|
Post by speedyguy on Aug 18, 2016 21:20:04 GMT
BRANFORD AND PRIEST TAKE BATTLE TO WARRIORS Just four days after winning the National League Fours Championship, the BMR Raiders came down to earth with a bump at the Isle of Wight, going down to the heaviest defeat of the season – 61-29 – in Ryde against the Warriors. Rob Branford bagged 11 of the Raiders’ points, dropping just one point in four completed races and taking a fall in his other. Captain Luke Priest was also in the wars courtesy of a heavy post-race tumble after he had won Heat 12 to take his own tally to 9, but the rest of the Team struggled to make an impression on the 385 metre (421 yards) circuit. Rye House Team Manager Peter Schroeck admitted afterwards that “We were really caught out by the track. I don’t want to use it as an excuse, but it was certainly a factor for us. “Branny (Rob Branford) had a good meeting, apart from the one race where he went through a hole into the boards. Luke (Priest) gave a good display as well until his own fall, and we pulled him out of his last ride, but the rest of the boys really did struggle to get around in fairness.” BMR Raiders: Rob Branford 11, Luke Priest 9, Ben Morley 6, Macauley Leek 2, Sam Woods 1, Connor Locke 0, Matt Saul R/R Isle of Wight: Mark Baseby 12+1, James Cockle 12, Lee Smart 10, Nathan Stoneman 8+3, Chris Widman 7+2, Layne Cupitt 7+1, Kelsey Dugard 5+2 Match Points: Isle of Wight 3 Rye House 0 The Raiders will be hoping for a reversal in fortunes when they return to home shale for a unique Saturday afternoon meeting against Coventry in the Travel Plus National League. The fixture starts at 2pm to accommodate the visiting club’s subsequent involvement in a second fixture later that day. The National League Fours trophy will be paraded at the start of the meeting, with supporters being offered a photo opportunity with the silverware and riders after the match. Additionally, an extended programme is being produced which will feature a double page picture spread commemorating Sunday’s championship success, while still priced at its regular £1. The visiting Storm, for their part, will arrive fresh from a 47-43 away success at King’s Lynn, and will have Ellis Perks in place as guest cover for broken collarbone victim Dan Greenwood, with Jack Parkinson-Blackburn in as a second substitute, this time for Liam Carr, who has a Premier League commitment. Schroeck is looking forward to Saturday. “It’s another day, and we’ll start from scratch again. It’s as simple as that. We’ll re-group beforehand so that we’re ready for this next battle. “We’ll also have the celebration and emotion of parading the Fours trophy on home shale, and hopefully the fans will be a part of that emotion and really get behind us for the match that follows.” BMR Raiders: Rob Branford, Macauley Leek, Connor Locke, Ben Morley, Luke Priest (captain), Matt Saul, Sam Woods Coventry: Mitchell Davey, Conor Dwyer, Jamie Halder, Jack Parkinson-Blackburn (guest), Ellis Perks (guest), Ryan Terry-Daley, Callum Walker
|
|
|
Post by speedyguy on Aug 19, 2016 9:42:19 GMT
|
|
|
Post by speedyguy on Aug 21, 2016 7:41:06 GMT
RAIDERS ON THE STORM Faultless five ride maximums from both Rob Branford and Ben Morley fuelled a spectacular BMR Raiders comeback, as their side responded to a mid-match eight point deficit to secure their second win of the season by a 49-41 score-line against Coventry. The start of the meeting was delayed by some thirty minutes because of several riders caught up in major traffic problems on the M25, and once underway it looked as though it would be the Raiders who would be marooned as they trailed 28-20 at Heat 8. Then the comeback started. Luke Priest’s victory in Heat 9 was countered by a fall at the back by Sam Woods, but the Raiders secured their first heat advantage of the day in the next heat as Branford took the chequered flag and Matt Saul took advantage of Storm guest Jack Parkinson-Blackburn’s engine failure when holding second place to force a 4-2. Another home 4-2 followed in Heat 12, as Priest and Macauley Leek finished either side of Jamie Halder, and then Branford and Morley levelled the score at 39-39 with a 5-1 over Ellis Perks and Mitchell Davey in the next bracket. A second stoppage failure for Parkinson-Blackburn, this time due to a puncture and while leading the penultimate race with just half a lap to go, handed Woods and Connor Locke the 5-1 that handed the advantage to Rye with only the nominated race to follow. Branford and Morley duly made sure of the Raiders’ overall victory as their team closed out with their third straight maximum to also deny the Storm even a consolation match point. Rye House Team Manager Peter Schroeck was positively beaming afterwards. “To come from eight points down to win by eight points; I’m really pleased for the guys, especially on the back of what we also achieved on Sunday. Coventry are a pretty strong side too, and although they had a little bit of bad luck, so have we in the past. “We always seem to go into matches as the underdog, and it’s nice to see the young kids bringing something to the party as well today – and what a difference that makes. It wasn’t just Branny (Rob Branford), Ben (Morley) and Luke (Priest). “At this level every single point is important, and I can’t pick one of them out, really. They all did well.” It would have been easy for the Raiders’ heads to fall when they dropped behind 28-20, but they kept their morale and kept fighting. Says Schroeck of that attitude: “We kept it going in the pits, to make them believe in themselves. Eight points is nothing in Speedway. If you are eighteen or twenty points behind, THEN you have problems and it is very hard to keep them going, but with eight I knew we had a shout, and I knew what comes in Heats 13 and 15 normally through Rob (Branford) and Ben (Morley). I thought that if we could fight our way back, and pick up one or two points here and there to get into the right position by the end of Heat 12 we could still get the job done.” George Hunter had a post-meeting spin, confirming that his track return is imminent. Updates Schroeck: “We’ll have to have a look at the rules and see how we can best squeeze him back in. He IS an asset to the Team, and we don’t want to waste any more time than we already have.” BMR Raiders: Rob Branford 14+1 (5 rides, max), Ben Morley 14+1 (5 rides, max), Luke Priest 8 (4), Sam Woods 6+1 (4), Matt Saul 5, Connor Locke 2+1 (4), Macauley Leek 2 (4)
Coventry: Jamie Halder 11+1 (6 rides), Ellis Perks (guest) 9 (5), Callum Walker 5+3 (5), Conor Dwyer 5+2 (4), Mitchell Davey 5+1 (4), Jack Parkinson Blackburn (guest) 5 (5), Ryan Terry-Daley 1 (1) Footnote: the Storm’s Ryan Terry-Daley was forced to withdraw after just one ride with the after-effects of a back injury suffered in a fall in an earlier meeting at Birmingham.
Match points: Rye House 3 Coventry 0
|
|
|
Post by speedyguy on Aug 25, 2016 8:44:24 GMT
BANK HOLIDAY BURN-UP! The BMR Rockets and Raiders are gearing themselves up for a hefty Bank Holiday weekend of racing, with no less than four key slices of action to focus on. The centrepiece will be Monday’s double header meeting at Rye House, which will kick in at 3pm with the Rockets’ crunch Knock-Out Cup quarter-final clash against Berwick. The Bandits arrive with a 16 point lead from the first leg, but Team Manager Peter Schroeck is confident that his riders can surmount that deficit in order to progress to the competition’s final four. “It is definitely doable. All the boys are fired up, and it will be a case of starting on the right foot with some good early points in order to build momentum as quickly as possible.” The Bandits may have forced a draw on their League visit to Hoddesdon back at the start of June, but leaned heavily on that occasion on their two guests (Michael Palm Toft and Luke Bowen), who contributed 17 between them and will not be present on Monday. Accordingly, continues Schroeck, “It should play more into our hands this time around. We’ve got the riders to do it. We just need to get stuck in quickly and do what we are more than capable of to come out on top.” Monday’s first fifteen races will be followed by fifteen more as the BMR Raiders take to the track against Buxton in the Travel Plus National League, with Schroeck optimistic that the Raiders can segue seamlessly from last Saturday’s victory against Coventry and the previous weekend’s success in the Fours. “We are quite confident, especially with George (Hunter) back, which will make us more solid at No.4. We’ve been able to keep Sam (Woods) in the side too; he is still on a high from the Fours and he scored a few points (against the Storm) last Saturday. If he can build on that, it will really help to tip the match in our favour.” BMR Rockets: Rob Branford, Cameron Heeps, Edward Kennett (captain), Leigh Lanham, Kasper Lykke, Ben Morley, Stuart Robson Berwick: Liam Carr, Kevin Doolan (captain), Dany Gappmaier, Thomas Jorgensen, Theo Pijper, Dawid Stachyra, Matthew Wethers BMR Raiders: Rob Branford, George Hunter, Connor Locke, Ben Morley, Luke Priest (captain), Matt Saul, Sam Woods Buxton: Tom Bacon (guest), Ryan Blacklock (captain), Ryan Burton, Lee Dicken, Shelby Rutherford, David Speight R/R, David Wallinger. Please note that the club will be staging its annual collection on behalf of the Speedway Riders Benevolent Fund during the meeting. Our grateful thanks in advance for all donations, however large or small. Monday’s double header admission pricing is: Adults £20, Seniors (over 60s) £17, Full-Time Students (17-22) £15, Children (aged 12-16) £8, with Children (under 12) admitted FREE.
The double header match programme will be £3.00
Please note that those seeking Student admission must provide a copy of their current student photo ID (issued by the NUS or their university/college) at the turnstiles.
Additionally, Buxton supporters wishing only to watch the second match may do so by entering the stadium after Heat 14 of the Knock-Out Cup match, with normal National League admission then applying:
Adults £12, Full-Time Students (17-22) £8, Children (aged 12-16) £5, with Children (under 12) FREE. Ahead of Bank Holiday Monday’s bonanza, the BMR Raiders will be at Mildenhall on Sunday afternoon (3.30pm). Says Schroeck of the road trip, “West Row will be quite a challenge, but most of the boys go pretty well round there, so I do feel we have got a chance of taking something away from the match.” BMR Raiders: Rob Branford, George Hunter, Macauley Leek, Connor Locke, Ben Morley, Luke Priest (captain), Sam Woods Finally, even before they get to the Fenlands, BMR Raiders linchpins Rob Branford and Ben Morley will be focused on the little matter of the National League Pairs Championship that takes place at King’s Lynn on Saturday night (7pm start), in an event that provides Morley with the chance to retain a title he won as a Kent King last season. Anticipates Schroeck, “It’s an open field, and anything can happen, so it wouldn’t be right to put any unnecessary pressure on Ben and Rob. We want them to go there and enjoy the occasion. All I will say is that they have a great understanding of each other, and I do think that they have a very good chance in the event.” National League Pairs line-up: GROUP A: CRADLEY: Ashley Morris & Max Clegg. EASTBOURNE: Adam Ellis & Jake Knight. ISLE OF WIGHT: Mark Baseby & James Cockle. KING'S LYNN: Tom Stokes & Nathan Greaves. MILDENHALL: Jon Armstrong & Danny Halsey.
GROUP B: BELLE VUE: Matt Williamson & Dan Bewley. BIRMINGHAM: Danyon Hume & Darryl Ritchings. KENT: James Shanes & Danny Ayres. RYE HOUSE: Ben Morley & Robert Branford. STOKE: Ben Wilson & Danny Phillips.
|
|
|
Post by speedyguy on Aug 27, 2016 21:12:06 GMT
NATIONAL LEAGUE PAIRS POSTPONED Saturday’s scheduled National League Pairs Championship at King’s Lynn – which was set to feature BMR Raiders Ben Morley and Rob Branford – was called off late afternoon due to a waterlogged track. A new date for the staging will be announced in due course. The Raiders will hope for drier weather when they venture to Mildenhall in the Travel Plus National League tomorrow afternoon (3.30pm). The Bank Holiday Weekend will be rounded off on Monday afternoon when both the Rockets and Raiders feature in home action against Berwick (Knock-Out Cup) and Buxton (Travel Plus National League), respectively. The racing at Hoddesdon gets underway at 3pm.
|
|
|
Post by speedyguy on Aug 28, 2016 21:02:44 GMT
RAIDERS PROVE POINT AT MILDENHALL The BMR Raiders earned their third away match point of the season, following earlier efforts at Kent and Eastbourne, with a battling performance at East Anglian arch-rivals Mildenhall on Sunday. Rob Branford led the way for Rye with a sparkling five ride maximum, and Ben Morley (11) and Luke Priest (8, despite a heavy fall the night before) also delivered their customary big innings – but the rest of the team also chipped in vital points at West Row as the Raiders ultimately went down by a tantalisingly close 47-43 margin. If it was a trademark performance from Branford, it was also a trademark comeback from the Raiders that earned them a share of the spoils – that despite a torrential downpour that could easily have curtailed the meeting at the mid-point mark. Trailing 40-32 with just three races remaining, Branford and Morley combined for a 5-1 over former Rye man Danny Halsey and Jon Armstrong in Heat 13 to halve the deficit, and then Connor Locke headed home 2015 Raider Alfie Bowtell and Jordan Jenkins in another vital result that kept alive Rye’s ambitions of a possible draw. However, while Branford duly completed his full house by taking the finale, partner Morley ground to a halt while chasing down the second placed Halsey. Rye House Team Manager Peter Schroeck was once again understandably proud of his side. “They all did their bit here today, and they all got stuck in despite the conditions after the rain. “Rob (Branford) really was head and shoulders above the rest of the field, and Ben (Morley) was so unlucky when the coil went on his bike when we had a chance for the draw in Heat 15. “Luke (Priest) felt a bit second hand after a crash while guesting at Plymouth last night, but he was still in there battling. “George (Hunter) was understandably nervous beforehand in his first match back (from injury), but we calmed him down, and he contributed some important points. So did Macauley (Leek) and Sam (Woods). “And Connor (Locke) was awesome, with his win in Heat 14 and his second place in Heat 8. That’s the best I’ve seen him ride, and it will set him up nicely for tomorrow.” That is when the Raiders return to home shale to take on Buxton. The Travel Plus National League match follows on from the BMR Rockets’ huge Knock-Out Cup clash against Berwick in what will be double header action. The racing gets underway at Rye House at 3pm. BMR Raiders: Rob Branford 14+1 (max), Ben Morley 11, Luke Priest 8, Connor Locke 5, George Hunter 2+1, Macauley Leek 2, Sam Woods 1. Mildenhall: Danny Halsey 13, Connor Coles 12+2, Alfie Bowtell 9+2, Jordan Jenkins 7+1, Robert Parker 3+2, Jon Armstrong 3, Kyle Hughes R/R. Match Points: Mildenhall 3 Rye House 0
|
|
|
Post by speedyguy on Aug 30, 2016 7:11:32 GMT
RAIDERS SHOOT DOWN HITMEN The BMR Raiders maintained their recent tremendous run of form as they romped to their biggest win of the season with a 56-34 victory over bottom club Buxton in the second half of Bank Holiday Monday’s double header at Rye House. The last fortnight has already seen the Raiders lift the National League Fours Championship, produce a stunning come-from-behind victory over Coventry and take home a match point from Mildenhall - and the Hitmen became their latest victims here as they were outpaced to the tune of thirteen heat wins to two. Rob Branford and Ben Morley bagged eight of those successes between them, with both going through the card, in Branford’s case for the third match in a row. Both Sam Woods and Luke Priest were close to joining them in the unbeaten stakes, with Woods posting three paid wins before a hiccough in his last ride, and Priest blasting 12 out of 12 before lifting from the gate in the nominated heat. Although the Rye House captain was able to get his machine under control and quickly rounded Lee Dicken for second spot, he left himself too much to do in his chase-down of remaining adversary Tom Bacon. It was only a minor blip in the scheme of things, however as the skipper said afterwards: “There was a real feel-good factor out there today. We’ve been getting stronger and stronger these last few meetings. It’s been great for the confidence of the lads, and everyone chipped in and had a good meeting.” From a personal viewpoint, “I’ve just done four meetings in four days, and I had a big crash (guesting) at Plymouth on Saturday. I’ve still been feeling the effects today, so to go through the card in my first four I was really happy. I didn’t want to turn Heat 15 down; I felt I was good enough, and I should really have got a max but I made a small mistake and it cost me. But I’m still happy with my points.” Priest was also quick to praise Sam Woods’ stand-out contribution behind the Raiders’ “Big Three”. “Sam has had a tough time this season; he’s been in and out of the team and struggled with engines, so for him to go unbeaten in his first three rides was really good for him and for the team. “Everyone’s doing well now, and we’re on a bit of a roll – and we like it!” BMR Raiders: Robert Branford 15 (5 rides, max), Luke Priest 13 (5), Ben Morley 11+1 (4 rides, max), Sam Woods 6+3 (4), George Hunter 4+1 (4), Connor Locke 4 (4), Matt Saul 3 (4) Buxton: Tom Bacon (guest) 11 (5 rides), David Wallinger 8+2 (7), Shelby Rutherford 7+2 (7), Ryan Burton 3+1 (4), Lee Dicken 3 (5), Ryan Blacklock 2 (2), David Speight R/R Match Points: Rye House 3 Buxton 0 Footnote: Visiting captain Ryan Blacklock was ruled out of the match following a right clavicle injury sustained in his second ride.
|
|
|
Post by speedyguy on Sept 7, 2016 8:50:45 GMT
RAIDERS READY FOR RIVALS The BMR Raiders will face not one, but TWO, local derby rivals in Hoddesdon on Sunday afternoon in the Travel Plus National League. The double header meeting will see the Raiders kick off against King’s Lynn at 4pm, with additional East Anglian adversaries Mildenhall due onto the circuit after the interval. As an added bonus, the club will also stage the Mitas British Youth 150cc Championship, consisting of seven qualifying races and a winner-takes-all Final. That event will start at the earlier time of 2.30. Rye House Team Manager Peter Schroeck is determined to see his side maintain their recent vein of form, one which has seen them lift the Fours Championship, beat Coventry and Buxton and take home a match point from a spirited display at Mildenhall. “The boys have come good over the last few weeks, and not just at the top end of the team. They gave great performances at Mildenhall and against Buxton over the Bank Holiday Weekend, and there’s no reason why they can’t do the same on Sunday to help push us up the League ladder. “There’s the added factor of both King’s Lynn and Mildenhall being local derby rivals too, which will definitely add a little “something” to the two matches. All in all, it should be an exciting afternoon, and we’re really looking forward to it.” BMR Raiders vs King’s Lynn: Rob Branford, George Hunter, Connor Locke, Ben Morley, Luke Priest (captain), Matt Saul, Sam Woods King’s Lynn: Jon Armstrong (guest), Scott Campos (captain), Nathan Greaves, Taylor Hampshire, Ryan Kinsley, Tom Stokes R/R, Lewis Whitmore BMR Raiders vs Mildenhall: Rob Branford, George Hunter, Macauley Leek, Connor Locke, Ben Morley, Luke Priest (captain), Sam Woods Mildenhall: Jon Armstrong, Alfie Bowtell, Connor Coles, Danny Halsey, Kyle Hughes R/R, William O’Keefe, Alex Spooner, TBC 12 year old Nathan Ablitt will be the pre-meeting favourite to lift the Mitas British 150cc Championship that precedes the National League action, having won every one of the forty races he has ridden in this class during the British Youth series, but he will also recognise that it is what happens on the day that matters now. Rye House Co-Promoter Steve Jenson is anticipating an exciting event. “We are proud to be hosting this Championship Final and supporting Neil Vatcher and the Young Lions set-up. “We know from the British Youth Series rounds that we have staged here in the past that the action will be fast and furious – and this Sunday will be no different and every one of the competitors will give 100%. “We are also delighted to be helping to support the next wave of young British riders. As I’ve said before, the British Youth system sits neatly alongside what we are aiming to achieve at a local level with our own new Training Track which is close to completion, as well as what we are targeting with our main Training Schools and – a bit further up the chain in the development of new talent - opportunities in the BMR Raiders in the National League.” Admission prices for Sunday’s meeting at Rye House – some 38 races in total – will be in line with a single Premier League meeting: Adults £16, Seniors (over 60s) £14, Full-Time Students (17-22) £10, Children (aged 12-16) £5, with Children (under 12) admitted FREE. The matchday programme will be £1.00. Please note that those seeking Student admission must provide a copy of their current student photo ID (issued by the NUS or their university/college) at the turnstiles.
Additionally, Mildenhall supporters wishing only to watch the second match may do so by entering the stadium after Heat 14 of the Raiders-King’s Lynn match, with normal National League admission then applying:
Adults £12, Full-Time Students (17-22) £8, Children (aged 12-16) £5, with Children (under 12) FREE
|
|
|
Post by speedyguy on Sept 12, 2016 6:28:55 GMT
RAIDERS OUTSHINE YOUNG STARS The BMR Raiders maintained their climb up the table by sweeping aside local derby rivals King’s Lynn 54-36 in the first of two Travel Plus National League matches staged at Rye House on Sunday. Ben Morley went through the card with a five ride maximum, and would have been joined in the unbeaten stakes by Rob Branford had the Raiders No.1 not fallen when second behind his colleague in Heat 13. Captain Luke Priest was also in powerful form, dropping his only points through mechanical failure when holding second spot in Heat 9, while Sam Woods added paid 8 and George Hunter 7, a haul that included his first victory in what has proven a stop-start season due to injury. Four consecutive 4-2s lifted the Raiders to a 19-11 advantage by Heat 5, and when Morley was joined at the front of Heat 7 by Woods – who passed both Ryan Kinsley and Scott Campos to claim second – the resulting 5-1 effectively sealed the win at 27-15. The Raiders posted no less than thirteen of the fifteen race wins, with the last saved for Morley in Heat 15 as leader Branford slowed on the last lap to allow his colleague to claim a full maximum for the match. The Southend Flyer appreciated his partner’s gesture. “It was a nice touch because he realised I was on for the full max. We are both going really well. He was fast today, and I must admit I was struggling to keep up with him! It’s been really tough the last few days (riding for the Rockets on the road) so to get the motors sorted and get a max was really important. “The last few matches, we’ve been picking up points here, there and everywhere. It’s a shame we couldn’t do that at the start of the season, but it is always nice when you do get them and begin to move up the table.” Morley does not want to be drawn too much on talk about the defence of his National League Riders’ Championship at Leicester on Saturday. “Some people may want to focus on me as the current holder of the title, but I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself. When I won it here last year, I just went out and enjoyed my racing, and it will be the same again on Saturday. I don’t want to make too much fuss about it, but just go there and enjoy myself.” BMR Raiders: Ben Morley 15 (5 rides, max), Robert Branford 11+1 (5), Luke Priest 9 (4), Sam Woods 7+1 (4), George Hunter 7 (4), Connor Locke 3 (4), Matt Saul 2 (4)
King’s Lynn: Nathan Greaves 13 (6 rides), Jon Armstrong (guest) 7+1 (5), Scott Campos 7 (5), Taylor Hampshire 3+2 (6), Ryan Kinsley 3+1 (5), Lewis Whitmore 3 (3), Tom Stokes R/R Match Points: Rye House 3 King’s Lynn 0 RAIDERS FEND OFF FENMEN The BMR Raiders extended their successful run to four wins in five matches – with an away match point at Mildenhall and the little matter of the Fours Championship thrown in for good measure along the way – when they edged the Fen Tigers in Sunday’s second local derby at Rye House. A tense affair with plenty of close racing, the lead changed hands on no less than three occasions, and there was never more than four points between the sides until a curious Heat 14 that ultimately settled the match. Race leader George Hunter was under severe pressure from former Rye man Alfie Bowtell when both fell independently on the third lap, causing the action to be halted, both riders excluded and the heat awarded as a 3-2 success for Macauley Leek that gave the Raiders an unassailable 44-39 advantage. There was still time for a dramatic nominated race that saw Ben Morley fall but Rob Branford more than compensate by storming past Danny Halsey and Jon Armstrong for a stunning victory. Talking after that pulsating finale, the Raiders’ No.1 stressed that even though the match was already won, “Every time I get on the track, I try to give it 100%. It doesn’t matter what race it is to me; I’m a racer and that’s what I’m here for. I treat it the same as any other race. “It’s good to ride against guys like Jon Armstrong; you know that he’s going to leave you enough racing room. When you have that trust with another rider, you can really put yourself out there and push the boundaries. “With my form at the moment, I really don’t want the season to end. I’m just taking it meeting by meeting and keeping myself busy. I’m not looking at the end yet, but it feels as though the season has gone really quickly. Fortunately the off-season will go pretty quickly too, and before you know it we’ll be in March again.” And of Saturday’s National League Riders’ Championship in which he will aim to place two rungs higher than 2015’s silver position: “I’m not going there to get beaten. It’s the same as every race and every other meeting. I treat every race the same, and go out in every one to win. “Let’s see what happens.” BMR Raiders: Robert Branford 11 (5 rides), Ben Morley 11 (5), Luke Priest 9 (4), Macauley Leek 7+2 (4), Connor Locke 5 (4), Sam Woods 3 (4), George Hunter 1 (4)
Mildenhall: Danny Halsey 13+1 (6 rides), Jon Armstrong 12+1 (6), Connor Coles 8+2 (5), Alfie Bowtell 6 (5), William O’Keefe 3 (4), Alex Spooner 0 (4), Kyle Hughes R/R Match Points: Rye House 3 Mildenhall 0 ABLITT WINS 150CC TITLE Exciting prospect Nathan Ablitt lived up to his pre-meeting billing as title favourite by lifting the Mitas British Youth 150cc Championship that was staged at Rye House on Sunday. The 12 year old not only went through the card in his programmed rides but also took the deciding Grande Final ahead of Sam Hagon and Mason O’Rourke to complete a simply remarkable British Youth season of not dropping a single race in some 45 heats! But if Ablitt’s success was an expected one, it only came at the climax of some fantastic racing that saw all seven competitors truly give 100%. Examples included a gripping Heat 3 in which O’Rourke pipped Sam Hagon to victory by just half a bike length and a stunning Heat 6 that saw Ablitt himself left at the rear of the field in the early stages after missing his gear and slipping into neutral before recovering to work his way past his three rivals. As Young Lions Manager Neil Vatcher put it afterwards, “None of those seven riders left anything in the can today. There was some really exciting racing, and every single one of the boys gave his all.” Of Nathan Ablitt’s incredible 45-out-of-45 record for the series: “As I’ve said before, it is incredibly hard for anybody to achieve that in ANY class. To go 9 meetings and 45 races undefeated, with no engine failures or slide-offs, is absolutely amazing. All credit to Nathan to finally be crowned British Champion. He certainly deserves that title. “It’s been a fantastic year. I say every season that the Series gets bigger and better each time around, and 2016 has been no different. Now we start making plans for next year! “It’s exciting for us that at National and Premier League level we’ve seen some really good kids coming through once again this year, and hopefully that will continue for many years to come.” Qualifying scores: Nathan Ablitt 12, Sam Hagon 10, Mason O’Rourke 7, Jamie Bursill 6, James Laker 3, Kieron McCoy 2, Charlie Jenson 2 Grand Final: Ablitt, Hagon, O’Rourke, Bursill (68.4 secs) MPT GUESTS AT PETERBOROUGH The BMR Rockets head to Cambridgeshire tomorrow night to tackle Peterborough in what is a must-win Premier League contest for both clubs. The Rockets desperately need points from the fixture to get away from the wrong end of the table while for the Panthers the match provides a last gasp opportunity to climb back into a play-off position. Former Peterborough star Michael Palm Toft – already known to Rye House fans for some big scores around the Hertfordshire circuit, and to a nationwide one for some fabulous passes in front of the Sky Sports cameras last week – will deputise for knee injury victim Edward Kennett. Says Team Manager Peter Schroeck of the Rockets’ guest choice: “Obviously, we would love to have Eddie there as our No.1, but Michael is on fire at the moment. Never mind about his average; everywhere he’s going he is good for double figures, and I think he’ll have a point to prove when he goes back to Peterborough, so with a bit of luck it will work in our favour. “We were not far adrift of making the Fours Final there in July, and we have had a good record at the Showground these last few years, so the potential is there; we just need to go that extra bit further than we have managed so far on the road. “I’ve told the boys that they need to step up to the plate, because we are now at the end of the season. They always want to be busy, and this is a period where they’ve been given a full calendar with lots of matches. They need to take advantage of that. “I’m looking forward to the match. I really do think we’ve got a good chance there.”
|
|
|
Post by speedyguy on Sept 18, 2016 6:45:43 GMT
MORLEY SILVER IN NLRC! BMR Rider Ben Morley sensationally recovered from a third race exclusion to finish second in this year’s National League Riders’ Championship, which was staged at Leicester on Saturday night. The defending Champion had secured five out of a possible six points when he was disqualified for bringing Matt Williamson down on the first bend of Heat 11, but quickly bounced back to win his two remaining rides – and then also hold off Birmingham’s Tom Perry in a dramatic run-off for second place. It proved a more difficult night for Morley’s colleague Rob Branford, who missed his opening ride after arriving late due to traffic chaos. Last year’s bronze winner managed two second places when he did get on the track, but that unfortunately was as good as it got as two subsequent retirements left him well down the pack. The Championship was won by Cradley’s Max Clegg, who lifted his second national title in the space of just four days after earlier claiming the British U-19 crown on Wednesday night. Our congratulations to him, and also to our own Southend Flyer. Result:
1st Max Clegg (Cradley) 14 2nd Ben Morley (Rye House) 11 (after run-off) 3rd Tom Perry (Birmingham) 11,
Other scorers: Luke Bowen 10, Matt Williamson 9, Nathan Greaves 8, Ben Wilson 8, Lee Payne 7, Ashley Morris 7, Jake Knight 7, Mark Baseby 6, Daniel Halsey 5, Ryan Blacklock 4, Rob Branford 4, James Shanes 4, Chris Widman (Res) 4, Ryan Kinsley (Res) 1, Liam Carr 0. Rye House supporters will have the opportunity to salute Ben Morley’s achievement – and also those of his Team as a whole in 2016 - tomorrow (Sunday) when the BMR Raiders host their final Travel Plus National League home fixture of the season. The opposition will come from the Isle of Wight, who will bring with them 2010 National League Riders’ Champion Lee Smart, as well as two riders who were part of early incarnations of the Raiders in James Cockle and Mark Baseby. Nathan Stoneman is also set to feature for the Warriors, just nine days after posting a remarkable 21 point maximum when his side won at Coventry. The Island side gave the Raiders a rough ride in Ryde when the two sides last met in August. That defeat has been the only real blip in the Raiders’ record since winning the Fours, and provides an obvious focus for revenge. A victory would also bring them within sight of the Warriors’ eighth place position in the table, with three away fixtures still outstanding. Said Rye House Team Manager Peter Schroeck ahead of time, “There is an old saying that success breeds success – and that’s how it has felt these last two months. As we keep saying, we win as a Team, and we lose as one – that’s why we celebrated the Fours title right across the squad. Every one of the boys has been really getting stuck in – they have ALL season – but they are finally now getting the rewards their efforts deserve. “We’re really looking forward to the match. As you can guess, all the boys are up for it, and we want to get a result that will set us up nicely for our final away fixtures.” The action starts at 6pm. BMR Raiders: Rob Branford, George Hunter, Macauley Leek, Connor Locke, Ben Morley, Luke Priest (captain), Matt Saul R/R Isle of Wight: Mark Baseby, James Cockle (captain), Layne Cupitt, Kelsey Dugard, Lee Smart, Nathan Stoneman, Chris Widman Sunday’s match at Rye House will be followed the following night by the BMR Rockets’ home Premier League finale against Scunthorpe, which kicks in at 7.30pm. A match preview for that fixture will follow separately.
|
|
|
Post by speedyguy on Sept 19, 2016 6:15:41 GMT
RAIDERS COME OUT TO PLAY AGAINST WARRIORS The BMR Raiders rounded out their home Travel Plus National League programme with what ultimately proved a comfortable 54-36 victory over the Isle of Wight at Rye House on Sunday evening. Rob Branford and Ben Morley both posted maximums, with captain Luke Priest dropping points in just one of his five outings, while George Hunter enjoyed two more race wins and Connor Locke’s full complement of seven rides produced paid 9. Macauley Leek completed the scoring with 1 point and an unlucky fall in Heat 11 when holding third. In total, the Raiders supplied fourteen of the fifteen race wins. The win – the Teams’ fourth in a row, and its fifth from their last six matches – cements Rye’s position of ninth in the table, and opens the opportunity to climb higher with the right results from their three remaining away fixtures. But if the final score and general statistics were decisive, the early stages were anything but that. The Warriors held the margin to 29-25 after nine races - with no less than seven of those heats producing 3-3s - and were unlucky not to be on level ground after Nathan Stoneman fell on the very last bend of Heat 2 to turn a visiting 4-2 into a home one. The match finally swung when Branford blasted past Lee Smart on the second lap to take the main three points in Heat 10, with the resulting 4-2 pushing the score to 33-27. Once the Raiders were clear, they really let rip, with three 5-1s coming from the remaining five races. Priest and Locke collected the first of those in Heat 12, with both Warriors falling, while Branford and Morley produced their customary Heat 13 display – with Morley returning the previous week’s favour by slowing on the run-in to allow his partner the full victory and the chance of a full maximum while he himself settled for a paid one. Branford duly delivered on that promise by romping home with Priest in the finale to give the Raiders their eighteen point winning margin and give Team Manager Peter Schroeck an extra reason to celebrate his 50th birthday. His captain Luke Priest was in an equally jubilant mood afterwards. “We are on the crest of a wave at the moment. We’re high, we’re feeling that way, and you can’t argue that we deserved to win.” Of the one that personally got away from him (Heat 5): “George (Hunter) made a good start and I tried to protect him, but in doing that I made a mistake and left the door open for Mark (Baseby). Yes, I got beat, but George managed to win the race so it wasn’t all for no reason. “We all know that George has had a really difficult season with injuries. He started to find his feet and confidence, and then got knocked back again, but he’s getting better and better now which is encouraging and we’re really happy for him. “Overall, it was a great Team performance, and if we can do this in the last three away meetings we’ll be really happy.” Those three matches take the Raiders to King’s Lynn (Wednesday), Coventry (Friday) and Buxton (date tbc). Says Priest, “I think that King’s Lynn will be the toughest of our three on the road, but we will go there on the crest of a wave like I say, and aim to do the business. “We all want the season to keep going the way it has these last two months.” BMR Raiders: Rob Branford 15 (5 rides, max), Luke Priest 12+1 (5), Ben Morley 11+1 (4 rides, max), George Hunter 8 (5), Connor Locke 7+2 (7), Macauley Leek 1 (4), Matt Saul R/R
Isle of Wight: Nathan Stoneman 8+2 (6 rides), James Cockle 7 (4), Mark Baseby 6 (4), Layne Cupitt 5+2 (5), Lee Smart 5+1 (4), Chris Widman 4+2 (4), Kelsey Dugard 1+1 (3) Match Points: Rye House 3 Isle of Wight 0 ]
|
|
|
Post by speedyguy on Sept 21, 2016 22:15:03 GMT
RAIDERS UNABLE TO STEM TIDE Captain Luke Priest had labelled this match beforehand as the toughest of his side’s three remaining away fixtures in the Travel Plus National League, and so it proved as the BMR Raiders went down 55-35 at King’s Lynn on Wednesday. The start of the meeting was delayed to enable remedial track work due to high tides in the area causing the water table to rise. Once it did commence, victories for Macauley Leek and Rob Branford ensured that the Raiders were in contention at 17-13 after the first third of the meeting, only for the hosts to turn the screw in the next segment with three 5-1s and a 4-2 from that stanza of five races. Two further wins by Branford in the closing stages helped to steady the ship, and indeed the 22 year old finished top of the Raiders’ pile on 13 points, with Priest offering the main support with 9 and Connor Locke adding paid 6. The Raiders operated Rider-Replacement for Ben Morley who was committed to action in the Elite League play-offs. Rye House Team Manager Peter Schroeck commented afterwards that “We are not going to allow ourselves to get too disappointed over this one because King’s Lynn are pretty strong at home and make this a fairly tough place to come to. “Even Branny (Rob Branford) struggled a bit with the track tonight as they had to pull all the dirt off because the tide was in, although it was obviously the same for both sides. “We’ve enjoyed a really good run recently, and we won’t let one match get us down.” Looking ahead to the Raiders’ penultimate trip in 2016, which takes them to Coventry in two nights’ time, Schroeck continued, “We’ve got a much better chance of getting something out of Friday’s meeting. The Storm have been vulnerable at home this season (losing seven times in nine matches), so we know what the opportunity is. “We will also have Ben (Morley) back, which will be a boost, and we won’t need to remind ourselves of what happened the LAST time we were at Brandon, when we went home with the Fours Championship trophy.” BMR Raiders: Robert Branford 13, Luke Priest 9, Connor Locke 5+1, George Hunter 4+1, Macauley Leek 4+1, Matt Saul 0, Ben Morley R/R King’s Lynn: Nathan Greaves 14+2, Jon Armstrong (guest) 14, Scott Campos 12+1, Ryan Kinsley 9+4, Taylor Hampshire 5, Lewis Whitmore 1+1, Tom Stokes R/R Match Points: King’s Lynn 3 Rye House 0
|
|
|
Post by speedyguy on Sept 23, 2016 21:16:56 GMT
RAIDERS AT COVENTRY – POSTPONED The BMR Raiders’ scheduled Travel Plus National League fixture at Coventry tonight – part of a double header with Stoke as the other visitors to Brandon – was called off earlier today due to stadium unavailability. A new date for the trip will be announced when confirmed. Separately, the Raiders have a new date for their visit to Buxton, following the original rain-off of this match back in June. Rye are now set to be at Hi-Edge on Sunday, October 23rd.
|
|
|
Post by speedyguy on Oct 16, 2016 13:44:43 GMT
NATIONAL LEAGUE PAIRS: POSTPONED Today’s National League Pairs Championship at King's Lynn, which was to have featured BMR Raiders Ben Morley and Rob Branford, has been postponed, with the call-off decision made mid-morning following extensive rain.
No new date has been arranged at this stage but we will advise further as and when this happens.
While a new date is also still to be announced for the Raiders’ trip to Coventry, they will be in Travel Plus National League action next Sunday when they visit bottom club Buxton targeting their first away victory of the season.
|
|
|
Post by speedyguy on Oct 20, 2016 18:09:12 GMT
THAT’S ALL…. FOR NOW! Rye House have been forced to abandon plans to stage a final home meeting in the 2016 season. The club had been keen to bring the curtain down on the first campaign of the New Attitude Era with one extra fixture at its Hoddesdon circuit, but that has not proved possible. As Co-Promoter Steve Jenson explains, “We had originally hoped to sign off with the home leg of the Knock-Out Cup Final, but that was obviously not to be. We then turned our attention to an individual or pairs finale, but rider availability in terms of suitable invites is a real problem at this time of year as everyone goes into hibernation for the winter. We wanted to provide an attractive field rather than just put on a meeting for the sake of it, but the star names we wanted to include were not available. “Additionally we have re-commenced work to complete the stadium initiatives already started, including the new motorcycle dealership on the fourth bend, and will also be investing in a number of new ones. These will all impact on crowd access areas and safety, and are another reason to call a halt now. “It is not ideal to draw a sudden line on our home racing without the chance to say goodbye for the year, but we’d like to use this opportunity to say a big thank-you to all our supporters for your attendance throughout the season. The year has seen some major steps forward in terms of our crowd levels – there are not many clubs who can make that claim – and we very much appreciate both your support and the atmosphere that has resonated in the stands and on the terraces. “Both our sides, the BMR Rockets and Raiders, have given 110% to a man - and also worked together as a Team, which is what it is all about here at Rye House. So it’s a big thank-you to every one of them, and to Peter Schroeck who has galvanised our two squads in his first season of team management. “We’d also like to thank all our sponsors, and our hard working track and stadium staff. Without them, none of this would be possible. “That includes Peter Jordison, our Clerk of the Course John Smith, John Strong, Steve Webb, and a host of others. They are all unsung heroes. “There is still the little matter of announcing the Mr Rocket and Mr Raider rider of the year award winners, which we will do in the near future. So the season isn’t quite over just yet! “We would also like to emphasise that although we have reached the conclusion of this season’s home racing, it is really only the end of the beginning. In addition to the continuation of our stadium enhancement programme, we are also well underway with our planning for the 2017 season on the track. “The BSPA Annual Conference is just around the corner, both calendar-wise and geographically at nearby Paradise Park – the home of the National Speedway Museum and the annual Celebration of Speedway – on November 1st through 3rd. “We are looking forward to making our first announcements on what we believe will be an exciting 2017 campaign once the regulations and structures for next season have been finalised at the Conference.”
|
|