MATCH REPORT: Eagles in command against Hawks

Hethersett Hawks suffered their first South East League Division 1 defeat of the season when Ipswich Eagles visited the Memorial Playing Field.

The Hawks were without four of their first team squad for a variety of reasons and the strong Ipswich side soon took command and led by 15 points at the interval.

After the break the Hawks rallied with wins from Leigh Cossey, Olly Buxton and Dan Butler to support Dan Chambers who only lost one race all afternoon. A 7-2 win in the final race meant that the Hawks only lost the second half by one point.

HETHERSETT 71
Dan Chambers 22+1 (6) Leigh Cossey 14+1 (5) Dan Butler 12 (6) Olly Buxton 12 (6) Roger Caryer 5+1 (4) Lee Hulcoop 4 (4) Katie Adams 2 (2)

IPSWICH EAGLES 87
Matt Hill 20 (6) Charlie Rumbold 17+1 (5) Richie Fellgett 13+1 (5) Ash Hill 13+2 (5) Dan knights 10+2 (5) Alex Harvey 10+1 (3) Fraser Harris 4+2 (3)

In the Division 2 match, Ipswich were again too strong as Hethersett gave more team experience to Adam Reeve, Sam Crossley and Daniel Longlands.

Credit is also due to 60+ vet Roger Carter and Lee Hulcoop in only his second match back after 14 years. Called into first-team action as well they were required to do eight races each on the day.

HETHERSETT 59
Roger Carter 12 (4) Lee Hulcoop 10 (4) Sam Crossley 9 (5) Adam Reeve 9 (5) Katie Adams 7+1 (5) Dan Butler 7 (2) Daniel Longlands 5 (5)

IPSWICH 101
Gemma Hill 16 (5) Chloe Pearce 15+1 (5) Alex Harvey 15+1 (4) Charlie- Jane Herbert 14 (4) Reece Johnson 13+3 (4) Fraser Harris 12+2 (4) Charlie Johnson 10+1 (3) Ian Johnson 6+2 (3)

Dan Chambers was the only Hethersett rider to contest the South-East Grand Prix at Ipswich and he had a good day taking a chance when it came to snatch second-place in the Senior category.

This weekend the Hawks are off to Poland to contest the European Club Championships.