MATCH REPORT: First Norfolk Champions crowned

Report by Mel Perkins, Photos courtesy of Jenny Melvin

HETHERSETT HAWKS / YELLOW BRICK MORTGAGES successfully staged the first cycle-speedway matches in the County since early March when they hosted two of the eight Norfolk Championships. The remaining six will be held over the next three Sundays, all at Hethersett.

The first event was the Under-8s with Frank Spauls, the sole Norwich Stars representative, being the pre-match favourite. He had three good wins but got off to a bad start in his final ride and home rider Luca El Labany got away and never looked like being caught. He completed an excellent maximum to take the title with Max Pugh putting in four steady rides to finish third on the podium. There were four new recruits in the line-up and they all had their moments, especially Grace Cameron who enjoyed beating her older brother.

Scores – Luca El Labany (Hethersett) 16, Frank Spauls (Norwich) 15, Max Pugh (Hethersett) 14, Ronnie Harding (Hethersett) 13, Henry Adderson (Hethersett) 12, Benedict Kohler (Hethersett) 11, Grace Cameron (Hethersett) 10, Noah Cameron (Hethersett) 9, Alex Thompson (Hethersett) 8.

Norwich’s Josie Kell duly defended her Ladies title with a comfortable maximum but her six Hethersett opponents put on an excellent show of racing for the minor places. Amelie Marling made a good pass in her last ride to ensure runners-up but a race-off was needed for third place overall. Aiesha Musa saw off a gallant challenge from the younger Lola Martin to take the chequered flag. Jasmine Swan looked promising while Thalia Silver and Amelia Dodson both bravely continued after crashes.

Scores – Josie Kell (Hethersett) 16, Amelie Marling (Hethersett) 14, Aiesha Musa (Hethersett) 11, Lola Martin (Hethersett) 11, Jasmine Swan (Hethersett) 8, Amelia Dodson (Hethersett) 6, Thalia Silver (Hethersett) 4.

The referee was David Ewbank.

This Sunday it is the turn of the Under-10s (14.00) and Under-19s (16.00)