MATCH REPORT: Heckmondwike take narrow victory over Hull

Report by Andy Schofield

Hull played hosts to Heckmondwike in North & Scotland Division 2 and 3 fixtures. The Division two match was raced on a track that had dried out after a morning shower and the home side started brightly with a heat two 7-3 for Harry Gibson / Kacey Bennett. Heckmondwike replied with their own maximum race win in heat five through Justin Naylor / Pat Beacock before Spencer Glenton / Ryan Tomkinson gave Hull a two point lead thanks to a 6-4 win in heat seven. Ten heats would end up being drawn with Hull winning and the Saints filling second and third places and this continued into the second half before the visitors took advantage of a Spencer Glenton fall to record a heat 11 maximum by Elliot Long / Pat Beacock. They then extended that lead to four points with a Darren Kent / Ian Johnson 6-4 in the following heat and held firm to record a 77 points to 73 victory.

Rich Gibson scored an excellent maximum for Hull in his first team match after a lay off due to illness and son Harry was also on top form only dropping one point and continuing his British under 12 form. Spencer Glenton won his first three races but was unfortunate to fall twice in the second half in a mainly junior side while Heckmondwike’s team consisted mainly of veteran riders. They won only three races but crucially only came in last on two occasions with Pat Beacock, Elliot Long and Darren Kent heading a consistently strong line-up in a very sporting contest.

Hull 73: Rich Gibson 20, Harry Gibson 19, Spencer Glenton 14, Kacey Bannett 8+1, Ryan Tomkinson 7, Ellwood Harrison 5.

Heckmondwike 77: Darren Kent 16, Elliot Long 14+2, Pat Beacock 13+4, Justin Naylor 12+1, Philip Vanner 12+1, Ian Johnson 10+4.



In Division 3 Hull had a big 124 points to 28 win thanks to having 12 riders to Heckmondwike’s two. The Saints James Vanner was unbeaten in the under 10’s with Alexis Woodcock and Tommy Tenwick also on top form for Hull. In the under 13’s Spencer Glenton rode unbeaten with Harry Gibson scoring 14 points while Ellwood Harrison and the visitors Joseph Green recorded 12 points each.



Under 10’s

Hull 56: Tommy Tenwick 14, Alexis Woodcock 14, Fletcher Glenton 10, Penny Tenwick 10, Bella Tenwick 8.

Heckmondwike 16: James Vanner 16.