Sheffield Speedway Match Reports 2004

Key: * indicates a Tactical ride for double points and ! a Golden Double Tactical Substitute from a 15m handicap
Sheffield 'PIRTEK' Tigers v Hull 'BHK' Vikings Premier Trophy 3rd June
Rider010203040506070809101112131415Tot+Bp
André Compton © 9.31 3 3 2 2' 3 13+1
James Birkinshaw 5.50 1 r 2 1' 4+1
Ricky Ashworth 8.06 1 3 3 3 10
Andy Moore 8.00 3 1 2' 3 0 9+1
Craig Watson (g) 9.69 3 2 3 3 11
Richard Hall 5.19 2 1' r 2' 5+2
Ben Wilson 4.14 1' 1 1' 0 3+2
Reg Wilson 4 3 4 4 4 3 3 3 5 3 3 3 5 5 3
Sheffield 'PIRTEK' Tigers (37) 4 7 11 15 19 22 25 28 33 36 39 42 47 52 55 92
Hull 'BHK' Vikings (57) 2 5 7 9 11 16 19 22 23 29 32 35 36 37 40 97
Paul Hodder 2 3 2 2 2 5 3 3 1 6 3 3 1 1 3
Paul Thorp © 7.78 2 2 1' tx 5+1
Ross Brady7.33 r 0 3 2 5
Magnus Karlsson 7.69 2 3 6* 2 2 15
Mark Thompson (g) 3.00 0 f - 0 0
Garry Stead8.49 2 4* 1 1 1' 9+1
Joel Parsons3.00 3 1' 0 0 1' 0 5+2
Emiliano Sanchez 5.42 0 0 ef 1 1
Track record = 60.0
Mark Loram 25 Sept 2003
010203040506 070809101112131415
61.664.662.162.161.5 61.061.662.161.660.3 61.561.161.562.161.5

Craig Watson earns the gratitude of S6 with a resounding 11 point return as the Tigers pull together to repulse the Vikings. Oddly it is ex-Tiger Garry Stead who earns the biggest boos after he remonstrates with Andy Moore after being passed in heat 6 and had to be restrained by the track staff. Thorpy predictably demolished the tapes in the restarted heat 13 to tumultuous applause from the terraces.

Thorpy was beaten by André, Ricky and Craig Watson in his three completed rides although it took him more than three laps to pass Richard Hall in heat 11. Ross Brady started with a retirement and a last place before flying from the tapes to win heat 8. Magnus Karlsson impressed and looks likely to become more of a threat with each visit to S6. Mark Thompson was out of his league and was a poor replacement for Emil Kramer.

Garry Stead only finished ahead of Ben Wilson and James Birkinshaw (and made a spectacle of himself after being passed by Andy Moore in heat 9) before spending three laps closing in on Andy and passing him on the second bend on the last lap of heat 15. Joel Parsons trapped and rode an impressive line to stay ahead of Richard Hall in heat 2 but the only other rider he beat was Ben Wilson. Emiliano Sanchez was not at the races.

André dropped his only point to the flying Magnus Karlsson in heat 10 and seems to be revelling in the extra responsibility. James battled past Joel in heat 6 only to fall on the second turn and looked uneasy in the heavy conditions following rain earlier in the day. Ricky's new engine (thankyou Ian Hunter) looked strong while Andy Moore was made to work for his points in the early stages.

Craig Watson certainly rides well when he is on our side of the pits and this was no exception as he dropped his only point to Magnus. Richard Hall rode well without setting the track alight, and was gutted to be passed by Thorpy when his bike slowed on the last lap of heat 11. Ben Wilson only beat Sanchez and struggled in the heavy conditions. Ben seems to be getting a bit of stick on various forums but I think the next couple of years will see him bulk up a little and some extra stature and strength will make the world of difference to him, especially when the going is heavy.

Well done to the Vikings for taking the bonus, although it takes more than one of your heat-leaders to win races if you want to be really successful.

Sheffield v. Hull 'Angels' Junior challenge
Rider123456Tot+Bp
1. N. Mallett 1 1' 2' 0 4+2
2. Michael Mitchell r/r

-

- - (6+1)
3. David Speight

f 2 2 1' 5+1
4. Benji Compton 3 3 3 2 11

4

3 3 5 2 3
Sheffield

4

7 10 15 17 20
Hull 'Angels'

2

5 8 9 13 16

2

3 3 1 4 3
1. Danny Norton

2

1 3 3 9
2. Phil Downes

0

0 0 0
3. David Baker

1' 0 - 1+1
4. Paul Burnett

2 3 1 6

64.5

awd66.665.065.3 65.0

Grant Hayes was programmed at No.1 for the home side but his place was taken by N. Hallett, while Michael Mitchell was a non starter. Benji Compton (Andre's kid brother) stepped up to top score dropping his only point to Danny Norton in the last heat.

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