MATCH REPORT: Poole off the bottom with emphatic win

June 30, 2014 editor

Poole 102 – 72 Newport, Elite League, Sunday 29th June 2014

Poole belatedly kick started their Elite League season with a convincing win against a weakened Newport side in front of a healthy sized crowd at Harbourside Park.

Two of the World’s top juniors clashed in the opening race with Adam Bozejewicz getting the verdict over Arek Szymanski before the Dorset side reeled off three 7-3 wins in the next 5 heats to lead by 11 points, only for Szymanski to move at the tapes to gift the visitors a 7-2, reducing the deficit back to six. Race wins featuring Greg Gluchowski and Ben Donohue moved the interval scoreline to 50-37 as Poole moved firmly back into the driving seat.

Arek Szymanski in action for Poole

With the advantage of inside grids after the break, Newport were able to share the next four races, with heat 11 the pick as Mark Carmichael just held off the strong challenge of Gluchowski. Mindful that they could move off the foot of the table with a 25+ margin of victory, Poole turned on their trademark strong finish with three maximum heats with Dean Hook taking his third straight race win from reserve in heat 15, when he teamed up with skipper Greg Gluchowski to lower the colours of Mark Carmichael.

Despite their absentees, Newport kept fighting right down to the final race when Bozejewicz held off a determined challenge from Gluchowski for his second race win of the day. In truth however, their tactic was largely one of damage limitation while the home side were looking for a morale boosting win before their home clash with Wednesfield in 4 weeks time.

While the visitors relied heavily on their top two of Carmichael and Bozejewicz, Poole were solid from top to bottom typified by Gavin Wheeler who picked up bonus points in 4 of his 5 races and Ben Donohue who raced unbeaten.

Gluchowski and Harris leading from the front

Poole 102
Greg Gluchowski 17+1 Gav Wheeler 14+4 Dean Hook 14 Arek Szymanski 13+1 Arron Morgan 12+2 Ben Donohue 11+1 Aaron Smith 11+1 Steve Harris 10+3.

Newport 72
Mark Carmichael 15+1 Adam Bozejewicz 15 Adama Bennett 10 Aaron Herbert 10 Colin Smimmons 7+1 Nicky Evans 7 Oli Sidwick 5+1 Joe Sidwick 3

In the Elite match race, Greg Gluchowski won the toss for grids and headed Mark Carmichael home after 4 tactical laps of racing.