MATCH REPORT: Adams and Bunting take Sheffield U14 victories
The Sheffield Stars continued link with the Sheffield schools saw the sixth staging of the Sheffield under 14 Individual Championships on a wet and windy Tuesday evening at the Graves Centre circuit. The success of the event is that two of the Stars young guns (Kyle Holland and Niall Morton) are previous winners of the title. This time two new names were added to the roster of winners. Charlotte Adams in the girls event and James Bunting (pictured) taking the boys title. Hurricane Gonzalo took its toll, with a number of schools being a no show. However, Handsworth Community Sports College arrived in force (with eight riders completely new to the sport).
Charlotte Adams was a clear winner in the girls championship, defeating Niamh Morton in the first three races. Charlotte won all three races from tapes to flag, including a win from the outside grid in race 2. The third race saw Niamh get into a couple of good passing positions, but each time found the door slammed shut.
It was James Bunting who was the clear winner in the boys championship. Winning all of his four rides in confident fashion. His main rival was always going to be Ed Morton. They met in heat 9, with Ed having the favourable draw of grid one. However movement before the tapes were released out Ed on a 2 metre handicap. James, not being one to look a gift horse in the mouth, raced away for comfortable win. A race off was needed to decide second place after Ed and Dan Rushton tied with 15 points. Ed making easy work of being on grid 4. Joe Twigg was the pick of the newcomers, taking two well deserved wins and looking very quick on his first time on a CS bike. Oliver Sullivan and William James also impressed with their speed and technique. While Lewis Caylor improved with every race. Conversations with the Sports teacher, during and after the event, were very positive and a possible link up with the school was discussed.
U-14 Girls Scorers – Charlotte Adams (King Edward VII) 12, Niamh Morton (King Edward VII) 9.
U-14 Boys Scorers – James Bunting (Meadowhead) 16, Ed Morton (King Edward VII) 15, Dan Rushton (Parkwood Academy) 15, Joe Twigg (Handsworth Community Sports College) 14, Lewis Caylor (Handsworth CSC) 10, William James (Handsworth CSC) 9, Charles May (King Edward VII) 9, Oliver Sullivan (Handsworth CSC) 9, Reece Hudson (Handsworth CSC) 8, Alex Durant (Handsworth CSC) 6, Tim Goddard (Handsworth CSC) 5, Eryk Longley (Handsworth CSC) 4.