MATCH EPORT: Stars see off gallant effort from Fife

Report by Rob Mawhood

Sheffield Stars brushed aside a gallant effort from Fife Revolution by 116-63 to record their sixth successive win in Division One of the North and Scotland League.

Sheffield’s 2024 squad is the strongest assembled, today they had Ed Morton (illness), Niall Morton (injury) and Dariusz Pilas on the sidelines.

The pattern of the match was set in the very first race. Calan Cuthbert made a fast start and led right up to the final corner. He’d been stalked all the way by Aiden Owen,  who struck on the final turn and got team-mate Kieran Hale through for the maximum 7 points.

Kayden Davidson led heat 2, before being passed by Pawel Idziorek,  Wil Banyard fell after catching Davidson’s rear wheel when exiting turn two at high speed.  Heat three saw Leon Wild then Kyle Holland power around the outside of Jason Keith,  who led for two laps. This continued to happen in race after race, Fife riders making the starts only for Sheffield to pick them off.

Fife had a solitary race winner, Jason Keith winning heat 6. Sheffield rattled in eleven maximum 7 point heat scores, would have been twelve but for a minus one from Kyle Holland in heat 11. Sheffield completed the victory with newly crowned British Womens champions Lizzie Rigley and Laura Watson riding to a 7-3 in heat 18.

For Sheffield four riders went through the card unbeaten  – Pawel Idziorek,  Leon Wild,  Kielan Burton and Lizzie Rigley.

Fife were shell shocked by Sheffield’s strength in depth, with the riders points return not truly reflecting the effort they put into the match. 

The Sheffield & Fife teams after the match. Photo by Nicola Banyard

Scorers

Sheffield  – Aiden Owen 12+3, Kieran Hale 11, Leon Wild 18+2, Kyle Holland 18+2, Wil Banyard 13, Pawel Idziorek 21+3, Kielan Burton 11+1, Laura Watson 5+1, Lizzie Rigley 7+1.

Fife – Harry Langdale 9, Calan Cuthbert 8, Kayden Davidson 11, Jake Ferguson 13+1, Dougie Morgan 7, Jason Keith 15+1.

Referee  – Niall Morton.