MATCH REPORT: Saints march to Cookson Glory

July 5, 2019 Steve Copping

Heckmondwike Saints won round 4 of the Yorkshire League at Sheffield’s Cookson Park raceway on Wednesday evening, and now stand just one point behind leaders Hull (who surprisingly finished in third place). A dry but fast track provided plenty of opportunities for riders to overtake, and this they did in race after race. Heckmondwike got off to the best possible start with maximum 7 points in heats 1 and 2 from Darren Kent and Adam Watson and then Thomas Kent and Kyle Holland, both getting the better of Frank Auffret on lap three. The Kent/Watson pairing wracking up 27 out of a possible 28 points. Kielan Burton (Sheffield Stars) was the only rider to get the better of them, Kielan finishing ahead of Darren in heat 10. Kyle lost only to Nathan Everett, who won all three of his completed races. Heckmondwike had 62 points at the end of the pairs races, with Hull edging Sheffield by 36-35.
The racing turned up a notch with the individual extra races. Niamh Morton led heat 13, before being overhauled by both Frank Auffret and Thomas Kent, this gave Hull a three point lead over Sheffield. Luke Morton won heat 14, with Darren Kent passing David Cooper on the last corner to put the Stars back to one behind Hull. Kyle Holland charged around the outside on turns one and two to go on and win heat 15, Laura Watson being too quick for Jack Lister. The last race, for each teams top scorers, had Kielan on grid one, Nathan Everett (Hull) on two and Adam Watson on three. What followed was by far the race of the night. Kielan held his gate, with Nathan looking for a way past while at the same time having to defend against Adam. Nathan made his move on the first turn of lap three to move into the lead and seemingly seal second place for Hull. On the last corner Adam pounced to drift Nathan off the race line, what neither had planned was that Kielan was perfectly placed to pass both and take the checkered flag to raptous applause.

Scores

Sheffield Stars (48) – Laura Watson 13+1, Niamh Morton 8, Kielan Burton 17, Luke Morton 10+1.

Heckmondwike Saints (62) – Darren Kent 17, Adam Watson 16+3, Thomas Kent 11+1, Kyle Holland 18+1.

Hull (46) – Nathan Everett 14, David Cooper 9+1, Jack Lister 10, Frank Auffret 9+1, Terry Kirkup 4.

League standings

Hull 9.5 (223 race points), Heckmondwike Saints 8.5 (210), Sheffield Stars 6 (191).

Round 5 is at Heckmondwike’s Firth Park track on 17th July.