MATCH REPORT: Horspath v Wednesfield

June 13, 2019 Steve Copping

Last Sunday (9th June) the Hammers welcomed the Midlands side Wednesfield Aces to the village track. With the track in good nick following the recent rains, perfect watering, the Hammers fielded their strongest team of the season, showing the respect for the Aces.

Heat one started a bad day for Hammers Jake Neighbour, who twitched at the start and was excluded. Jack Ellis managed to split the away pairing of Harry Everiss and Lee Kemp.Hammers looked strong on paper and duly secured heat advantages in the next two races, with the Nowacki/Jeffery pairing and Payne and Horsley duo. Heat four saw Neighbours day end with a horrific fall after a tussle with the impressive Jordy Holcroft, who was always in the thick of the action. Both riders hit the third bend at the same time and flipped spectacularly over their handlebars, with Neighbour thumping his head on the concrete and temporarily being knocked out. After a delay whilst the first aiders assessed him, he gingerly walked back to the pits, but it was obvious his day was over with a resultant trip to his home, Swindon A & E confirming concussion. The track action resumed with a fine win by Jack Ellis over Lee Kemp and with Jack Harrold blocking Lees’ Dad Graham, the advantages continued. Payne and Horsley completed another 6-4 in heat 6 over the ever pressing Chris Jewkes with talented youngster Ellis Richmond not far off the pace at the rear, and showing what a prospect he is.

Heat 7 saw another heat advantage for Wednesfield, with Matt Smith storming to the front and heading Ellis and Harrold. Harrold overcooked the corner and bit the dust, allowing another top young prospect Tyler Bould to take advantage and secure a 6-4 to keep the Aces in contention and only 5 points down. However with the strong Nowacki/Jeffery pairing banging in another heat advantage and Dave Liebermann continuing his strong comeback with Horsley, the Hammers went in to the break at 14 points up. The Aces claimed the inside grids for the rest of the match but could not get back in to the match, not for the want of trying, but running in to a very much in form Hammers side who were team riding well and picking up vital points advantages. The meeting ended in typical style with Payne and Jeffery executing the perfect team riding first bend, one in and one out to smother Lee Kemp’s attempts to split them. Overall a very entertaining meeting for the crowd and riders.

Final score Hammers 100-76 Aces

Scorers

Horspath Hammers

Lukas Nowacki 18+1 bonus,Zac Payne 17+2, Jack Ellis 16,Dave Liebermann 14+1,Will Jeffery(captain) 12+1, Jack Harrold 11+1,George Horsley 10+1,Jake Neighbour 2