NATIONAL LEAGUE: Round Up
The National League Is Formed
In 2023 the National League (NL) was born, derived from the combination league and the NHS league the NL came with written rules, a few spicy additions, a central results and table administrator as well as a few new teams.
As the name suggests teams from all over the UK could enter and six stepped forward.
The 2023 Season
Kesgrave Hammered In The Midlands
The first fixture of the season saw new kids on the shale Kesgrave, with their new signing 2015 British champion Zac Payne, take on the season favourites, Birmingham, at Perry Hall Park.
The visitors were outgunned by the experienced and confident Birmingham team. 12 points the difference with some saying “that will be the largest difference between two teams this year”. These words must have stuck in the minds of the young Kesgrave team as they made their way back to Suffolk.
Controversy In Wales
A match in Newport for Birmingham caused a little controversy as things got to the business end of the match with the result still debated between the two clubs.
Ipswich and Blakenham In Close Matches
A huge match in Suffolk looked sensational on paper and was a joy to watch as a neutral, with Blakenham coming from seven down with four heats to go, to lead Ipswich by two going into the last heat.
Ben Clarke did not want the match to slip away in the dying moments and made a pass from 2nd allowing his team mate through in the process to force a 7-3 and secure the match for Ipswich.
The rematch of Ipswich v Blakenham was once again an absolute cracker with no more than two points separating the teams the whole match with Ipswich the eventual winners by one.
Poole Have A Mixed Start
Poole almost upset Birmingham on their home shale but just missed out by a point.
Ipswich travelled to Poole with a significantly understrength team and were 24 behind after 18 heats.
Kesgrave Spring A Surprise
The first surprise result of the year came when Birmingham visited the tiny Kesgrave track. Birmingham, with three big hitters, were hoping they had enough to overpower Kesgrave but the Suffolk club had other ideas.
Heat three saw Kesgrave grab a heat advantage and then ride classic speedway with drawn heats for the rest of the match to finish two ahead and go into the rest of the season with real belief they could mix it with the best in Britain.
A win over Ipswich for Kesgrave came next and then a double header in the South West starting with a win in Newport where the heavens opened and a quick dash over to Poole for a difficult test and ultimately a loss for the visitors by two.
Birmingham Push For The Title
This left the door open for Birmingham to win the league with their final three matches of the season but a draw to Blakenham away was followed a shock loss at home in the return fixture.
Birmingham then failed to win at Ipswich.
Kesgrave 2023 Champions
Birmingham failed to reach the required points to take the title and Kesgrave were crowned as National league champions 2023.
Looking through the formulas for the season it was clear that the consistency of the team really played into Kesgrave’s hands. Having a maximum of one rider difference between each match won it for the Suffolk club.
It was great to see the winning club being the only club in the league to not field a guest rider for the whole season.
The 2024 Season
One change to the entry for the 2024 season with five teams entering instead of the six from 2023.
Defending champions Kesgrave won their opening two matches but struggled to field a full team week in week out and fell short for the season.
Birmingham And Poole Showdown
Poole, when they visited Birmingham, lost heavily but the return fixture at the harbourside was incredibly close with an unbelievable pass just on the line from Ollie Saunders really putting the bit between the teeth of the south coast riders.
Poole were one down going into heat 18 and came out with a heat advantage to take the tie by one and level up the points at the top of the table.
Birmingham Wait On Poole Results
With a loss to Kesgrave at the tight home of the British Club champions, Birmingham sat and waited on news from a triple header for Poole in Suffolk late in the season.
First up, Kesgrave. Poole demolished the opposition knowing they needed three wins to secure the title, they came all guns blazing and were convincing winners.
Poole then travelled 20 minutes down the road to Ipswich for an evening match which was so up and down. Poole ahead by two, then four, then all level, back ahead only to be pegged back again. Poole were ahead or level the whole match until Ipswich took the lead by two in the penultimate heat.
The final heat of this match could decide the title. The visitors saved the best until last and took maximum points (video in the comments below) to clinch the match and put one hand on the trophy.
All they had to do was avoid defeat at Blakenham the next day.
Go Karting in the morning calmed some nerves and bonded the team for one final push, winning by eight and took the 2024 title home to Poole.
Poole 2024 Champions
Poole will be presented with the National League trophy by the outgoing champions, Kesgrave, at this year’s indoor championships in January, so watch out for the celebrations by the team.
Entries For 2025
Work has already started to make the 2025 National League season even more exciting than the previous two.
A NL manager position may be advertised by the commission soon, so look out for this if you fancy continuing the great work already done by the core team.
Entries are open for the 2025 season with teams of six needed to enter with a maximum of 2 guest riders per match.
If your club fancies getting involved, please get in touch with Chris Timms in the first instance who will point you in the right direction.
All clubs across the nation are welcome to enter and who knows, could be crowned National League champions 2025.