Hethersett Vs East London
HETHERSETT HAWKS / MYHILL DECORATORS brought the curtain down on their celebratory Gold Jubilee season with a double home victory over East London. It was good to see the Londoners, who have struggled in recent seasons, make the long trip up to Norfolk with some new young recruits in their full squad of eight. Hethersett had leading riders missing but did welcome back Dan Chambers after injury. They gave a full first-team run to Owen Wells and he rose to the occasion to top the scorers. Roger Carter made a welcome return and was unlucky to fall twice challenging opponents.
It was an even start until Lee Smith tucked in behind Wells in heat 5 but any advantage was quickly wiped out as experienced Nicky Gunkel and Dave Hughes out-thought Harley Hamill after an exclusion. A five point lead was restored by a Wells / Josh Herring 7-3 just before the interval and the Hawks went on to win six of the eight second-half races to record a comfortable win.
HETHERSETT 91 EAST LODNON 67
(O.Wells 16 L.Smith 14 J.Herring 13 R.Carter 13 D.Chambers 11 D.Butler 9 H.Hamill 9 L.Hulcoop 6)
The second victory came in the Division Two match and the victory sealed runners-up spot for the Hawks. Both sides had some inexperienced riders and it led to an entertaining match. Wells was again in good form for a maximum and veteran Glyn Morgan was also unbeaten. Star turn was Daniel Longlands with a couple of rousing rides.
Again it was close until half-time but a couple of 7-3 wins and no heat defeats after that saw the Hawks home.
HETHERSETT B 77 EAST LONDON B 53
(O.Wells 16 G.Morgan 15 D.Longlands 12 N.Longlands 9 K.Adams 7 O.Nicholas 7 H.Hamill 4 D.Butler 4 L.Hulcoop 3)