MATCH REPORT: Midlands on the march in Supertrax Battle of Britain

The Supertrax Battle of Britain round 3 fixture between Midlands and South West and Wales took place on a boiling hot June day at East Park Cycle Speedway Club last Sunday.

In the elite men’s class, Paul Heard won heat one, but the result saw the South West and Wales taking the lead, because the hard riding Lee Kemp was excluded. This was to be the only time in the match the Southern team would be in front.

Heat 2 saw the first of five, 7-3 heat wins for the Midlands, who would go on to win this meeting by 105 points to 90.

The ultimate captain, leading from heat 1 was Wednesfield star Paul Heard with six wins from his six rides. It would appear the Midlands will take some beating in this new competition.

Good support for Paul and his team was given from Brandon Whetton, who started riding with East Park so knows his way around the long track, and a special effort from Matt Smith, which included 3 straight wins in the first half.

PHOTOS: See East Park’s album by Fifty Seven Studio here

South West and Wales star rider, with 3 wins and a top score of 18 points was Zac Payne.  Jack Harrold managed 2 wins and featured in the only two 7-3 heat wins to the South West and Wales.

In the elite junior class, the Midlands looked favourites before the start, fielding a full 8 rider team. South and South West’s young side were going to give it their best under captain Sean Bennett.

There were plenty of thrills and spills in the junior match. Photos by Fifty Seven Studio.

The Midlands got off to a great start with a maximum 7-3 through Carl Parfitt and Damian Pelacyzk. Heat 2 brought another 7-3 to the home side, this time Ewan Hancox with Brandon Whetton shouting instructions all the way round 4 laps.

In heat 3, the South West and Wales hit back with a race win from Frazer Garnett before Parfitt and Whetton answered with another 7-3. A sizeable lead was building up of a clear 10 points.

This lead was a good cushion and remained intact until heat 9, when the Midlands increased the pressure with a quick-fire 6-4 and 7-3 to take the totals at heat 11 to 63-45.

The Southerners struck back with their only 7-3 afterwards, courtesy of the two best riders for the their team on the day, Sean Bennett and Fraser Garnett.

The match concluded 78-61 to the home side. Top scorers for Midlands were Damian Pelacyzk, Brandon Whetton and Ewan Hancock, all were unbeaten by the opposition. The Southern group, were well lead by captain Sean Bennett. He was top scorer with 12 points from 5 rides.


Report: Val Hill