MATCH REPORT: Bury still strong despite being under strength

Despite the fact that Bury were missing several regular first team riders, they were still too strong for a pretty much full strength Northumbria.

The visitors tried hard throughout to keep the scores close, Michael Parr riding through the pain barrier of a leg injury sustained at Hull to win his final race in some style, while Gavin Parr was only denied his now customary max after a desperate lunge from Ben Scranage in the final heat brought him down, the race however not stopped as Ryan Livesy rode past both the two fallen riders.

Chris Parish top scored for the home side, dropping his only point in another hard fought encounter with Gavin Parr, James Elston also among the big points in support, with Neil Howarth providing strong back up.

BURY 96
Chris Parish 18+1, James Elston 17+1, Ryan Livesey 16, Ben Scranage 14+2, Neil Howarth 14+2, Adam Taylor 7+1, Steve Mann 6, Kaysor Mohammedi 4

NORTHUMBRIA 82
Gavin Parr 19, Daniel Wharrier 12+2, Jason Keith 12, Michael Parr 11, Terry Kirkup 10+1, Dan Redshaw 8, Andy Knowles 7+1, Keith Oldham 4+1

Northumbria have most of this season chosen to give newer riders a chance in their second team, but with no newcomers travelling this weekend ended up putting out an experienced side, which got the win in what turned out to be a hard fought match.

Bury’s youngsters manoeuvred themselves several times into positions to keep back the chasing visiting riders, resulting in a few falls and calls to the referee which livened up the competitiveness of the meeting. The visitors were certainly more and more motivated as the match went on to make sure of the points, Dan Redshaw and Daniel Wharrier being backed up by the clubs veterans and running out comfortable winners as perhaps expected in the end.

BURY 67
James Elston 16+1, Steve Mann 16+1, Kaysor Mohammedi 13+1, Harry Radford 7, Adam Taylor 6, Louis Turner 6, Daniel Miller 3

NORTHUMBRIA 81
Dan Redshaw 18, Daniel Wharrier 15+2, Neil Magee 15, Keith Oldham 12+2, Jim Graham 10+1, Andy Knowles 9+1, Lewis Petre 2

Lewis Petre fought a lone battle against 11 home riders, doing a brilliant job of only dropping three points and also taking a fine race win. There is no doubt this 8 year old set a superb example to all of how to ride in this sport, ever smiling and never complaining. Northumbria now just having to wait for their Div 3 captain and his team mates to grow a little as they develop into the top young racers we are sure they will become.

BURY 98
Lewis Turner 16

NORTHUMBRIA 13
Lewis Petre 13