MATCH REPORT: Whirlwinds get title defence off to good start
Ipswich Whirlwinds started the defence of their SE1 title by welcoming Kesgrave Panthers to Whitton Raceway.
Kesgrave bolstered by the loan signing of Leon Mower, a Whirlwind last year, had a good mix of youth and experience and Ipswich welcomed back Dan Pike after an extended break from the sport.
Ipswich dominated the opening heats, with the power pairing of Ben Harvey and Jamie Chittock recording good wins and Dan Pike sheparding young Harrison Bacon, captain for the day, to 3 good wins.
Leon Mower showed why he’s one of the best team riders in the league, eventually finishing with 4 bonus points, riding well with young team partner Lewis Brinkoff to record some nicely worked 5-5’s, while Gary Brown and Ray Pyke got stuck in as always.
Ipswich took their foot off the gas in the second half and kesgrave finished with a flourish, recording deserved 7-3’s in heats 14 and 16, but were unable to stop the peerless Harrison Bacon powering to a 5 rides, 5 wins maximum score in heat 15, while team manager Josh Brooke was also only headed by a team partner across his 5 races.
Lewis Brinkoff showed why he is one of the brightest prospects in the south east region, top scoring for his team and new rider Keanu Bowers showed he has bags of potential, riding well from reserve.
The Whirlwinds now turn their attention to Elite League duty in 2 weeks against the league new comers Coventry and with so many riders in good form, new team manager Ivan Pike has got a tough job on his hands to narrow the 2 Ipswich teams down to just 8 riders.
Kesgrave are next in action at home to Norwich and on this showing they are more than capable of chalking up their first win of the 2016 season.
IPSWICH WHIRLWINDS 89
Harrison Bacon (C) 20, Josh Brooke 19+1, Jamie Chittock 16+1, Ben Harvey
12+2, Dan Pike 12+2, Ben Clarke 6, Phil Clarke 4.
KESGRAVE 71
Lewis Brinkhoff 14+1, Ray Pyke (C) 13+2, Leon Mower 12+4, Gary Brown 11,
Keanu Bowers 9+1, Richie Foote 7, Tyler Brinkhoff 5+1