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Post by speedyguy on Mar 24, 2014 15:42:18 GMT
Match Previews
Having well and truly ignited their new season with a last heat victory at Peterborough last Tuesday, the Silver Ski Rockets will be determined to continue their impressive start when they travel to Ipswich for another League Cup fixture this Thursday and then host the Panthers in their home opener in the East of England Cup two nights later (Saturday, March 29th @ 7pm).
The Rockets will field the same line-up for both matches as that which won at the East of England Showground last week. Rider-Replacement will remain in operation for Jason Bunyan, who is in New Zealand preparing for his Wildcard spot in the Auckland Grand Prix.
Team manager John Sampford recognises the clear benefit of their Showground victory for their new challenges both at Foxall Heath and at home on Saturday. Speaking, firstly, about Thursday’s encounter, he feels that “We’re going to carry a lot of initial momentum into Ipswich on Thursday. It really was a wonderful result, and a night to remember. We’ve not managed too many victories at Peterborough over the years, which made it even sweeter. Everyone gave everything, and I couldn’t have asked for any more.
“We’ll be going to Ipswich with the aim of emulating what we did at the Showground. Mathieu Tresarrieu will be going back to a former stamping ground, and Jason Garrity will hopefully have got to the bottom of the bike problems he suffered last week.
“Ipswich have a pretty settled side for this year, and look a very good and well balanced one too, with Richie Worrall and Gino Manzares coming in.
“It will be an interesting evening, and I don’t think anyone can predict the outcome. “That’s the magic of it.”
Sampford is also anticipating an “interesting evening” when the Rockets host the Panthers on Saturday. Like themselves, Peterborough will field an unchanged side from last Tuesday’s first encounter between the clubs, and Sampford expects just as tough a test this time around. “No doubt the Panthers will be smarting from last Tuesday, and they have already rebounded by winning an inter-league challenge match at Elite League Leicester on Saturday. They have got a very strong top four in Ryan Fisher, Ales Dryml, Ulrich Ostergaard and Lasse Bjerre, and their reserves have also been picking up points in their first two fixtures.
“So we cannot be remotely complacent, despite our victory at their place. Those statistics are in the past now and we have to deliver the goods again on the track.
“I fully expect it to be close and tense, and the local derby atmosphere should add an extra factor.”
Rye House team for both matches (alphabetical order): Luke Bowen, Steve Boxall, Jason Bunyan R/R, Jason Garrity, Edward Kennett, Simon Lambert, Mathieu Tresarrieu
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Post by speedyguy on Mar 28, 2014 9:27:11 GMT
Witches Reserve Judgment
Ipswich 50 Rye House 40
(League Cup; Thursday, March 27th 2014)
A difficult start, coupled with a powerful display from the Witches’ reserve pairing, proved to be the Silver Ski Rockets’ undoing at Ipswich on Thursday night. Rye did, however, see Jason Garrity back to his brilliant best.
The Rockets hit problems even before the tapes had risen on the opening heat when No.1 Edward Kennett experienced machinery issues and had to quickly borrow Simon Lambert’s bike for the race. The World Cup international looked uncomfortable on alien machinery, as Richie Worrall and Gino Manzares took advantage with a 5-1. Another maximum quickly followed from Adam Ellis and former Rocket Ritchie Hawkins in Heat 2 to give the Witches a 10-2 cushion that they never relinquished.
Ellis went on to feature in Heat 15 with an 11+2 showing, while Hawkins weighed in with 6+1.
The Rockets, meanwhile, were delighted to see Jason Garrity back on top form following his machinery nightmare at Peterborough the previous week. The young Lion racked up three wins in an 11+2 showing. Acting skipper Kennett rebounded from his early issues to also pick up three victories and Steve Boxall added a further success.
Rye House promoter Len Silver reiterated afterwards that “The match was really settled in the first two races – we never recovered from that beginning although we certainly held our own – and the fact that their two reserves were on fire.
“In contrast, Simon (Lambert) suffered two broken chains and Luke (Bowen) didn’t really get going until the end.
“It was good to see Jason (Garrity) back amongst the points, and they all did their best. To lose by ten points away against what looks a strong team is actually a very good display, and I am very pleased with the team’s performance.”
Following their League Cup road trips to Peterborough and Ipswich, the Rockets will finally sample home comforts on Saturday when they entertain the Panthers in the East of England Cup. The action starts at 7pm.
Rye House scorers:
Jason Garrity 11+2 (6 rides), Edward Kennett 11(5), Steve Boxall 8 (5), Mathieu Tresarrieu 5+1(5), Luke Bowen 5 (6), Simon Lambert 0 (3), Jason Bunyan R/R
Ipswich scorers:
Adam Ellis 11+2 (5 rides), Richie Worrall 11(5), Morten Risager 7+1(4), Gino Manzares 6+2 (4), Ritchie Hawkins 6+1 (4), Cameron Heeps 5 (4), Rohan Tungate 4+1(4)
Match Points: Ipswich 3 Rye House 0
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Post by speedyguy on Mar 30, 2014 6:42:30 GMT
Kennett Max as Rockets Bite Panthers
Rye House 56 Peterborough 37
(East of England Cup; Saturday, March 29th 2014)
The Silver Ski Rockets got their 2014 home programme underway with the perfect result and the perfect performance, a five ride maximum from Edward Kennett setting the seal on an emphatic push past Peterborough.
The victory completed an eleven day double over the Panthers, with this East of England Cup result following on from the Rockets’ League Cup success in Cambridgeshire.
Kennett was both the unbeaten star and played the game changer in more ways than one. The World Cup international figured in all four of the team’s 5-1 displays, with his opening ride “only” contributing a 4-2!
Team mate and 2014 Testimonial man Luke Bowen was quick to compliment Kennett afterwards. “Edward was absolutely awesome, and a real inspiration to the rest of us.”
His comment highlighted the Rockets all-round team performance: four other riders delivered race wins, and five of the side responsible for 9 points or more. In contrast, the Panthers suffered from a relatively long tail behind big hitters Ryan Fisher and Ulrich Ostergaard.
Bowen believes that the Rockets’ early results could set the scene for the rest of the season: “We’re really up there in terms of spirit and confidence. It is good to get an extra ride with Rider-Replacement, but once Jason (Bunyan) gets back from the Grand Prix we’ll have an extra person to share a laugh with and who will take the pressure off by giving us a full team.”
Bowen himself contributed two race wins in an excellent paid 11 haul against the Panthers, but admitted that it has taken time to fully settle back into the groove from a mental perspective after his long absence from the saddle with a broken thigh. “I have been really nervous for the last few weeks. I was so glad to get the opener at Peterborough out of the way because I was a bundle of nerves for that one. Fortunately, the match went really well, although I blew an engine in my third race.
“I tried a new engine out at Ipswich on Thursday, but it was too powerful. I kept spinning out of the starts, but at least I managed to get two good rides in at the end.
As for the build-up to this meeting, “I have to be honest and admit I’ve been “evil” all day, and “biting” everyone – a big “sorry” to everyone who’s had to deal with me today! - but I’ve had two big wins tonight and I’m really pleased with the way my meeting’s gone.”
Rye House scorers:
Edward Kennett 13+2 (5 rides), Steve Boxall 12+1 (6), Luke Bowen 10+1 (5), Mathieu Tresarrieu 9+3 (5), Jason Garrity 9 (5), Simon Lambert 3+2 (4), Jason Bunyan R/R
Peterborough scorers: Ryan Fisher 13 (5 rides, inc 6 as a TR), Ulrich Ostergaard 9 (6), Ales Dryml 6 (4), Oliver Greenwood 5+1 (7), Lasse Bjerre 4 (4), Danny Phillips 0 (4), Lewis Blackbird R/R
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Post by speedyguy on Mar 31, 2014 20:18:18 GMT
Preview: Rockets vs Plymouth
The Silver Ski Rockets will be out to continue their excellent start to the season when they meet Plymouth home and away in the League Cup this weekend. The Rockets visit Devon on Friday night, with the Devils returning the favour in Hoddesdon the following evening (Saturday, April 5th @7pm).
Rye have already won at hotshots Peterborough in the competition – and more recently bested the Panthers 56-37 in the East of England Cup with Edward Kennett producing an impeccable five ride maximum - and will be aiming for more of the same against the South-Westerners in order to cement their position in a tough round-robin group that also encompasses Ipswich and Somerset.
Their opponents, in contrast, have faced a difficult start to the campaign, trailing 33-18 at Peterborough when light stopped play and losing 57-36 at home to Somerset in a challenge fixture. Rye House team manager John Sampford is hesitant, however, to read to read too much into those early scores. “The Panthers are going to be major players in this year’s Premier League, and Somerset have another ultra-competitive team too, so neither of those scores was a total surprise. I am sure that the Devils will be a different proposition once they have bedded in and settled themselves down.”
The Rockets’ opponents have, in fact, totally re-built their roster from 2013’s side, with exciting prospect Rasmus Jensen effectively their only survivor from last year. World Cup international Ben Barker has returned to the club after a year’s absence, while the Devils’ squad also includes 2012 World U-21 Semi-Finalist Kyle Newman and 2004 Czech U-21 Champion Sam Simota, who was spotted practicing at yesterday’s Training School at Rye having paid the standard fee to participate! Elsewhere, Kalle Katajisto will hopefully be fit after suffering concussion in a track crash on Saturday.
Sampford continues, “We certainly know what Ben Barker is all about – he has topped or been second in the national averages in two of the last three seasons – and I am looking forward to seeing Rasmus Jensen for the first time after hearing very good reviews. And Kalle Katajisto has enjoyed some tremendous meetings at Rye in the past when he was with Edinburgh.
“So we are not going to under-estimate them at all. We remember that they came to us twice and beat us last year, and I am fully expecting a real scrap in both this weekend’s fixtures.
Rye House team:
Luke Bowen, Steve Boxall, Jason Bunyan R/R, Jason Garrity, Edward Kennett, Simon Lambert, Mathieu Tresarrieu
Plymouth team:
Ben Barker, Roland Benko, Rasmus Jensen, Kalle Katajisto, Kyle Newman, Ben Reade, Sam Simota
Saturday’s main fifteen races at Rye House will be followed by six more in the Midland Development League, as the Raiders face Milton Keynes in their opening MDL fixture. The Raiders’ team is Daniel Blake, Rob Watts, Luke Harris and Danny Ayres.
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Post by speedyguy on Apr 5, 2014 6:43:45 GMT
A Trip to Hades
Plymouth 58 Rye House 35
(League Cup; Friday, April 4th 2014)
It is a long drive home from Plymouth, and this one felt even longer after the Silver Ski Rockets were blasted 58-35 in their League Cup group match on Friday night by a rampant Devils side.
Edward Kennett bagged a couple of wins, and Steve Boxall added a third success, as the Rockets held their hosts to 19-17 before it all fully unravelled. It was a particularly unhappy evening for Jason Garrity and Simon Lambert, who failed to score. Garrity also took a heavy tumble in his third and final ride, while on board Mathieu Tresarrieu’s machinery.
The Devils, in contrast, were solid throughout, with Kyle Newman and Kalle Katajisto their biggest star men. The later shook off the cobwebs of his previous week’s concussion to go through the card undefeated and maintain the rich vein he has shown in the early season.
Rye House promoter Len Silver admitted afterwards that “It was a night of disasters for us. Full credit to Plymouth; their team was riding hard. We were riding hard too, but unfortunately from the back.
“We really missed Jason Garrity’s normal contribution. We would expect 8 or 9 points from him, and had he achieved that it would have made all the difference. But he had a lot of clutch problems, was generally last out of the gate, and made the mistake of over-riding to try to compensate. Then he demolished Mathieu Tresarrieu’s bike in his final heat, which will leave him feeling a bit second tomorrow.
“Simon Lambert suffered broken chains again, but at least we have now identified the cause, which is that his cam shaft was moving.
“All in all, it was not a good night, but we will put it behind us, learn a few lessons and move on.”
The moving on that Silver referred to starts with tomorrow night’s (Saturday’s) return match with the Devils at Hoddesdon, when the Rockets will endeavour to get their League Cup hopes back on track. The action starts at 7pm.
Rye House scorers:
Edward Kennett 12 (5 rides, inc 4 as a TR), Luke Bowen 9+1 (7), Steve Boxall 8+1 (6), Mathieu Tresarrieu 6+1 (5 rides, inc 2 as a TR), Jason Garrity 0 (3), Simon Lambert 0 (3), Jason Bunyan R/R
Plymouth scorers:
Kyle Newman 11 (4 rides), Kalle Katajisto 10+2 (4 rides, maximum), Ben Barker 10+1 (5), Sam Simota 10 (5), Roland Benko 8+2 (4), Rasmus Jensen 7+2 (4), Ben Reade 2 (4)
Match Points: Plymouth 3 Rye House 0
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Post by speedyguy on Apr 5, 2014 10:31:55 GMT
Bunyan Proves Two Points in GP
Rye House captain Jason Bunyan once again did himself proud when he appeared as a Wildcard in the New Zealand Grand Prix. The 9-times NZ Champion had previously scored a point in each of his two Auckland meetings, but managed two third places this time, finishing ahead of Chris Harris and two-times World Champion Greg Hancock.
Bunyan actually held second place in the first of those races, only to lose out to Darcy Ward on the final lap.
The Grand Final was won by German shock-merchant Martin Smolinski, who headed home Nicki Pedersen, Krzysztof Kasprzak and Freddie Lindgren in a thrilling race.
Defending World Champion and former Rocket Tai Woffinden failed to make the cut for the Semi-Finals with 7 points.
Well done, Bunny!
FIM New Zealand Grand Prix, Auckland:
Martin Smolinski 15 (1st), Nicki Pedersen 19 (2nd), Krzysztof Kasprzak 17 (3rd), Fredrik Lindgren 13 (4th), Kenneth Bjerre 11, Chris Holder 11, Jaroslaw Hampel 8, Andreas Jonsson 7, Tai Woffinden 7, Greg Hancock 6, Matej Zagar 6, Niels K Iversen 6, Darcy Ward 5, Troy Batchelor 4, Jason Bunyan 2, Chris Harris 0, Andrew Aldridge 0.
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Post by speedyguy on Apr 6, 2014 7:42:55 GMT
Weekend at Burnies
Rye House 42 Plymouth 48
(League Cup; Saturday, April 5th 2014)
The Silver Ski Rockets’ League Cup ambitions took a major blow as they slumped to their second defeat in two days against the Devils. It was also the third successive time that the Devon side had won at Hoddesdon.
Sparked by the dominant Edward Kennett, who squeezed out Ben Barker in a hard-fought first two bends in the opening race, the Rockets actually took an early 14-10 advantage, only to drop a point when American guest Gino Manzares – in for Jason Garrity, who had taken a heavy tumble the previous night at Plymouth – reared and fell on the last bend of Heat 5. There were further signs of what was to come when Sam Simota caught and passed Mathieu Tresarrieu for second place on the last lap of Heat 6 to restrict Rye to a 4-2 and keep the score at 20-16.
With Simota on a roll and Rasmus Jensen enjoying his first visit to Hertfordshire, the Devils now had able backing for No.1 Ben Barker, and added a further prong to their arsenal when Kalle Katajisto captured the first of his two race wins in Heat 8, to bring the score back to 25-23.
It was level four laps later, with Simota heading home Manzares and Ben Reade gaining an unexpected, but fully deserved, third spot over Tresarrieu.
Katajisto struck again in Heat 11, rounding Steve Boxall on the last bend of lap 2, and then producing a similar manoeuvre to sneak past Luke Bowen in exactly the same spot of the next circuit to follow home Barker for the 5-1 that put the Devils ahead at 35-31.
Kennett’s unbeaten home start to the year was finally ended when Barker took the chequered flag in a Heat 13 that was re-run after Kennett had bitten the first bend dust at the first time of asking. A visiting 4-2 there took the points spread up to 42-36, and Katajisto made sure of the Devils’ victory by winning his seventh ride of the night in a Heat 14 that will also be remembered for a brief heated exchange between Bowen and Jensen after the Dane had been excluded for taking out the Harlow Flyer’s left leg in an inside dive that saw Bowen hit the deck.
Kennett won the final race, but the Rockets were denied their only 5-1 as Boxall was picked off for second place, first by Simota and then by Barker.
A clearly disappointed Rye House team manager John Sampford said afterwards, “It was a great night’s racing but a very bad result. Hats off to the Devils; they gave us a lesson tonight, and have a real match winner in Kalle Katajisto, especially while they can keep him down at reserve for extra rides.
“Hopefully we will be back to full strength next Saturday when we have another toughie against Somerset. Jason Bunyan is scheduled to fly back from New Zealand on Thursday, and Jason Garrity should be fit again. He has paid a visit to his local hospital, and we’re hoping that it is only heavy bruising and that nothing is broken. We need him back – and back to what we know he is capable of producing for us.
“Steve Boxall should also have sorted out his engine; he was definitely down on power tonight.
“Those things can tip the balance for us next Saturday.”
Rye House scorers:
Edward Kennett 14 (5 rides), Luke Bowen 11+1 (7), Steve Boxall 7 (6), Mathieu Tresarrieu 5 (5), Gino Manzares (guest) 4+2 (4), Simon Lambert 1 (3), Jason Bunyan R/R
Plymouth scorers:
Kalle Katajisto 13+4 (7 rides), Ben Barker 12+1 (5), Sam Simota 10 (5), Rasmus Jensen 8 (4), Roland Benko 2 (3), Kyle Newman 2 (3), Ben Reade (3)
Match Points: Rye House 0 Plymouth 3
The Rye House Raiders lost their opening Midland Development League fixture in the six heat match that followed the Rockets’ League Cup action. Luke Harris was their only race winner, while Danny Ayres fell while leading Heat 2 and did not reappear, as Milton Keynes ran out easy 28-8 winners.
Rye House scorers:
Luke Harris 5 (3 rides), Rob Watts 2 (3), Joe Exley 1 (2), Danny Ayres 0 (1)
Milton Keynes scorers:
Jeremy Pestell 9 (3 rides), Sam Chapman 7+2 (3), Niall Strudwick 7+1 (3), Alec Wright 5+3 (3)
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Post by speedyguy on Apr 10, 2014 11:27:37 GMT
Preview: Rye House vs Somerset
The Silver Ski Rockets will be determined to put last weekend’s double disappointment behind them when they collide with Somerset in the League Cup at Rye House this Saturday (7pm start).
The Rockets were burned, not once but twice, by the Plymouth Devils within a 24 hour spell last weekend to counter-balance their earlier group away win at Peterborough and leave Saturday’s result critical in determining their remaining prospects in the competition.
The positive news on the team front is that they will field a full septet for the first time this season, with New Zealand Grand Prix Wildcard Jason Bunyan returning from Auckland and Jason Garrity from last Friday’s heavy bruising.
The Rebels, meanwhile, look radically different to the team that won the Premier League Championship and Knock-Out Cup last autumn – with No.1 Nick Morris and powerful reserve Charles Wright their only returnees – but have retained the same drive to be major players again this term. Two of last season’s Rockets, PLRC winner Oliver Allen and Pontus Aspgren, are now on board and they have a third former Rye man in Paul Starke. The Kurtz brothers complete their side, with Todd joining in the winter from Plymouth and younger sibling and NSW State Champion Brady set to make his first ever appearance at Hoddesdon.
Results-wise, the Rebels have made a positive start to their League Cup campaign, collecting an away match point at Peterborough (44-46), and although subsequently slipping up at fellow powerhouses Ipswich (41-53) have made amends by securing their first silverware of the year by defeating Newcastle home and away in the Premier Shield. They have also recorded an emphatic 57-36 challenge match win at the Rockets’ new bogie team Plymouth.
Rye House team manager John Sampford is quick to recognise their threat. “It’s going to be a tough match, that’s for sure. (Somerset team manager) Garry May doesn’t put together teams that fail, and they have obvious Rye House track specialists in Nick Morris, Olly Allen and Pontus Aspgren.
“But we are determined to bounce back on Saturday. None of us like losing, and please believe me we didn’t enjoy those two matches against Plymouth.
“We’ll have the two Jasons back, Bunyan from New Zealand and Garrity from injury, so we won’t have to operate Rider-Replacement at No.2 anymore. I’m looking to move Jason Bunyan around in the riding order; appearing at No.2 gives him three rides early in the match, and if we are looking to use him in Heat 15 there is a danger that he will have gone cold after his final ride in Heat 10.
“Steve Boxall and Mathieu Tresarrieu should also have sorted out last Saturday’s bike problems. Steve started well against the Devils, but as the track slickened off his engine became too strong and he was spinning too much. He’ll be looking at another engine, or to knock the timing back. Mathieu had a similar problem because his small track bike was wrecked at Plymouth the night before and he was forced to ride his big track one, which was just too powerful, on Saturday. He’ll be looking to use a softer engine on Saturday.”
Rye House line-up:
Luke Bowen, Steve Boxall, Jason Bunyan (captain), Jason Garrity, Edward Kennett, Simon Lambert, Mathieu Tresarrieu
Somerset line-up:
Oliver Allen (captain), Pontus Aspgren, Brady Kurtz, Todd Kurtz, Nick Morris, Paul Starke, Charles Wright
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Post by speedyguy on Apr 10, 2014 14:30:19 GMT
Preview: Update
The Silver Ski Rockets may yet be forced to return to the Rider-Replacement facility for Saturday’s home League Cup fixture against Somerset.
Having operated the facility to cover Jason Bunyan’s absence due his Grand Prix Wildcard spot, the Rockets had hoped that the captain’s return would give them a full strength team for the first time in 2014. It has now become evident, however, that Jason Garrity – who returned from injury last night in a Fast-Track Elite League role for Coventry at Birmingham – may well have done so prematurely.
Team manager John Sampford is therefore quickly re-formulating his game plan to provisionally employ the Rider-Replacement option should the 20 year old be unfit to take his place against the Rebels. As he himself admits, “It is not ideal by any means, but it is our only option. There are not many riders like Jason, who are capable of producing scores that are radically different to their average, so we are now praying that he will be fit enough to ride.”
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Post by speedyguy on Apr 13, 2014 7:58:44 GMT
Rockets Under Siege From Rebels
Rye House 40 Somerset 52
(League Cup; Saturday, April 12th 2013)
The Silver Ski Rockets’ League Cup hopes have tumbled after a bright start with successive home defeats. This latest came against a powerful Somerset side that have clear hopes, both of successfully defending last year’s League Championship and Knock-Out Cup and of adding this competition to their list of silverware. They already have the Premier Shield in their cabinet for 2013.
The Rockets were systematically taken down by the Rebels and were permitted just two on-track heat advantages all night, from 4-2s as late as Heats 13 and 14. The visitors’ scoring dominance did, however, mask some hard first bends with no one backing off, epitomised best in Edward Kennett’s victory in Heat 1 and Steve Boxall’s success in a Heat 7 that had to be re-run twice after both Rebels had hit the deck in separate incidents.
Kennett once again finished top of the Rye House score chart with 13+1, although the home highlight was probably the continued great form of Luke Bowen. The Bowen 747 effectively lost a year and a half to injury, but has quickly learned to fly again in 2014, weighing in here with three wins and 11 points.
The Rockets had to contend with a long tail, however, with Jason Bunyan’s first appearance of 2014 netting 2 points, Jason Garrity just a point more and Simon Lambert failing to score.
Team Manager John Sampford explained some of the Rockets’ “hidden” and public problems after the match. “Jason Bunyan is riding with a broken rib suffered in the practice session for the New Zealand Grand Prix. He is not complaining about it and just getting on with it, but he has a strap across his chest.
“Jason Garrity is still in pain too after his crash at Plymouth last Friday – he has got a lot of problems with the base of his back – and Steve Boxall has been experiencing stomach problems ever since his smash at Peterborough on the opening night of the season, but is still battling through.
“But we’re not looking for excuses. Even with a full strength side, Somerset would have been very tough to handle. As I mentioned earlier in the week, (their team manager) Garry May doesn’t put together losing teams, and they’ve got to be one of the favourites now for this competition.
“We always try to take some positives away from a position of adversity, and the biggest one tonight was probably Luke. Some people may feel that he should have received extra rides tonight, as we only gave him five at reserve. But we gave the two Jasons their full allocations because we’ve got to get them up to speed as well ahead of the main League programme. They can’t build up any momentum sitting in the pits.”
Rye House scorers:
Edward Kennett 13+1 (5 rides, inc 4 as a TR), Luke Bowen 11 (5), Steve Boxall 7 (5), Mathieu Tresarrieu 4+2 (4), Jason Garrity 3 (4), Jason Bunyan 2 (4), Simon Lambert 0 (3).
Somerset scorers:
Nick Morris 14+2 (6 rides), Pontus Aspgren 12+2 (6), Brady Kurtz 9+1 (5), Todd Kurtz 7+1 (5), Paul Starke 5+1 (4), Charles Wright 5 (4), Olly Allen R/R.
Match Points: Rye House 0 Somerset 4
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Post by speedyguy on Apr 15, 2014 10:09:32 GMT
Preview: Rye House vs Ipswich
Bank Holiday weekend fixtures at Rye House are set for Sunday afternoon (2pm) slots in 2014, and the first of those dates is this Easter Sunday, when the Silver Ski Rockets take on local derby arch-rivals Ipswich in the League Cup.
The Witches are seen by many as one of the powerhouses of this season’s Premier League, and four straight wins ahead of the Easter period to kick off their campaign certainly supports that view.
Their settled look is just one of the reasons why. 5-time Australian Long and Dirt Track Champion Rohan Tungate, Testimonial man Morten Risager and 2012 Western Australia State Champion Cameron Heeps are all established names at Foxhall Heath, while 2011-12 Rocket Ritchie Hawkins and Adam Ellis – one of the favourites in tonight’s British U-21 Final – are heading towards that description.
The other part of the equation is supplied by their two newbies. Seen by many as one of Britain’s Next Big Things, Richie Worrall has headed south from Newcastle to take on the No.1 position, while one of the United States’ Next Big Things, Gino Manzares fills the other new spot.
Rye House team manager John Sampford recognises the clear Witches’ threat as the Rockets look to rebound from consecutive home defeats. “They look an excellent side this year, and I anticipate another mega battle.
“But that is the nature of the Premier League this season. The teams keep coming, and there are no weak sides. I know that some people will disagree with me here, but in my opinion the Premier is the toughest of the three leagues. It is the most competitive.
“From our side of the match, Jason Bunyan, Jason Garrity and Steve Boxall will all have had an extra week to recover from their current injuries, and Jason G is also due to take a new rolling chassis off Edward Kennett this week, which will help solve his current bike issues.
“Like I’ve said, there are no easy matches in this League, but we’ve already taken something positive from holding the Witches to ten points around their place. Now it’s up to us to show what we are capable of around ours.”
Rye House team:
Luke Bowen, Steve Boxall, Jason Bunyan (captain), Jason Garrity, Edward Kennett, Simon Lambert, Mathieu Tresarrieu
Ipswich team:
Ritchie Hawkins (captain), Adam Ellis, Cameron Heeps, Gino Manzares, Morten Risager, Rohan Tungate, Richie Worrall
Sunday’s main fifteen heats will be followed by six more, as the Pocket Rockets – fresh from a battling draw at Long Eaton – collide with Stoke in the Midland Development League.
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Post by speedyguy on Apr 15, 2014 19:16:21 GMT
World Champion in Town!
Reigning World Champion and former Silver Ski Rocket Tai Woffinden will be the star name on show when Rye House hosts a Semi-Final of this year’s British Championship on Wednesday, April 30th (7.30pm).
The 2007-08 Rocket – also the defending national champion – has been drawn to ride at the Hertfordshire track, with 7-time titlist Scott Nicholls and Lakeside star Lewis Bridger also set to feature.
The Silver Ski Rockets will be represented in the round by National League Riders’ Champion Steve Boxall and Jason Garrity, who produced a stunning 7th place finish in the Final last year.
Staging promoting Len Silver is clearly delighted to see Woffinden named to the field. “I am absolutely over the moon to know that Tai will be coming home to one of his original stamping grounds, and I know that Rye House supporters will turn up in big numbers to cheer him on, together with Steve and Jason.
“I am unhappy that Luke Bowen has been overlooked for the Championship when riders with a lesser average have been selected, and I have already made an official complaint to the BSPA on that matter, but other than that I am delighted with the field.
“There will be no change to our standard Premier League level pricing for admission. There will, however, be an extra-large combined programme covering both this event and the preceding Saturday’s (April 26th) match between the Rockets and Scunthorpe. This will be on sale on the Saturday for £3.00, and be priced at just £1.00 on the Wednesday for those unable to come to the Scunthorpe match.”
The full draw for the Rye House round is:
1. Tai Woffinden, 2. Adam Ellis, 3. Lewis Bridger, 4. Richie Worrall, 5. Steve Boxall, 6. Ollie Allen, 7. Josh Auty, 8. Lewis Blackbird, 9. Leigh Lanham, 10.Ritchie Hawkins, 11. Carl Wilkinson, 12. Jason Garrity, 13. David Howe, 14. Ashley Birks, 15. Scott Nicholls, 16. Stefan Nielsen.
Rye House No.1 Edward Kennett, meanwhile, has been drawn to ride in the Semi-Final being staged at Sheffield six nights earlier, on Thursday, April 24th (7.45pm):
1. Danny King, 2. Edward Kennett, 3. Ashley Morris, 4. Craig Cook, 5. Derek Sneddon, 6. Simon Stead, 7. Richard Lawson, 8. Lewis Kerr, 9. Kyle Newman, 10. Charles Wright, 11. Chris Harris, 12. Stuart Robson, 13. Kyle Howarth, 14. Adam Roynon, 15. Ben Barker, 16. Andre Compton.
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Post by speedyguy on Apr 16, 2014 16:55:42 GMT
British Semi-Final Update: Bowen Flies In!
Further to yesterday’s announcement, the BSPA Management Committee, which was in session, have already heard promoter Len Silver’s appeal, and have now included Luke Bowen in the field for the British Semi-Final round being staged at Rye House on Wednesday, April 30th (7.30pm).
The revised draw, which includes reigning World Champion Tai Woffinden and 7-time national titlist Scott Nicholls, is:
1. Tai Woffinden, 2. Adam Ellis, 3. Lewis Bridger, 4. Richie Worrall, 5. Steve Boxall, 6. Ollie Allen, 7. Josh Auty, 8. Lewis Blackbird, 9. Richard Lawson, 10.Ritchie Hawkins, 11. Carl Wilkinson, 12. Jason Garrity, 13. Luke Bowen, 14. Ashley Birks, 15. Scott Nicholls, 16. Stefan Nielsen.
The revised draw for the Sheffield Semi-Final on Thursday, April 24th, and which involves Rye House No.1 Edward Kennett, is:
1. Danny King, 2. Edward Kennett, 3. Ashley Morris, 4. Craig Cook, 5. Derek Sneddon, 6. Simon Stead, 7. Leigh Lanham, 8. Lewis Kerr, 9. Kyle Newman, 10. Charles Wright, 11. Chris Harris, 12. Stuart Robson, 13. Kyle Howarth, 14. Adam Roynon, 15. Ben Barker, 16. Andre Compton.
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Post by speedyguy on Apr 20, 2014 18:55:30 GMT
Rockets Rain on Witches’ Parade
Rye House 51 Ipswich 39
(League Cup; Sunday, April 20th 2014)
The Silver Ski Rockets dodged both the weather and their arch-rivals from Suffolk, as a late surge took them from a squeaky 28-26 advantage to a decisive 51-39 cushion in Easter Sunday’s League Cup action at Rye House. The win was the Rockets’ first since March 29th, and an important morale booster ahead of this Saturday’s Premier League opener at home to Scunthorpe.
Conversely, the result was a devastating blow to Ipswich’s hopes of further progress in the competition. The Witches still trail group leaders Peterborough by two match points, with just a single – difficult - outing at Somerset to come. The Panthers, meanwhile, have two remaining group fixtures: at Rye on May 4th and away to Plymouth.
Despite an occasional drizzle that built to heavier rain for the final race, the meeting exhibited plenty of tinderbox qualities, thanks to a close early score and the tight, competitive racing normally associated with local derbies. No less than six drawn results from the first nine heats left the outcome delicately poised at 28-26, with a touchpaper moment seeming imminent after Jason Garrity had charged under Adam Ellis and caused the Witch to fall, leading to his own exclusion and what could have been a heated situation on his return to the pits. It was the first head-to-head between the two since last week’s controversial title decider at the British U-21 Final, but emotions were soon calmed and the pair later buried any potential hatchet with a handshake in the pits.
Then the surge began. There was less racing drama in Heat 10, but just as impactful an outcome as Edward Kennett and Mathieu Tresarrieu left Morten Risager and Cameron Heeps trailing for the first 5-1 of the match, to provide the Rockets with a 33-27 safety net.
Luke Bowen quickly followed up with a wonderful outside-to-inside manoeuvre off the first bend to head home Richie Worrall and Gino Manzares, then re-appeared to partner Jason Bunyan for the 5-1 that took the Rockets 10 points clear at 41-31.
That wasn’t the end of it, though. In a tactical masterpiece, Kennett took the field wide on the first bend of Heat 13 to allow partner Steve Boxall to cut back on the inside and join him for the maximum that clinched victory.
A win from Garrity in Heat 14 made sure of the third match point, before the drizzle turned into much heavier rain ahead of the finale. Kennett allowed his heart to rule his head in that one, over-doing it in the increasingly slippery conditions in his pursuit of race leader Worrall and disappearing into the safety fence on the last bend to hand Worrall and Morten Risager a 5-1 over remaining Rocket Tresarrieu.
It was Kennett’s second tumble of the match, although he was unbeaten in every race in which he stayed on his bike. Testimonial star Bowen also flew, with three wins in his 14 point haul, while captain Bunyan’s solid paid 8 indicates that he is re-building momentum after his broken rib.
It also proved a strong - if expensive - afternoon for Mathieu Tresarrieu, who weighed in with 10+1 against his former club but was also left to count the cost of a blown engine from his victory in Heat 1. The Frenchman said afterwards, “It went as I crossed the finish line. It was a good engine for the smaller tracks like Rye House, and I had to use my second bike – which is set up for the Grass Tracks – after that. I still got some good points, but it has been an expensive day.”
Regarding the Rockets’ late push toward victory, “We spoke as a team about the first corner. The first corner is very important here as a small track, and the talk worked.
“The track was OK; it just became a problem at the end (in Heat 15). It changed so quickly in the rain then, and I did not want to take any risks by going full gas, because you have to think about the rest of your year.”
Rye House promoter Len Silver was clearly delighted with the result as his charges got back to winning ways. “Up to the Easter weekend, the Witches were undefeated and you don’t get to that position unless you are a very good side.
“So to beat them so convincingly – you should ignore the relative lottery of Heat 15 when you look at the score – was tremendous. What was particularly pleasing to me was to see Jason Bunyan back amongst the points. He is still carrying his rib injury, but he was much more comfortable today.
“And we are still not firing on all cylinders yet, so we haven’t shown what we are fully capable of.”
Rye House scorers:
Luke Bowen 14 (6 rides), Mathieu Tresarrieu 10+1 (5), Edward Kennett 9 (5), Jason Bunyan 6+2 (4), Steve Boxall 6+2 (4), Jason Garrity 5 (4), Simon Lambert 1 (3)
Ipswich scorers:
Richie Worrall 10 (5 rides), Morten Risager 8+2 (5), Adam Ellis 6+1 (4), Ritchie Hawkins 6+1 (5), Gino Manzares 4+2 (4), Cameron Heeps 4 (4), Rohan Tungate 1 (4)
Match Points: Rye House 3 Ipswich 0
The scheduled Midland Development League fixture between the Raiders and the Stoke Spitfires, which was due to follow the League Cup match, was called off ahead of the meeting due to the weather concerns – the right call, given the rain that settled in after Heat 15.
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Post by speedyguy on Apr 23, 2014 13:21:30 GMT
Match Previews
The Silver Ski Rockets are gearing up to two matches in as many days as they round out their racing calendar in April.
The first stop is the Oak Tree Arena on Friday night for a return League Cup match with Somerset. The Rebels have already won in Hertfordshire, and retain very slim hopes of nabbing the top spot in the southern group. They need to claim maximum points both against the Rockets and next week’s home fixture against Ipswich, with Peterborough also coming away empty-handed from their two remaining meetings – at Rye and Plymouth – to potentially sneak through on race points.
The Rockets will be at full team strength, while the Rebels will field Josh Grajczonek as a guest for No.1 Nick Morris, who is committed to Elite League side Swindon the same night.
Rye House team manager John Sampford admits, “We’re under no illusions it will be a hard job to get the win, but if the riders all perform to their true potential, there is no reason we can’t take something away from the match.”
Rye House team:
Luke Bowen, Steve Boxall, Jason Bunyan (captain), Jason Garrity, Edward Kennett, Simon Lambert, Mathieu Tresarrieu
Somerset team:
Ollie Allen (captain), Pontus Aspgren, Josh Grajczonek (guest), Brady Kurtz, Todd Kurtz, Paul Starke, Charles Wright
The Rockets return home the following evening (Saturday, April 26th) for the start of the main Premier League programme.
The opposition will come from 2012 Champions Scunthorpe, who are very much on the rebound from a difficult start that has brought a serious back injury for former Rocket Anders Mellgren – although the Swede may amazingly be back in the saddle as early as the end of May – and consecutive home defeats against Sheffield and Redcar.
The Scorpions have persevered, achieving a stunning 12 point victory in their return match at Sheffield and also seeing off defending titlists Somerset and League Cup holders Newcastle in Lincolnshire.
They have named ex-Rye star Pontus Aspgren as their guest at No.1 on Saturday, meaning that the Swede will face his former club twice within the space of 24 hours. Their side also includes 2013 Cardiff reserve Josh Auty, former GP Wildcard David Howe, plus Thomas Jorgensen and 2012 NLRC winner Ashley Birks.
Sampford concedes that “The Scorpions are a good side - they’ve already won away at Sheffield to prove it – and Pontus Aspgren is an excellent choice of guest. He was paid for 14 when Somerset visited us recently.
“The riders are fired up again, and determined to build momentum, after Sunday’s victory over Ipswich. They all know, though, that you are only as good as your last race, and your last match, and that they’ve got to prove it all again this weekend.”
Rye House team:
Luke Bowen, Steve Boxall, Jason Bunyan (captain), Jason Garrity, Edward Kennett, Simon Lambert, Mathieu Tresarrieu
Scunthorpe team:
Pontus Aspgren (guest), Josh Auty, Ashley Birks, Ryan Douglas, David Howe, Thomas Jorgensen, Matt Williamson
Saturday’s Premier League match against Scunthorpe will be followed by the 6 heat Midland Development League match between the Raiders and Stoke that was originally planned for Easter Sunday but called off ahead of time due to the weather forecast.
Saturday’s match programme will be a special double header edition, also covering next Wednesday’s British Semi-Final at Rye House, and be priced at £3.00. Those not present against the Scorpions to buy the programme next Wednesday will pay £1.00.
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