MATCH REPORT: Hawks beat Kesgrave and the weather
Hethersett 109 – 82 Kesgrave, South East 1, Sunday 11th May 2014
Hethersett Hawks/Swinton & Co entertained Kesgrave in three matches that had to endure heavy rain and strong winds but there was a lot of spirited racing from both clubs.
Although the Hawks maintained their 100% home record in Division 1, the highlight for the Hawks was the sight of six under-10s, including newcomers Toby Dunne, Dylan Crawley and Gabriel Escalera thrown into action by U16 team manager Katie Adams. Kesgrave also tracked a young side but they were more experienced than the Hawks and ran out clear winners, two wins from substitute Owen Wells saving a whitewash. Still a lot of encouragement for the future.
The Hawks’ first team had unbeaten performances from Nick Myhill, Lee Grange and Olly Riley to spearhead their win over the Suffolk side and there was also a good first outing of the season from Josh Herring. A fall by Dan Butler in heat two gave Kesgrave an early lead but three straight 7-2 defeats following exclusions put their hopes of victory beyond them.
The Combination Division match saw Butler and Olly Buxton unbeaten but the heavy conditions took its toll on the rest of the Hawks team and the young and fit Kesgrave riders took full advantage.
DIVISION ONE – Hethersett 109 Kesgrave 82
N.Myhill 24 L.Grange 23 O.Riley 20 J.Herring 19 O.Buxton 14 D.Butler 9
COMBINATION DIVISION – Hethersett 62 Kesgrave 91
O.Buxton 19 D.Butler 16 R.Carter 11 K.Adams 7 O.Wells 5 A.Nxon 4
YOUTH DIVISION – Hethersett 43 Kesgrave 87
A.Nixon 9 O.Weels 8 T.Dunne 7 L.Mallett 5 G.Awbery 5 D.Crawley 5 G.Escalera 3 K.Adams 1
Hethersett staged Round 2 of the Norfolk Grand Prix and 22 riders attended, 15 from Hethersett. There were wins for Danni Riley in the Ladies and Olly Riley in the Seniors.
There is a busy weekend this week at the Memorial Playing Field – on Saturday the Hawks stage Regional Round 3 of the British Youth and Junior League coupled with the South East Grand Prix for Seniors and Veterans (12 noon) while on Sunday all three League teams are in action again against Great Blakenham (1 pm)