Report: Cycle Speedway British Teams Finals

13th Sept 2009, East Newport Cycle Speedway Club

Report and Images: Andy Whitehouse

Hammers claim narrow victory in a thriller at East Newport

Horspath Hammers were crowned British Team champions on Sunday 13th Sept in an adrenaline-fueled clash against Wednesfield Aces at East Newport's track.

This final was always going to be a tough call to make and with both teams fighting for a definitive lead emotions were running high.Only two points separated the teams during the first half until heat nine which saw defending champions Wednesfields Sam Smith excluded and both teams on level scores of 43 points going into the break.

Above: The mighty Lee Aris powers out of a turn

The first heat after the interval saw both sides earning five points and it looked like the second half would continue where the first nine heats left off,but fortunes were about to change and heat eleven saw a Scott Doherty,Lee Aris 7-3 efeat over Horspath's Mark Carmichael and Veteren Champion Steve Harris giving the Aces a four point advantage,the next two heats saw the points evenly distributed.Heat fourteen looked like the championship decider with strong rides from both Mark Griffiths and Lee Aris giving the 2008 champions another 7-3 and a eight point advantage over their rivels.But how things can change and heat fifteen saw both Wednesfield riders excluded,Sam Smith for stopping the race after a fall and Lee Aris was a start gate infrignment allowing Horspaths Wayne Hutt and Steve Harris to ride a leisurly lap to earn an easy seven points.The atmosphere remained tense for the remainder of the match and with the scores tied on 86 points at the end of heat 18 the title would have to be decided with a three heat run off.

Above: No room up the inside for Docherty

Heat nineteen saw another win for Wednesfield's Mark Griffiths and it looked like the Aces were on course to retain their 2008 title but the next heat saw another brilliant ride by Horspaths Welsh wonder mark Carmichael and a second place from team mate steve Harris turned the tables and gave Horspath a two point advantage going into heat twenty one and all to ride for.Horspath didn't dissapoint their fans and a win from Mark Boaler ensured The Bin and the British team title went back up the M4 to Horspath.

Above: Wednesfield's Chris Jewkes thoughtfully dismounts right infront of our lensman Andy Whitehouse, also skilfully incorporating the club banner in the background.

Result

HORSPATH 102: Dave Carmichael 20, Mark Carmichael 19, Mark Boaler 17, Steve Harris 15, Mike Morgans 10, Danny Harper 9, Wayne Hutt 8, Rob Hunt 2

WEDNESFIELD 100: Mark Griffiths 20, Chris Jewkes 18, Lee Aris 16, Scott Doughety 14, Terry Norman 13, Roger Cox 10, Sam Smith 8, Dayle Peace 1

More Images

Going...

Going...

Gone... a Horspath rider dismounts

Above: Aris dives for the wide open door in the inside - the look on the Horspath rider's face says it all

Another Horspath rider decks it while Wednesfield's Scott Docherty indulges in a spot of oversteer

Above: Victors Horspath indulge in a spot of team high-fiving

Above: Rivals and friends - sporting handshakes all round after a real cliffhanger.

For loads more images, check out our Gallery links at the top of the page. Click here for images from the Semi Finals