MATCH REPORT: Poole gain revenge over Coventry
Report by Graham Sutton
Poole welcomed Coventry for the return fixture in the new English Charity Shield match up. A couple of weeks ago the south coast team travelled to the Midlands and were defeated 91-87. Looking to avenge this Poole put out a strong side despite still missing a couple of the regular first team.
Overcast skies and no wind at the Harbourside track made for some fast racing. The pairing of captain Will Bristowe and Fraser Garnett took the first heat with a one two, whilst the visitors captain Myke Grimes took the win in heat two.
Over the next couple of heats Poole had two more wins and continued to collect points before in heat five Cameron Gill took a fine win leading from tape to flag.
Heat six saw Poole’s Ben Mould up against Coventry’s Myke Grimes, a match up that looked like being a good battle until three quarters round the opening lap Grimes parted company with his bike leaving Mould to win with Aaron Smith taking second for a seven point heat for Poole.
The next three heats leading up to the break saw two wins for Poole whilst Adam Watson was the winner in heat seven. At the break Poole were leading the meeting 53-36.
After the break Coventry opened with a one-two before Poole hit back with a win, only then to see Coventry win to close the score to within 15points (67-52). Aaron Smith led another Poole one two in heat 13, with Coventry winning heat 14.
The return race in heat 10 between Ben Mould and Myke Grimes once again disappointed the purists expectation of a classic encounter as this time the Comets top man ended up on the deck on lap 1! Poole consolidated in the four heats winning three but also collecting more points for other placings.
Both teams deserved the crowd’s appreciation in their joint lap of honour after 18 entertaining and sportingly contested races – exactly what the Charity Shield was designed to provide.
Poole 101: Aaron Smith 17, Ben Mould 16, Wil Bristowe 14, Matt Mildon 12, Nathan Goulden 11, Kyran Yeatman 7, Ben Donohue 7, Jay Briggs 6.
Coventry 78: Myke Grimes 16, Adam Watson 13, Cameron Gill 12, Matt Lawrence 11, Kyle Barlow 9, Dan Drewitt 9, Tom Savage 7, Jim Bailey 1 (Retired injured).