field of U10s were assembled for a very competitive U10 event. On top form and super confident, Lily Parr scored a maximum in qualifying to make the A final. Lily was joined in the A final by her Kesgrave team mates, Luca Woodhouse, Oliver Edmunds and Harvey Shumake; Harvey requiring lengthy treatment after a nasty fall.

After a good start from gate 2, Lily rounded the first corner in the lead and was not challenged all the way to the finish but needed to work hard as Luca was not too far behind. Oliver and Harvey finished close behind Luca in third and fourth respectively.

Kesgrave dominate this age group with two further riders in the B final. Oscar Hammond taking a comfortable victory and Charlie Spurgeon third. Norwich’s Will Blackmore took second and Emil Gowers of Ipswich taking fourth.

Harry Ridley (Hellingly), Thomas Jackaman (Kesgrave), Mitchel Baker (Ipswich) and Hayden Mitchell (Ipswich) finished in that order in the C final with Rhys Game of Kesgrave winning the D final.

Lily moves from fourth to second in the SEGP championship behind Luca with Oliver third and Harvey fourth.

Only four riders entered the U12 event with Kesgrave’s Ryker Jolly and Charlie Parr beating each other from the inner gates in qualifying.

Ryker prevailed in the A final with Charlie chasing hard but unable to challenge the leader. Detlan Baker of Ipswich was third and Norwich’s Shaun Kell fourth.

Ryker extends his lead in the SEGP championship from Charlie with Shaun and Detlan equal in third.

Again only four riders were entered in the U14s with Charlie Beeton (Kesgrave) out of action for a few more weeks. Class of the field, Harvey Young (Ipswich) was joined by team mate, Kai Gowers. Noah Woodhouse and Torsten Jolly made up the competitive foursome for Kesgrave.

The A final had to be restarted twice after incidents involving Noah and Kai with Noah requiring attention from the first aider. After a lengthy delay, Harvey took the victory with Torsten fighting hard all the way to the line in second. Noah came home third with Kai fourth.

Harvey extends his lead in the SEGP championship from Kai in second with Torsten and Noah joint third.

Youngsters Ella Case (Kesgrave) and Tabby Nierop (Norwich) qualified for the B final in the Girls event. Their older competitors, Daisy Jackaman, Phoebe Hammond (both Kesgrave), Josie Kell (Norwich) and Gemma Hill (Ipswich) all making the A final.

With Phoebe drawing inside Gemma, a close battle was anticipated between the two but, sadly, Phoebe was a little too eager and was excluded at the gate. This left Gemma to take a comfortable victory from Daisy and Josie.

Ella took the B final victory ahead of Tabby.

Gemma extends her lead in the SEGP championship with Josie and Phoebe now equal second.

The junior event was notable for the first appearance of the season of Ipswich’s Ben Clarke and James Porter both comfortably making the A final. Joining them in the A final were Hethersett’s Daniel Longlands and Aaron Robb (Kesgrave). Winner of the first round, Charlie Lythe (Hethersett) could only make the B final after a tumble in qualifying saw his hopes dashed. George Morley (Hellingly), Tom Blackmore (Norwich) and Paul Delaiche (Hethersett) joined Charlie in the B final.

Ben took victory in the A final followed home by James with Daniel in third and Aaron, in his first competitive outing after many months of injury, finishing a creditable fourth.

Charlie won the B final from George, Tom and Paul with Ipswich’s Kristian Mitchell winning the D final.

It is a Hethersett 1-2-3 in the in the SEGP championship with Charlie retaining his lead from Daniel and Paul.

There was a good turn out for the senior event with Ipswich brothers Matt and Ashley Hill taking first and second in the A final from Neil Hollebon (Hellingly) third and Fraser Harris (Ipswich) fourth.

Norwich’s Jamie Medler won the B final from evergreen Gary Brown of Kesgrave, Steve Hammond (Kesgrave) and Luke Dunningham (Ipswich).

Ashley extends his lead in the SEGP championship from Fraser and Jamie.

Only two veterans raced with Ipswich’s Phil Clarke taking the spoils from Steve Copping of Norwich.