Sheffield Speedway Match Reports 2007

Ben Wilson and Ricky renewed their 2006 pairing and led comfortably for 3¾ laps until Ricky inexplicably fell on the last corner with the Stoke pair having to take avoiding action. James Cockle gated first in heat 2 and Cooperman's blast around the outside took him into the lead down the back straight. David Speight kept the pressure on but Barrie Evans trundled around disinterestedly at the back. André and Birko led heat 3 with Garry Stead in close attendance, but all Birko had to do was defend the inside line. Glenn Cunningham trapped ahead in heat 4 and neither Joel nor Cooperman could get close. André and Birko dominated heat 5. Neil Machin stopped for a chat at this juncture. I bemoaned the poor racing thus far and he said I could quote his reply; "Sometimes you have to take the rough with the smooth". Sheffield Window Centre Tigers 12 points ahead.

Ricky into the lead in heat 6 with Ben on his back wheel. Glenn Cunningham provided the first pass with a superb outside manoeuvre on the pits turn on the second lap. Garry Stead made the gate to lead heat 7 from hard chasing Joel. James Cockle wasted little time in cruising past Paul Pickering at the end of the first lap after which Paul pulled off the track. (A sad way to end your career?) Cooperman trapped to lead heat 8 until Ben Wilson swooped around the field and passed him on the second bend. Ben Barker couldn't even match David Speight. Glenn is nominated as a tactical in heat 9, obviously John Adams was only expecting four points. André makes his customary lightening start to lead with Glenn second ahead of Birko who keeps the pressure on and closes lap after lap. On the last lap he squeezes past Glenn on the second turn and holds his line on the last turn to deny Glenn any extra points. Rapturous applause from the crowd for the best race of the evening. Ben and Ricky take another 5-1 in heat 10 with Ricky defending the white line ahead of Garry Stead and Barrie Evans in for Paul Pickering. Sheffield 26 points ahead.

Joel picked up his first win as a heat leader ahead of Rusty Harrison in heat 11. James Cockle couldn't catch Rusty and came under pressure from Ben Barker in the closing stages. André leads the way in heat 12 from Garry Stead and Cooperman. With a 28 point lead you could have forgiven Paul for settling for the 4-2, but I'm pleased to say that Paul has got his appetite for racing back and he closed in remorselessly and snatched second place with a lovely wide pass off the very last turn. Another great reception from the crowd! Ricky trapped to lead heat 13 from Glenn and Rusty with Joel trying everything he could but just unable to find his way past. I'm not sure why but Paul Pickering has withdrawn from the meeting and his place in heat 14 was taken by Barrie Evans. Birko traps and is gone. James Cockle is passed by Barrie Evans at the end of the first lap but responds to recover second place on the second bend. The two of them then have a great race trading places on virtually every bend for the next two laps before James pulls clear on the last lap. André and Ricky lead heat 15 with Glenn Cunningham climbing all over Ricky but unable to gain the advantage.

Sheffield have accumulated a 40 point advantage to take to the return leg so the bonus point should be a forgone conclusion. Latest news is that Paul Pickering has been dropped and that Sheffield asset Lee Complin will make his debut for the Potters against us at Loomer Road on Saturday. Other recent signings include Carl Stonehewer for Workington to replace the injured Kenneth Hansen (which also means Jamie Robertson loses his team place), and Robbie Kessler to Redcar to cover for the injured Mathieu Tresarrieu.

Tommy Hedden reprised last weeks top scoring performance making his Owlerton record = seven starts, seven wins! He passed David Speight at the start of the last lap to win heat 1. The USA were leading heat 2 comfortably when Scott Whittington fell on the third bend with Andrew Blackburn laying down very quickly. Kenny Ingalls won the restart but Dale Facchini stopped amidst a shower of sparks on the first lap. Andrew fell again on the third turn, second lap, but quickly jumped back on. Kenny took an easy win in heat 3 but the race of the night was between David Speight and Dale Facchini for second place in heat 4. After riding elbow to elbow for four laps with the advantage changing on every bend it was the Brit who got the verdict. The visitors took a maximum win from heat 6 to wrap up the win, but the aggregate of the two matches sees the Brits shading it by one point!

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