Last week’s racing…
HETHERSETT HAWKS / MYHILL DECORATORS have had a busy week with back-to-back local derby matches with Norwich Stars and eight riders racing in London on Saturday.
The rearranged home fixture with Norwich in Division 1 was held on a pleasant Wednesday evening – stark contrast to the original date in March which was postponed due to snow – and a big crowd had some reminiscing about when midweek League racing was the rule rather than the exception. A good contest ensued with Hethersett starting well only for Norwich’s experience pegging them back and taking a six-point lead into the interval. The Hawks started well again but were relying heavily on their three heat-leaders Harley Hamill, Liam Webster and Leigh Cossey while Norwich pulled a rabbit out of the hat with the return of former Norfolk Junior champion Danny Margitson. Unfortunately for Cossey his fall when in front of heat 13 and the resultant 7-2 win for Norwich in the rerun halted the team’s charge and they never recovered. Webster and Cossey did gain a 7-3 in the final race to make the score a true reflection of a close match deservedly won by Norwich.
HETHERSETT 87 NORWICH 91
(L.Webster 19 H.Hamill 18 L.Cossey 14 O.Wells 10 G.Morgan 10 D.Adams 9 P.Delaiche 4 C.Lyth 2 K.Adams 1)
The return match was on a sunny Sunday afternoon at Eaton Park and it was role reversal with Norwich not at full strength and Hethersett introducing their own comeback king in popular Olly Buxton. Their top three were again in form but had good teamwork to back them this time and soon built up a 10-point lead which they set about defending till the end. Owen Wells was particularly impressive in his five rides. So honours even but the winner was Norfolk cycle-speedway which was proved to be alive and well.
NORWICH 81 HETHERSETT 96
(L.Webster 18 H.Hamill 16 L.Cossey 14 O.Wells 13 D.Adams 10 O.Buxton 10 D.Butler 9 G.Morgan 5 P.Delaiche 1)
The Division 2 match at Eaton Park was also a close match and was all square with two races to go. Hethersett brought in experienced substitute Liam Webster to team up with David Adams for a 7-3 win and promising youngsters Paul Delaiche and Charlie Lyth repeated the dose in the final race to give Hethersett a flattering 8-point win. Owen Wells dropped just one point for the Hawks.The rearranged return match is on Wednesday 20th (7.30)
NORWICH B 76 HETHERSETT B 84
(P.Delaiche 20 O.Wells 18 D.Afams 16 C.Lyth 15 N.Longlands 5 K.Adams 4 G.Morgan 3 L.Webster 3)
In East London eight Hawks contested the South-East & Eastern Grand Prix round and best performance came from Owen Wells (2nd in Under-18s) and he will be in action this Saturday in the British Elite Junior GP at Ipswich.