Monday 24 March 2008

Around the Premier League Tracks 2008
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Sunday, 23 March
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Four matches were raced today. At Newport the Wasps faced Somerset while at Newcastle the Diamonds took on Redcar both in the Premier Trophy. The other two matches were at Glasgow where the Tigers raced against Edinburgh in the second leg of the Spring Trophy and at Reading where the Racers took on the Isle of Wight in the second leg of the Chalfont Coaches Trophy.


Premier League: Newport 43, Somerset 50


Newport, racing their first home match of the season, introduced newcomers Paul Clews, Marek Mroz and Jerran hart to the side while welcoming the return of Craig Watson. Somerset were at full strength.

The Wasps were never in the hunt in this match and were never likely to be with only five race winners. After losing a 1-5 in the opening heat to Jason Doyle and Simon Walker it was an uphill struggle to reach respectability. Two more 2-4s had them already eight points down although Sebastian Truminski raised their hopes by producing the first Newport race winner in heat 4 which produced a 4-2. The score after four heats stood at 9-15.

Further 2-4 heat advantages to the Rebels in heats 5, 7 and 8 put Somerset out of sight at 18-30 with Jason Doyle and Emil Kramer both unbeaten after eight races.

You would have thought that the Wasps might have used their TR in a heat where neither Doyle not Kramer were out for Somerset, for example in heat 9 when Atkin and Mroz scored a 5-1 over Katt and Werner to pull four points back and cut the deficit to eight but you would have been wrong. Kramer won again in heat 10 which produced another 2-4 after Craig Watson had retired leaving the home side ten points behind again. Truminski took the TR in heat 11 but it was Jason Doyle who continued his winning run although Truminski and Simmons finished second and third for a Newport 5-3 cutting the lead to eight points again. Another Somerset 1-5 in heat 12 from Kramer and Katt finished the Wasps off with the score now at 31-43.

Doyle’s colours were finally lowered in heat 13 when Craig Watson beat him. Truminski’s third place gave the home side a 4-2 then Watson came into heat 14 as a Tactical Substitute from 15 metres back in place of Nick Simmons but it was Tony Atkin who won the race for the Wasps. Stephan Katt took second with Watson third after Jordan Frampton had fallen causing the race to be awarded. This gave Newport a 5-2 while the last race, also won by Watson, resulted in Emil Kramer dropping his only point of the meeting in a shared race.

Scorers: For Newport – Craig Watson 11 (6) (with 2 point TS), Sebastian Truminski 10 (5) (with 4 point TR), Tony Atkin 10 (4), Paul Clews 5 (4), Nick Simmons 4 (4), Marek Mroz 2+1 (4), Jerran Hart 1 (3).

For Somerset– Emil Kramer 14 (5), Jason Doyle 12+1 (5), Stephan Katt 10+1 (5), Simon Walker 4+1 (4), Jordan Frampton 4+1 (4), Brent Werner 3+1 (4), Henning Loof 3 (3).



Premier Trophy: Newcastle 52, Redcar 38


Both teams were at full strength for this local derby match. Newcastle opened up an early lead in this match and Redcar were never able to get within touching distance although there were only six points in it after eleven heats. The Bears main problem was that neither reserve was able to beat an opponent so they were effectively a five man side.

Redcar led 2-4 after Gary Havelock won the rerun of the opening race from Christian Henry but Newcastle responded with a 5-1 in the reserves race despite Sean Stoddart having to start 15 metres back after touching the tapes. This turned the score around with the Diamonds now leading by two points instead. James Grieves, returning to his former stamping ground, won heat 3 for a shared race but Newcastle took a 4-2 in heat 4 when Chris Kerr could only split the Stancl/Stoddart pairing. This took the score to 14-10.

Gary Havelock touched the tapes in heat 5 and was replaced by Arlo Bugeja. Jason King won the race while Ty Proctor took an excellent second place ahead of Josef Franc. This gave the home side another 4-2 while heat 6, won by Chris Kerr who passed Christian Henry, was shared. James Grieves won heat 7 from George Stancl and this time was backed by Josh Auty for a Bears’ 2-4 cutting the difference to four points then Ty Proctor won heat 8 for a 3-3 taking the score to 26-22.

Newcastle increased their lead to six points again with a 4-2 from Franc and King in heat 9 while Christian Henry ended James Grieves’ hopes of a maximum by winning heat 10. Josh Auty took third so the race was shared as was heat 11 won by Stancl from Havelock and Proctor. The Diamonds extended their lead to eight points with another 4-2 in heat 12. James Franc beat James Grieves with Stoddart third taking the score to 40-32.

Christian Henry broke the tapes in heat 13 so had to go from 15 metres back. Stancl won from Kerr and Havelock so the heat was shared. Still eight points down Redcar gave Chris Kerr a tactical substitute ride, replacing Daniel Giffard, from 25 metres back in heat 14. This was not a success as Jason King and Sean Stoddart took a 5-1 to clinch the points for the home side. A 4-2 went to the Diamonds in the last race when Stancl beat Grieves with Henry third.

Scorers: For Newcastle – George Stancl 14 (5), Sean Stoddart 9+1 (6), Josef Franc 9 (4), Jason King 8+1 (4), Christian Henry 8 (5), Ben Powell 2+2 (3), Jaimie Robertson 2+1 (3).

For Redcar – James Grieves 12 (5), Chris Kerr 10 (6), Ty Proctor 7+1 (4), Gary Havelock 6+1 (4), Josh Auty 2+1 (4), Daniel Giffard 1 (4), Arlo Bugeja 0 (4).



Spring Trophy (second leg): Glasgow 41, Edinburgh 49 Edinburgh won the trophy on aggregate by100-79


Glasgow were without Ross Brady and again used Rider Replacement at number 2. Edinburgh were at full strength.

Edinburgh regained the Spring Trophy after completing the double over Glasgow to win on aggregate by 21 points. Although the Monarchs’ early lead was wiped out mid-match they pulled away again in the latter stages to win comfortably.

There was a shock in the opening race. Mitchell Davey (R/R) shot round the first two bends to enter the home straight with Ryan Fisher. Fisher pulled away leaving Davey and Derek Sneddon to contest second place as Shane Parker got caught in the traffic at the back. Sneddon passed Davey down the back straight of the second lap as did Parker on the second bend of the third lap but the Glasgow captain could make no impact on Sneddon who followed Fisher home for a 1-5. Aaron Summers headed the field down the back straight in the reserves race but was passed round the outside of bends 3 and 4 by Josh Grajczonek who went on to win the heat. Andrew Tully was third so the race was shared. Thomas Jonasson won his first race for Edinburgh when he hit the front and pulled away in heat 4. Trent Leverington was content to remain behind with Mitchell Davey covering the gaps to prevent William Lawson from passing either of them. This produced another 3-3 but Edinburgh scored another 1-5 in heat 4. Matthew Wethers gated well to lead Robert Ksiezak. Andrew Tully gave chase and passed Ksiezak on the second bend, second lap to follow his partner home for the maximum taking the score to 8-16. It was interesting to note that both Edinburgh 1-5 successes had been off the inside gates.

In heat 5, Derek Sneddon fell on the first bend and stayed down until the referee stopped the race much to the disgust of the Glasgow fans and referee alike. He was excluded from the rerun won with ease by Ryan Fisher after a brilliant opening two bends which took him round the outside of Mitchell Davey then up the inside of Trent Leverington on the second bend (if you’ll pardon the expression!) . This race was shared but Glasgow pulled two points back in heat 6 when Robert Ksiezak made a fast start with Matthew Wethers in pursuit. Shane Parker got stuck behind this pair and with Wethers challenging Ksiezak all race Parker was unable to improve his position and finished third. The 4-2 cut the lead to six points and Glasgow now had the benefit of the inside gates for the next four heats. They certainly took full advantage in heats 7 and 8 with 5-1s in both. Ksiezak (R/R) and Grajczonek were quickly away from Thomas Jonasson who briefly hampered William Lawson. Grajczonek rode an excellent race to follow Ksiezak home and he was out again in the next race for a similar result. This time it was Trent Leverington (R/R) who led from the start while Josh Grajczonek slotted in behind him. Andrew Tully chased him all race long but couldn’t pass so the maximum not only wiped out the Monarchs lead but put the Tigers two points in front at 25-23. At this stage Josh Grajczonek was still on a paid maximum after three rides.

Trent Leverington won again in heat 9 but there was no joy for Mitchell Davey who trailed home behind Matthew Wethers and Aaron Summers for a shared race. William Lawson made the start in heat 10 to lead Shane Parker home while Josh Grajczonek passed Thomas Jonasson for third and a shared race. Edinburgh were now back on the inside gates and made them work in heat 11 when Derek Sneddon and Ryan Fisher left Robert Ksiezak behind for a 1-5 reversing the two point advantage by putting the Monarchs two ahead. A Trent Leverington win in heat 12 from Jonasson, Tully and Grajczonek resulted in a shared heat which took the score to 35-37.

Another excellent first two bends by Ryan Fisher took him past Robert Ksiezak in heat 13 while Matthew Wethers led Shane Parker out of the second bend for an Edinburgh 2-4 putting them four points ahead. Glasgow were now in the same position as they had been last week in the match against Berwick but this time there was no magic 5-1 from the two young Australians in heat 14. William Lawson stormed to a tapes-to-flag victory and would have been followed home by Andrew Tully had he not shed a chain on the last bend of the third lap. This resulted in a 3-3 which meant a last heat decider. The match was over when Edinburgh won the toss and took the favourable inside gates. Ryan Fisher completed an impeccable paid maximum while Matthew Wethers followed him home for a 1-5 and an eight point victory. Trent Leverington finished third while Shane Parker, off the graveyard gate 4 for the second time in the match, retired on the last lap while at the back. Indeed gate 4, despite providing two winners (Ksiezak and Fisher), produced only 14 points from 15 heats.

Scorers: For Glasgow – Trent Leverington 13+1 (6), Josh Grajczonek 10+3 (6), Robert Ksiezak 10 (5), Mitchell Davey 4+2 (5), Shane Parker 4 (5), Lee Dicken 0 (3).

For Edinburgh – Ryan Fisher 14+1 (5) (paid maximum), Matthew Wethers 10+1 (5), William Lawson 7 (4), Andrew Tully 5+3 (5), Derek Sneddon 5+1 (4), Thomas Jonasson 5 (4), Aaron Summers 3+1 (3).



Chalfont Coaches Trophy (second leg): Reading 56, Isle of Wight 36 Reading won the Trophy on aggregate by 103-84.


Reading had Sam Martin (Sheffield) guesting again at number 7 in place of the injured Danny Warwick. The Isle of Wight were at full strength.

After Reading had reduced the Islanders’ 14 point lead in the first leg to a mere one point they were expected to win the Trophy comfortably. So it transpired. With Mark Lemon and Ulrich Ostergaard going through the card unbeaten and Tom P Madsen dropping only one point to the Islanders’ sole race winner, Jason Bunyan, it was one way traffic. The visitors were left to scrap for the minor places and produced 11 second places to prevent an even heavier defeat.

Cory Gathercole looked as if he might get the Islanders off to a winning start but he fell while leading leaving the Racers to take a 4-2. This was the first of four 4-2 race results which put Reading eight points ahead after four races at 16-8.

The visitors held on well over the next four heats. Jason Bunyan and Cory Gathercole followed Ulrich Ostergaard home after Chris Mills had fallen in heat 5 then a Lemon/Suchanek 4-2 put the Racers ten points ahead so the Isle of Wight gave Krzysztof Stojanowski a tactical ride in heat 7. He finished second to Mark Lemon but Paul Fry’s third place gave the visitors a 3-5 advantage cutting the deficit to eight points again. Suchanek won heat 8 for a share of the points so the score stood at 29-21.

Ostergaard and Mills took a 5-1 in heat 9 to stretch the lead to 12 points and it stayed that way after a Lemon win produced a shared heat 10. Then came the Islanders sole success of the night. Jason Bunyan beat Tom P Madsen in heat 11 while Cory Gathercole took third for a 2-4 cutting the gap to 10 points. Ulrich Ostergaard won again in heat 12 for a shared race so the score moved on to 42-32.

It was curtains after that for the visitors as they conceded two 5-1s and a 4-2 over the last three heats to stretch the winning margin to 20 points.

Scorers: For Reading – Mark Lemon 15 (5) (maximum), Ulrich Ostergaard 14+1 (5) (paid maximum), Tom P Madsen 10+1 (4), Jaimie Smith 6 (4), Tomas Suchanek 5 (4), Chris Mills 4+1 (1), Sam Martin 2 (4).

For the Isle of Wight – Krzysztof Stojanowski 11 (5) (with 4 point TR), Jason Bunyan 8 (5), Glen Phillips 5 (4), Cory Gathercole 4+1 (4), Paul Fry 4+1 (4), James Holder 3+1 (4), Andrew Bargh 1+1 (4).

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