MATCH REPORT: Both teams open title defences with victories

Report by Andy Schofield

Hull travelled to Bury for a North & Scotland League fixture on a stormy day. The opening exchanges were closely fought on a wet track that benefitted from a new surface with Jack Lister / Liam Bennett taking a 6-4 in heat 3 to open a narrow lead for the visitors. Tom Dunphy / Ben Higham took a well worked 6-4 for Bury in heat 5 before the Jack Lister / Liam Bennett pair restored Hull’s lead in the next race with another 6-4. Tactical substitute Ben Higham was used to good effect to take a maximum heat win with Danny Taylor in heat 7 to give the home side a two point interval lead.

The weather worsened for the second half with continuous rain in a near gale for the duration of the match and Eryk Motala / Danny Taylor immediately extended Bury’s lead with a maximum heat win. There was then a run of four drawn heats before Danny Taylor / Ben Higham took a 7-3 for the home side only for Hull to hit straight back with their own 1-2 from Lewis Foxley and Jack Lister. This gave Bury a six point advantage going into the nominated races and Hull kept in the hunt with a good Lewis Foxley / Noah Lyon 6-4 in heat 16 before Bury made sure with two drawn races.

The match was hard fought but raced in a good spirit and well officiated by Harry Radford. Lewis Foxley and Jack Lister were on top form for Hull with Rich Gibson impressing on his seasonal debut while Danny Taylor, Reece Pollitt and Ben Higham led the way for the current champions.



Division One:

Bury 91: Reece Pollitt 19, Danny Taylor 17+2, Ben Higham 14+3, Tom Dunphy 13, Eryk Motala 11, Adam Taylor 9+1, Owen Simcock 1.

Hull 86: Lewis Foxley 21, Jack Lister 18+2, Rich Gibson 17+1, Liam Bennett 10+1, Noah Lyon 9+2, Kacey Bennett 9, Harry Gibson 1.



Division Three:

Hull started their division three title defence with a 66 points to 14 win with five Hull riders facing Bury’s Bobby Dunphy. Harry Gibson had an impressive match with an unbeaten 16 points while team mate Ellwood Harrison was only beaten by Bobby who in turn dropped his only points to Harry.

Division Three:

Under 10:

Bury 0

Hull 16: Alexis Woodcock 16.



Under 13:

Bury 14: Bobby Dunphy 14.

Hull 50: Harry Gibson 16, Ellwood Harrison 14, Will Hollich 10, Sophia Temple 10.



Bury 14 Hull 66.



In division two Bury were unable to field a side and forfeited the fixture.