|
Post by Administrator on Jul 3, 2016 21:11:18 GMT
RAIDERS REPELLED BY HEATHENS A full maximum from Rob Branford was unable to save the BMR Raiders, who fell to a 52-38 defeat against Cradley in Travel Plus National League action at Rye House on Sunday evening. Branford reeled off four straight race wins before being forced out of consideration for Heat 15 through illness, but fellow big gun Ben Morley proved the Raiders’ only other race winner in Heat 10, as the Heathens took control via their own top three of Max Clegg, Ashley Morris and 2015 Raider Luke Chessell – who was well placed to outpace Branford in Heat 7 until being forced to retire after losing his saddle. Reserve Bradley Andrews was also impressive after being called up from the No.8 spot, posting paid 13 from seven outings. Rye House Team Manager Peter Schroeck admitted afterwards that “We were left playing catch-up from the start after falling 9-3 behind after just two races. “We had a couple of hiccoughs with guys falling off and other bits and bobs happening, and it didn’t help that Rob (Branford) felt unwell in his last race. “I think a ten point defeat would have been fairer on us, but either way well done to Cradley for getting the result. “We saw improvements in certain riders from our end, which is the important thing. “Matt (Saul) was very nervous before his debut, and he had a few mechanical problems, but he also made a couple of good starts and got stuck in, so he showed he can do a job for us. “And George (Hunter) had a really good night, with paid 8, which shows he is getting back on track after his injury. “So overall there are positives we can take away from tonight. BMR Raiders: Robert Branford 12 (maximum), Ben Morley 8, George Hunter 6+2, Luke Priest 6+1, Matt Saul 2+1, Connor Locke 2, Kenny Bowdery 2 Cradley: Max Clegg 13, Ashley Morris 11+2, Bradley Andrews 10+3, Luke Chessell 8, Richard Andrews 8, Layne Cupitt 2+1, James Purchase R/R Match Points: Rye House 0 Cradley 4 Please note that the originally scheduled Raiders-Birmingham fixture at Rye House on Sunday, July 17th has now been postponed due to Premier League commitments away. With the Cardiff Grand Prix and Premier League Fours weekends also on the horizon, the next scheduled action at Rye House will therefore be the Premier League clash between the BMR Rockets and Somerset on Sunday, July 31st. Although unconfirmed at this stage, it is possible that this will be a double header meeting also involving Travel Plus National League action. Please keep an eye out on the Rye House website and media news releases for a potential future update.
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Jul 4, 2016 21:05:51 GMT
DOUBLE HEADER ON THE 31st Following yesterday’s announcement that the BMR Raiders’ Travel Plus National League match against Birmingham, originally set for July 17th, has been postponed, the two clubs have moved quickly to re-schedule the fixture. The teams will now clash at Rye House in what will become the second part of a double header meeting on Sunday, July 31st. The Somerset Rebels were already due in town that day to face in the BMR Rockets in Premier League action, and the Raiders-Brummies fixture will follow on directly from that. With some thirty heats to shoe-horn into the meeting, the first Premier League race will now be at 4pm, rather than Rye House’s normal 6pm Sunday evening start. Team BMR would like to thank both the Birmingham and Somerset promotions for accommodating these changes, and for agreeing them so rapidly.
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Jul 12, 2016 7:37:30 GMT
RAIDERS NEARLY OVERTHROW KINGS The BMR Raiders came close to gaining revenge for an opening night home reverse against Kent as they went down 45-39 at Sittingbourne’s Central Park in the Travel Plus National League in a match that was called at Heat 14 due to curfew. The Raiders had been thumped 56-34 at Rye House back in early April, but held their own here, thanks to another superb innings from their big three. Both Rob Branford and Ben Morley rode undefeated, with captain Luke Priest dropping just a single point himself after a narrow defeat by Danny Ayres, to offset a more difficult night for the Raiders’ younger end. George Hunter unfortunately exited the meeting after a nasty tumble in Heat 10, with Team Manager Peter Schroeck advising after the match that “George is battered and bruised. He is going to A&E to check out his hand. It’s the one he broke before, and although he’s got movement in it, it’s better to be safe than sorry. “He’s feeling a bit second hand at the moment, and he feels he let the team down – but of course he didn’t. “Rob (Branford) and Ben (Morley) were absolutely fantastic tonight. You could clearly see they really didn’t want to be beaten, which set up some great battles. And Luke (Priest) was close behind as back-up. “I’m a little disappointed that we couldn’t get to Heat 15, because I’m confident we would have taken a 5-1 with Rob and Ben and then lost by just two points on the night. But to come here and take away a match point against a team that is right up there challenging for the title is a superb achievement. “If we can take a few more points here and there away, and start to pick up form at home, we really can start to move up the table.” BMR Raiders: Rob Branford 12 (maximum), Ben Morley 11+1 (maximum), Luke Priest 11, Macauley Leek 5, Matt Saul 0, Georgie Hunter 0, Connor Locke 0 Kent: Jack Thomas 9+3, Danno Verge 9+2, Danny Ayres 9, David Mason 8+1, James Shanes 6+2, Georgie Wood 4+2, Luke Clifton R/R Match Points: Kent 3 Rye House 1
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Aug 9, 2016 7:32:00 GMT
RAIDERS NAMED TO FOURS! The BMR Raiders have received a late call-up for this coming Sunday’s National League Fours Championship (2.30pm start) which is being staged at Coventry, following the withdrawal of Kent due to injury problems. The Raiders will take the Kings’ place in Semi-Final Group “A” alongside quartets from Mildenhall, King’s Lynn and Cradley, while Group “B” will comprise Belle Vue, Eastbourne, defending champions Birmingham and hosts Coventry. The Rye House team has been named as Rob Branford, Ben Morley, Luke Priest and Sam Woods, with Team Manager Peter Schroeck optimistic about his side’s chances in the competition. “We were disappointed not to be originally named to Sunday’s event after reaching the Final last season, but the boys are excited about getting a shot, and with three top hitters in the team they are really up for it. “We may have been a late call-up, but we are not going there to make up the numbers, I can assure you. “It should be a really, really good meeting, and we’re looking forward to it.” In separate fixture news, the Raiders’ Travel Plus Tours National League away match at Mildenhall has now been re-scheduled for Sunday, August 28th, following the re-allocation of the original date of the 21st to an alternative fixture at West Row. Additionally, the Raiders have agreed to bring forward their match at League new boys the Isle of Wight from September 6th to Thursday, August 18th.
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Aug 11, 2016 21:14:32 GMT
PREVIEW: BELLE VUE VS RAIDERS The BMR Raiders head to Manchester to sample the new National Speedway Stadium tomorrow night as they face the Belle Vue Colts in the Travel Plus National League. Rye House Team Manager Peter Schroeck is looking forward to the Raiders’ first ever visit to the venue. “I’m confident that our top three can do the business up there. It has done the world of good to Ben (Morley) for him to visit places like Berwick and Workington this season, and that should set him up nicely for this one. Between him, Rob (Branford) and Luke Priest, we should have the foundation for the first 35 points, and if the rest of the side can chip in there is no reason why we can’t cause the Colts a problem or two.” On a separate matter, Schroeck continues, “George Hunter will be back in practice again very soon, after his latest injury, and we are hoping he will be back in the Team again in around a fortnight’s time. BMR Raiders: Rob Branford, Matt Saul, Luke Priest (captain), Sam Woods, Ben Morley, Connor Locke, Macauley Leek Belle Vue Colts: Ben Wilson (guest), Tom Woolley, Matt Williamson (captain), Rob Shuttleworth, Lee Payne, David Holt, Andy Mellish
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Aug 12, 2016 21:38:24 GMT
RAIDERS LEARN FROM BELLE VUE EXPERIENCE The BMR Raiders may have been unable to dent their opponents’ unbeaten home league record, falling 56-34 to play-off chasing Belle Vue in the Travel Plus National League on Friday night, but they certainly contributed to some great racing at the National Speedway Stadium. They also picked up plenty educationally from their visit to the Manchester facility. Firstly: the numbers. Newly appointed Rocket Rob Branford led the way for Rye with 13 points from 5 starts – and also bagged the National League track record at the circuit in Heat 5. Ben Morley added 9+1 and Luke Priest 7, as the Raiders’ three big guns contributed 29 of their side’s 34 total – and also their lone heat advantage, when Branford and Morley combined for a 5-1 over Lee Paine and Ben Wilson in a riveting Heat 13. But the hard statistics were only part of the story, as Rye House Team Manager Peter Schroeck explained afterwards. “There was some really awesome racing tonight, not least in Heat 13. Obviously, Rob (Branford) really was on top of his game, but there were plenty of other positives to take away from tonight. “Ben (Morley) proved what he has learned from trips to places like Workington and Berwick by using that knowledge to good effect here. Connor Locke had a good meeting, and was really racing – he more than deserved his paid 4. “And Sam (Woods) got dialled in to come up with a third place point in his last ride. “Belle Vue is such a big track compared to ours, but when you consider what we are trying to do with the Raiders this year, I am pleased with what the boys have taken away from tonight.” BMR Raiders: Rob Branford 13, Ben Morley 9+1, Luke Priest 7, Connor Locke 3+1, Matt Saul 1, Sam Woods 1, Macauley Leek 0 Belle Vue: Matt Williamson 14, Lee Payne 11, Tom Woolley 8+2, Joe Lawlor 6+2, Ben Wilson (guest) 6+1, Andy Mellish 6, Rob Shuttleworth 5+1 Match Points: Belle Vue 3 Rye House 0
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Aug 13, 2016 9:15:59 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Aug 14, 2016 21:03:11 GMT
WE ARE THE FOURS CHAMPIONS! A week ago, they weren’t even listed in the event, but on Sunday the BMR Raiders provided the Awesome Foursome as they lifted the National League Fours Championship at Coventry in sensational fashion. Rye House Team Manager Peter Schroeck had said beforehand that, “We may have been a late call-up, but we are not going there to make up the numbers, I can assure you.” So it proved on Sunday. The Raiders topped their semi-final group by a full four point margin over Cradley, with both Ben Morley and Rob Branford unbeaten, while Morley completed his day’s work with another maximum in the Final as Rye took the gold on 14 points, ahead of Belle Vue (12) and Eastbourne (11). The one blemish in the Final came when the Colts’ Rob Shuttleworth was ejected from further involvement in the event after a Heat 1 incident. A delighted Schroeck praised his side afterwards: “This is absolutely fantasttic for all the boys and the club as a whole. Firstly, Ben (Morley), Rob (Branford) and Luke (Priest) really deserve this because they are the guys who have held the Raiders together this year. They could have gone anywhere in the country if they wanted to go glory hunting, but they stuck with us – and this is their reward. “And Sam (Woods) fully played his part in this success too. He did exactly what we asked him to do, with no last places. You can’t ask for more than that. “We had a little bit of luck in the Final when one of the Belle Vue riders was disqualified from the meeting, but we simply got on with the business, kept plugging away and did the job. “We plan to parade the Fours trophy on Saturday at our home match against Coventry (2pm start), and we hope as many Rye House fans as possible can be there to join in the celebration.” Result and scorers from the National League Fours at Coventry:
GROUP A RYE HOUSE 18: Robert Branford 6, Ben Morley 6, Luke Priest 4, Sam Woods 2. CRADLEY 14: Max Clegg 5, Luke Chessell 3, Richard Andrews 3, Ashley Morris 3. MILDENHALL 13: Dan Halsey 5, Jon Armstrong 4, Connor Coles 3, Jordan Jenkins 1. BUXTON 3: Lee Geary 2, Mitchell Beckett 1, Lee Dicken 0, David Wallinger 0.
GROUP B: EASTBOURNE 17: Ellis Perks 6, Adam Ellis 6, Georgie Wood 3, Jake Knight 2. BELLE VUE 17: Dan Bewley 5, Lee Payne 5, Matt Williamson 4, Rob Shuttleworth 3. BIRMINGHAM 12: Jack Smith 3, Tom Perry 3, Jack Parkinson-Blackburn 3, Tom Bacon 3. COVENTRY 2: Mitchell Davey 2, Ryan Terry-Daley 0, Liam Carr 0, Conor Dwyer 0.
FINAL: RYE HOUSE 14: Ben Morley 6, Rob Branford 4, Sam Woods 3, Luke Priest 1. BELLE VUE 12: Dan Bewley 5, Matt Williamson 5, Lee Payne 2, Rob Shuttleworth 0. EASTBOURNE 11: Jake Knight 4, Adam Ellis 3, Georgie Wood 3, Ellis Perks 1. CRADLEY 7: Ashley Morris 4, Max Clegg 3, Luke Chessell 0, Richard Andrews 0.
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Aug 16, 2016 14:52:05 GMT
NATIONAL LEAGUE PAIRS DRAW The BMR Rockets will go in search of their second piece of silverware in the space of a fortnight, when they target gold in the National League Pairs Championship, which is being staged at King’s Lynn on Saturday, August 27th (7pm).
The draw has just been made for this event, which will feature duos from ten clubs, with the Raiders drawn in Group B alongside pairs from Birmingham, Kent, Belle Vue and Buxton. Group A, meanwhile, will feature Cradley, Eastbourne, host club King’s Lynn, Mildenhall and the Isle of Wight.
Each group will feature ten heats, with the top two teams progressing to the semi-finals. The winner of each semi-final will battle for the top prize whilst the two losing semi-finalists will take part in the consolation final.
Admission has been priced at £15 for adults and £4 for juniors with a programme available for £2.50. The confirmed pairing compositions will be announced in the near future.
NATIONAL LEAGUE PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP: GROUP A: Cradley, Eastbourne, King’s Lynn, Mildenhall, Isle of Wight. GROUP B: Birmingham, Kent, Rye House, Belle Vue, Buxton.
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Aug 18, 2016 21:16:48 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 A
|
|
|
Post by Administrator on Aug 21, 2016 7:38:44 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 Administrator on Aug 25, 2016 8:41:03 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 Administrator on Aug 27, 2016 21:10:48 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 Administrator on Aug 28, 2016 21:04:01 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 Administrator on Aug 30, 2016 7:10:43 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.
|
|