East Newport Cycle Speedway v Newport Cycle Speedway

East Newport Cycle Speedway Club kicked off their 2011 South & South Wales League season at home against local rivals Newport. On a hot Sunday afternoon 17th April the large crowd in attendance were treated to some fine racing in all 3 matches that took place. First up was the division one encounter & what a match this turned out to be with only 3 races to go the home side lead was 2 points 76 - 74. With a uncharacteristic tape exclusion for home rider Aaron Hughes left Man of the match Dan Bock up against the experience Simmons/Davies pairing, with Davies leading Bock made a fantastic inside pass to take the win, the scores now reading with 2 races to go East Newport 85 Newport 84. Captain Neil Power took the chequered flag over the strong Nicky Evans/Lee Tippins pairing. So the scene was set heat 18 and with Newport‘s Mark Carmichael on 1 & the fast starting Jack Harrold on 3 against Ryan Hughes on 2 & Ben Mould on 4 as the tapes went up Mould and team mate Hughes slipped going round the first bend allowing Harrold though into 2nd place behind team mate Carmichael, the away side erupted, as they entered the 2nd bend Mould made up for the slip by making the pass of the day going up the inside of not only his own team mate "Hughes" but Harrold in the process, as young Jack slipped and fell off the result was now in the bag for the East End outfit. This was truly a great derby with plenty of fine passing and credit to both sides for giving the fans of both Clubs' loads of entertainment.

East Newport 90

Neil Power 14, Dan Bock 17

Ben Mould 18, Aaron Herbert 8+1

Aaron Hughes 13+1, Ryan Hughes 6+2

Louis Harvey 9, Corey B Jones 5+1

Newport 89

Colin Simmons 7+1, Mark Carmichael 17+1

Nicky Evans 12+1, Chris Davies 16

Jack Harrold 10+2, Ollie Sidwick 11

Dave Murphy 5+1, Lee Tippins 11+2

Next up was the Combination fixture and once again the racing was evenly matched but it was last year's combination champions "East Newport" who took the points on offer. A Man of the match performance from "Ethan Greenslade" who was backed up well by "Colin Wildy" & "Rob Absalom" that paved the way to a fine victory over their rivals 42 - 35.

East Newport Combination scores

Colin Wildy 8, Rob Absalom 9+1

Matt Davis 10+1, Simon Bendon 4

Ethan Greenslade 8+2, Josh Davis 3

Newport Combination scores

Ryan Evans 8+1, Matt Trenchman 3

Joe Lewis 11, Dean Bonici 9

Wayne Evans 2+1, Kevin Greaves 3

Final action of an all action day of cycle speedway was Conference league for riders under the age of 18.

Newport started their season off in this division with a compressive victory at home to last season's Champions Poole a few weeks ago, so with this in mind the East End Dragons knew victory was a must if they were to stand any chance of being there or there about at the end of the season.

For the Dragons Corey B Jones was in great form and deservedly won the Man of the match showing great calm and determination in what turned out to be a fine victory for the home side 79 - 71, he was backed up very well by all his team mates namely Dan Bock (captain) Josh Davis, Ethan Greenslade, Aaron Hughes, Louis Harvey. Special mention to reserve Adam Bennett who stepped in at the last minute, even though he didn't get to have a ride he was their helping & shouting for his team mates which just shows it's a team effort.

East Newport Dragons scores

Dan Bock 17, Josh Davis 12

Ethan Greenslade 8, Aaron Hughes 16+2

Corey B Jones 14+2, Louis Harvey 12

Adam Bennett dnr.

Newport scores

Lee Tippins 16+1, Matt Trenchman 6

Ollie Sidwick 15+1, Ryan Evans 9

Joe Lewis 14+1, Jacob Soper 8

Dean Bonici 3

A spokesman from the East Newport Club commented what a fine advert for Cycle speedway we witnessed today here in Wales and great credit must go to both Clubs' for producing some fine riders which will bode well for the future of Cycle Speedway here in Wales. Mr Richard Hughes officiated what could have been a difficult division 1 match very well, and considering he was from the home Club did either Club no favours at all. In fact in heat 16 he excluded his own son for moving at the start.