CLUB NEWS: Panthers victorious at Newport

Words and Photos by Andrew Parr

Kesgrave Panthers Charlie and Lily Parr made the long trip from Kesgrave to Newport CSC at the weekend for this year’s Welsh Riders Championships. Newport were hosting this year’s event and despite the torrential rain of the previous two days, the track looked in excellent condition.

Current British U10 Girls Champion, Lily, was defending her Welsh U10 title and looked in impressive form, riding to a maximum in qualifying. Fellow Suffolk riders, Mitchell and Maisie Baker (Ipswich Eagles), had a titanic battle during qualifying with fast starting Maisie holding off her older brother for a lap and a half before Mitchell’s extra power eventually told; both joined Lily in the final. Lily retained her title with a comfortable victory in the final, Mitchell was second and Maisie third; a clean sweep of the podium for Suffolk riders.

The U13 and U16 qualifying heats were run together with Kesgrave’s Charlie Parr impressing. During qualifying, Charlie held off a determined first corner challenge from Newport’s Sam Marsh to take a hard fought victory. Charlie qualified for the U13 final, dropping just one point to East Newport’s U16 Dan Wright. Sam also qualified for the U13 final along with Ipswich’s Detlan Baker, brother of Mitchell and Maisie. Sam was frustrated to be excluded from the final for jumping the start, leaving Charlie to take the title with Detlan finishing second.

Charlie and Sam also qualified for the U16 final along with Dan who powered away for a convincing victory. Charlie rode to another podium finishing third, Sam getting the better of him this time to take second.

It was a good day for Kesgrave Panthers with Charlie and Lily both securing titles, and for Suffolk as a whole with Ipswich Eagles Detlan, Mitchell and Maisie all finishing on the podium.

Our thanks to Newport CSC for hosting an excellent meeting.