Sunday 16th March NORTHUMBRIA VIKINGS v EDINBURGH FALCONS @ Cramlington Match Reports: Northern League Division 1 NORTHUMBRIA 88 EDINBURGH 90 An agonising last heat loss, will not spoil the many positives to have come from this amazing start to the season and a new era of racing at Cramlington, the Vikings team racing so hard throughout and proving that they can live with the best. Ultra effort, total commitment, superb entertainment for a decent sized crowd, a win all round then for cycle speedway at its best. Quite simply, the opening day on the brand new track could not have had a better meeting. Our auld enemy from the north of the border and ourselves engaged in a titanic, ultra-competitive and always close tussle, raced in a superb spirit throughout by both sets of riders. It may be a long long time indeed until this brand new track sees a better meeting in fact ? since heat 1, Northumbria could not quite hold out. The final heat saw the Falcons needing an unlikely 7-3, but that is just what they got. Dougie Morgan was the hero for the Scots, outgating and outbattling Dan Redshaw from the start, then sailing off in front as Mikey Hewitson and Jason Keith had a battle royale behind. At one point it looked like Jason had done it, riding Mikey to the extremities of the track, but the Scottish #1 blasted back round the outside going into the first corner of lap 3 and was to hold on, with Jason a spent force now behind and Dougie all ready to take the massive cheers from the visiting pits. It had all started so well for the Northumbrians, Mark Mulvey and Micheal Parr taking a max in the opener with Jake Slight looking off the pace, though Michael was lucky to be in a re-run of this heat, having got his big crash in early this time. A good couple of shared heats followed with Jack Watson looking very fast and then Gavin Parr shielding new regular partner Dan Redshaw ahead of Mikey Hewitson in heat 3. Michael Parr shrugged off the pain of his earlier purler to win heat 4 and with Scott Latimer able to take advantage of the ailing Jake Slight, the Vikings had built up a 6 point lead that they were to maintain until the half time break. Heat 10 straight after we got underway again was always looking a weak one, the Falcons with a max to pull back within 2 points. The narrow lead was maintained thanks to a brilliant pass by Jack Watson on Mikey Hewitson in the next race, what a rider this young man will be and already is. Better was to follow in heat 13 as Gavin cleverly brought Dan Redshaw round the pack to take a 7-3 and regain the Vikings former lead at 6 again, Dans best ride ever in the first team showing his undoubted speed when he is in the clear. A bad fall however for Jack Watson in heat 14 put him out of the meeting and proved a decisive blow, the Falcons taking a 7-2 in the re-run. Gavin Parr closed out his meeting with a straightforward win, but partner Mark Mulveys fall in heat 16 cost the Vikings some much needed points and made it still very much squeeky bum time with two to go. The impressive Simon Watson who was making his competitive debut in cycle speedway (apart for a single euro vets meeting) teamed up with Michael Parr to share the penultimate heat, meaning all Jason Keith had to do was avoid total defeat in the finale and the Vikings would take something from the meeting. Unfortunatley it just wasnt to be however, lady luck leaving us just when we needed her most, but no-one on the team can be criticised at all. The Falcons perhaps got out of jail, winning despite leading at only one point in the match, the most crucial time as it happens, but they will be very relieved to have escaped this one. The Falcons team manager said he was so glad they managed to get the 2 points here, knowing that everyone else would now have to come and try and do the same. We now can be sure he is correct in saying that several others will not. If the same effort and commitment is put in throughout the season, especially with more riders to come in like Dan Wharrier and John Wilson, continued improvement from the younger group and a fantastic team and club spirit always shown, this kind of day can be a regular day at Cramlington, maybe next time and surely many more times in the future, it will end with a win for the Vikings. Scorers: NORTHUMBRIA: Gavin Parr 17+2, Michael Parr 14+3, Mark Mulvey 12+2, Jason Keith 12+2, Dan Redshaw 11, Simon Watson 10+1, Jack Watson 7, Scott Latimer 5 EDINBURGH: Neil McPherson 17, Craig Newsome 16+2, Lee Lawrence 15+1, Kamil Greszla 11+1, Neil Swanson 10, Mikey Hewitson 9+2, Jake Slight 7+1, Douglas Morgan 5 Northern League Division 2 NORTHUMBRIA 59 EDINBURGH 86 Edinburgh have already made no secret of the fact that they are targeting a win of the Division 2 title this year, their super B squad mostly all in attendance and always likely to march back off north with the win. Meanwhile, with Terry and Neil declining team spots to concentrate on other match day duties (both also some way short of match fitness), it was the turn of several of the Vikings other squad members to stake their claim for regular Div 2 outings in 2014. Unsuprisingly the Falcons soon pulled away, Neil Swanson unbeaten, Dougie Morgan dropping just a single, while young Euan Kennedy had a fine meeting and looks to be the next Falcons star to come off their conveyor belt of talent. With Mark Lee and Marcin Czarkowski to come into this squad, they must indeed be favourites to achieve their aim at this level. At the other end of the scale poor Johnny Murphy had a nightmare of falls to contend with on a rare outing for the super veteran. For Northumbria Fred Mitchell was consistant to top score, overcoming a poor first ride where he ran out of gas. Scott Latimer started well before getting himself frustrated after a couple of falls, coming off worst in a shoulder barge with big Callum Slight (as indeed most do). Jim Graham and Andy Knowles used their knowhow to get themselves into good positions several times, but didnt quite have the legs to stay there, while Dan Redshaw also joined the fray for a trio of steady second places. Keith Oldham and Norman Carson were somewhat off the pace, the big long straights of the new look circuit, doing the old guard no favours at all. It was good to get everyone out on track, but with several unable to travel regularly, future places will depend on a decent commitment to Gavins training sessions. That said all club members will always be kept active with a varied programme of racing planned all through the season, including club meetings and the later three rivers league in which we will again meet these super Falcons. Scorers: NORTHUMBRIA: Fred Mitchell 10, Scott Latimer 9+2, Jim Graham 9, Dan Redshaw 9, Simon Watson 8, Andy Knowles 6+2, Keith Oldham 4, Norman Carson 4 EDINBURGH: Neil Swanson 19+1, Douglas Morgan 17+2, Euan Kennedy 15+1, Gavin Kennedy 12, Callum Slight 12, Calum Cairney 7+1, Kieran Swanson 3, John Murphy 1 Northern League Division 3 NORTHUMBRIA 28 EDINBURGH 42 Considering the efforts of the coaches and club to attract youngsters, it was a slightly dissapointing turn out of U-13s today with only 3 young Vikings on track. Hopefully in future meetings the likes of Issac Ferry, Mitchell Gray, Liam Smith and many others will join this squad. Those that did come along were brilliant however and warmed us all with their efforts as they hung around patiently on a cold day, then riding with smiles on their faces and just as much guile as the first teamers throughout. All our squad were U-10, while the Falcons had 3 if not 13 year old, then very nearly 13 year olds, the difference in size power and experience always showing. Undeterred Pete Watson rode his heart out in every race and he will not be beaten by many his own age once he meets them later in the season. Lee Redshaw was enthusiastic looking like another to follow in the dynasty started by grandpa Jim if he sticks at it, though again he needs opposition more in keeping with his age. Meanwhile Lewis Petre at just 7 became the youngest rider to ever represent the club, he getting a considerable head start in a sport he is sure to be a champion in one day soon if his determination is anything to go by, looking pretty fast too and never too far behind in any race. It was great to finally get properly started at this level, with these many U-13 meetings to come, set to be even more enjoyable once we have a full crop of future superstars on track and with the British U-10s at Hull later this year, one of the best things the club can achieve this year, is to have a team entered with these three who rode today set to be at the fore. scorers: NORTHUMBRIA: Pete Watson 12, Lewis Petre 8, Lee Redshaw 8 EDINBURGH: Calum Cairney 16, Kieran Swanson 16, Sean Hewitson
Posted on: Mon, 17 Mar 2014 23:05:51 +0000
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