MATCH REPORT: Kesgrave ease to comfortable win
Kesgrave eased to a relatively comfortable National League win against Great Blakenham on a glorious Spring evening in Suffolk (Tuesday May 7th)
The National League Super Heat, where a team can nominate one rider to double their points in one heat, has been increased from six points behind to eight points behind for 2024.
Blakenham were eight points behind after three heats, Noah and Luca Woodhouse gaining maximum points in heat two as did Torsten and Ryker Jolly in heat three, and so the Super Heat was triggered.
Blakenham decided to call heat ten as the Super Heat and nominated their outstanding rider, Adam Peck, to gain double points. Blakenham were ten points behind by this stage but Adam duly won the heat doubling his points to eight, turning a 5-5 into a 9-5 result and reducing Blakenham’s deficit from ten to six points.
Kesgrave’s lead was back up to ten in the very next heat with Charlie Parr partnering Torsten; the lead continued to increase to the end of the match, Kesgrave eventually winning 105-76.
For Kesgrave, Zac Payne decided to limit his rides following a gruelling weekend at the European Club Championships and Charlie Beeton looked sharp contributing 17+1 from five riders.
For Blakenham, Josh Brooke looked quick despite an arm injury and it was nice to see former Kesgrave rider Chris Osbourne racing. Craig Marchant showed flashes of speed but Blakenham were probably suffering from a little early season rustiness, especially towards the end of the match when Kesgrave secured six maximums in the final eight heats.
Kesgrave – Torsten Jolly 18+4, Charlie Beeton 17+1, Noah Woodhouse 16+3, Ryker Jolly 15+2, Charlie Parr 15+1, Luca Woodhouse 15+1, Zac Payne 9+2
Blakenham – Adam Peck 25, Josh Brooke 12+1, Jason Ashford 12, Craig Marchant 11, Chris Osbourne 6+1, Ethan Mitchell 6+1, Ray Pyke 5
National League Standings:
https://kesgravepanthers.co.uk/national-league-standings/