MATCH REPORT: Hull v Sheffield

Report by Andy Schofield

Hull played hosts to Sheffield in their first North & Scotland home fixture of the season.

In division three Sheffield had to concede due to having no riders and Hull raced to a 110 points to nil win with Ellwood Harrison unbeaten in the under 13’s and Alexis Woodcock winning all her under 10 races.

Division Three: Hull 110 Sheffield 0

Under 13’s: Ellwood Harrison 16, Jayden Bennett 14, Sophia Temple 12, Aaliyah Temple 10, Parker Galloway 10, Katiya Umunyana 8.

Under 10’s:  Alexis Woodcock 16, Tommy Tenwick 12, Penny Tenwick 8, Bella Tenwick 4.

In Division Two Hull fielded a team of under 16 year olds against the current champions and started well with a 6-4 to Noah Lyon / Ellwood Harrison.  Sheffield hit back immediately with two maximum heat wins and built up a fourteen point lead by the interval.  The visitors began the second half brightly and Hull’s highlight came in the penultimate race with a fine 7-3 to Harry Gibson & Jayden Bennett.  Noah Lyon rode to an excellent maximum for the home side with all Shefield’s side scoring well and a special mention for Nichola Banyard for stepping in to make up the Stars side.

Hull 66: Noah Lyon 20, Harry Gibson 13, Kacey Bennett 10, Jayden Bennett 9+3, Ellwood Harrison 8, Sophia Temple 6+1.

Sheffield Will Banyard 17+1, Lizzie Rigley 17+1, Laura Watson 16+1, Oliver Banyard 15+2, Matt Parrott 13+3, Nichola Banyard 5.

The Division One match completed the days racing with Jack Lister added to Hull’s division two side while Sheffield had the luxury of five first team additions.  Jack teamed up with Noah Lyon to get Hull off to a great start with a 7-3 in the first heat but Sheffield made their intentions clear with four consecutive maximum heat wins to open a 12 point lead.  Jack and Noah stopped this with a 7-3 in the next heat but the pattern continued with two more maximum heat wins for the Stars to take them into the interval with a 16 point advantage.  The second half saw Sheffield extend their lead with Jack and Noah again in the thick of the action for Hull,  including a heat 13 maximum heat win, and Harry Gibson pushing the opposition hard for little reward.  Jack raced unbeaten for Hull with Noah having probably his best senior outing while Dariusz Pilas was unbeaten from four starts for Sheffield and Kieran Hale was impressive for a strong line up who already look favourites to retain their title.

Hull 76: Jack Lister 21+3, Noah Lyon 21, Harry Gibson 10, Ellwood Harrison 10, Jayden Bennett 8, Kacey Bennett 5, Sophia Temple 1.

Sheffield 104: Kieran Hale 22, Kielan Burton 18+1, Nial Morton 15+4, Dariusz Pilas 13+3, Aiden Owen 11+2, Oliver Banyard 12+1, Lizzie Rigley 7, Matt Parrott 3+1, Laura Watson 2+1, Will Banyard 1.