MATCH REPORT: Hawks back on top after local derby win
Hethersett Hawks/Swinton & Co went back to the top of the South East League after completing the double over their local rivals Norwich Stars at a sunny Memorial Playing Field.
The 96-83 score looks comfortable enough but does not tell the full story. A topsy-turvy first half saw the Hawks make silly mistakes and rely heavily on the speed of Dan Chambers and team-riding skills of Leigh Cossey. They also saw Harley Hamill suffer a hand injury that saw him miss a few rides.
Others were not so competent against wily veterans Chris Cullum and Alan Parkins. A 7-3 from recent signing Shaun Brown and Cossey brought the scores level at the break. A half-time chat seemed to do the trick as after the interval the Hawks settled into more sensible riding and only lost one race in the second half when substitute Owen Wells fell heavily on the first corner.
Chambers went on to complete a maximum while it is worth mentioning the spirit of Norwich’s Paddy Wenn – he travelled back from the Eurovets in Edinburgh the previous day and then had an eventful afternoon which included one collision that sent him over the handlebars – who said cycle speedway riders were not dedicated athletes?
HETHERSETT 96
Dan Chambers 24 (6) Leigh Cossey 20+3 (6) Olly Buxton 17 (6) Shaun Brown 15+1 (6) Dan Butler 13+1 (6) Harley Hamill 5+1 (3) Owen Wells 2 (3)
NORWICH 83
Alan Parkins 19+2 (6) Chris Cullum 19 (6) Jamie Medler 14 (6) Paddy Wenn 11+2 (6) Gary ColBy 10 (4) Alex Dyball 8+1 (6) Rohan Ewbank 1 (1) Mason Parkins 1 (1)
Referee – Shaun Dyball
The Division 2 match that followed was one of the best in that Division seen for many years with both teams producing exciting heats littered with errors. A good ride each from Katie Adams and Owen Wells meant that the Hawks needed a 7-3 win in the final heat to force a draw. Olly Buxton and Dan Butler were lucky to get a restart when the needed result looked unlikely but they rode their luck to get the result and tie the match.
HETHERSETT B 65
Dan Butler 20 (5) Olly Buxton 16+3 (5) Owen Wells 11(4) Katie Adams 7(4) Nigel Longlands 6 (4) Daniel longlands 5+1 (4)
NORWICH B 65
Mason Parkins 16 (5) Rohan Ewbank 15 (4) Jamie Medler 13 (5) Alex Dyball 10+4 (4) Ciarin Wenn 6 (4) Michael Jones 5+1 (4)
Referee – Gary Colby
Owen Wells came second in the South East Grand Prix Under-14s at Spixworth.
The Hawks’ next League action is a potential League decider when Ipswich Eagles visit Hethersett on 27th September.
South East League Tables
| S-EAST 1 | PL | W | D | L | F | A | PTS |
| Hethersett | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 893 | 717 | 16 |
| Ipswich Eagles | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 868 | 636 | 14 |
| Ipswich Whirlwinds | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 762 | 674 | 12 |
| Kesgrave | 10 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 860 | 925 | 10 |
| Norwich | 11 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 955 | 1008 | 8 |
| Gt Blakenham | 10 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 832 | 965 | 6 |
| East London | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 751 | 983 | 0 |
| DIV TWO | PL | W | D | L | F | A | PTS |
| Kesgrave B | 9 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 655 | 496 | 15 |
| Ipswich B | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 516 | 370 | 13 |
| East London B | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 500 | 492 | 8 |
| Gt Blakenham B | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 489 | 505 | 7 |
| Hethersett B | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 445 | 552 | 4 |
| Norwich B | 10 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 546 | 730 | 3 |