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Post by Administrator on Jul 14, 2011 15:46:06 GMT
BRITISH UNDER-19 DRAW THURSDAY JULY 14, 2011
THE draw has been made for the British Under-19 Championship which is being staged at Rye House on Saturday July 23 (7pm).
As follows:
1. Joe Jacobs (Mildenhall) 2. Oliver Rayson (King’s Lynn) 3. Brendon Johnson (Dudley) 4. Ritchie Franklin (Dudley) 5. Jason Garrity (Belle Vue) 6. Ashley Morris (Dudley) 7. Ritchie Andrews (Newport) 8. Shane Hazelden Hackney) 9. Darryl Ritchings (Dudley) 10. James Sarjeant (Stoke) 11. Kyle Howarth (Belle Vue) 12. Tom Stokes (King’s Lynn) 13. Jake Knight (King’s Lynn) 14. Ben Morley (Hackney) 15. Tom Perry (Dudley) 16. Marc Owen (Hackney)
Reserves 17. Danny Stoneman (Dudley) 18. Brandon Freemantle (Hackney)
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Post by Administrator on Jul 16, 2011 7:12:36 GMT
Hawks Buck Buxton to Stay Clear at Top Hackney 54 Buxton 41 (National League, Friday July 15th 2011) The Hackney Hawks completed a quick double over last season’s champions to extend their lead at the top of the National League table back to four points. They were, however, made to fight in the closing stages for the final available match point. The Hawks provided the first man past the post in nine of the first twelve heats, with four of those races – all involving reignited reserve Ben Hopwood – producing 5-1s, to help boost the progressive score to a comfortable 45-29. Buxton gave their hosts a scare, though, when Tactical Rider Robert Branford combined with Adam Allott to blast an 8-1 in Heat 13, reducing the margin to just 9. With Ben Taylor then heading home Hopwood and Marc Owen in the next race, Hackney took a 49-40 advantage into the final heat, needing to avoid a 5-1 to claim the third match point. That objective was achieved in emphatic fashion when David Mason and Barrie Evans led Allott and Branford from the tapes to the chequered flag. Mason finished the night with a monster 16, with both Evans and Hopwood close behind on paid 15. Hackney operated Rider-Replacement for injured No.1 Shane Hazelden, who is out with a fractured and dislocated finger but aiming to return to action for next Saturday’s British U-19 Championship at Rye House. The Hawks had hoped to book Paul Starke – who had been instrumental in Sunday’s first victory over the Hitmen in Derbyshire - as a guest, but the 2010 Rocket was injured himself at King’s Lynn on Wednesday. Joint Team Manager John Sampford was happy overall with the way things went. “We got the result we wanted tonight. We were cruising at Heat 12, but the 8-1 in Heat 13 changed matters a bit. In the end, David (Mason) and Barrie (Evans) trapped in the final race to make absolutely sure there was never a chance of Buxton getting a repeat result there. “You can’t underestimate the contribution of our top three – David Mason, Barrie Evans and Ben Hopwood – tonight, but we needed the other riders to also score, and they did. Ben (Morley), in particular, was doing well until he hit mechanical problems in his fourth ride, and he eventually had to borrow a bike when he came out for Heat 13.” Hackney scorers: Shane Hazelden R/R Ben Morley 7+1 (5 rides) David Mason 16 (6) Marc Owen 3+2 (4) Barrie Evans 12+3 (6) Brandon Freemantle 2+1 (3) Ben Hopwood 14+1 6) Buxton scorers: Adam Allott 9+1 (5 rides) Dean Felton 2+1 (4) Luke Priest 4+2 (4) Ben Taylor 12 (4 rides, inc 4 as a TR) Robert Branford 13 (5 rides, inc 6 as a TR) Paul Burnett 0 (4) Ryan Blacklock 1 (4) Match points: Hackney 3 Buxton 0
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Post by Administrator on Jul 18, 2011 13:35:01 GMT
Hawks on the Road
The Hackney Hawks have enjoyed a renewed drive toward the National League play-offs, with home and away wins over Buxton and earlier comfortable victories over the Isle of Wight and Newport hoisting them to top spot in the table.
That momentum will next be put to the test when they head to Mildenhall next Sunday (July 24th). The Hawks will need little reminding of the 60-32 mauling they received - after losing Shane Hazelden early on to injury - when they were last at West Row on June 5th in the Knock-Out Cup. They will also have noticed, however, that the Fen Tigers were made to struggle by Buxton in their next home match (47-43) and then became the first team to lose to the Hitmen in the League when upended at Hi Edge.
Beyond their trip to West Row, the Hawks have outstanding away fixtures at Newport (August 14th), Belle Vue (August 31st) and Stoke (September 10th) still to come.
Their final home regular season fixture at Rye House will be against the Fen Tigers on Saturday, August 27th, while a date has yet to be agreed for their one remaining match at “alternative nest” Lakeside, against the combined Scunthorpe/Sheffield team.
Bring It On: the 2011 British U-19 Championship (Saturday, July 23rd @ 7pm)
There is now less to one week to go until the staging of the re-christened British Under-19 Championship at Rye House.
Brendan Johnson will defend the title he won at Somerset at Under-18 level last season, with the age group modified to allow British speedway to fall in line with FIM/UEM set-ups.
There are three ‘home’ riders gunning for glory in the main body of the event, courtesy of Hackney Hawks Ben Morley, Shane Hazelden and Marc Owen, with fast-improving British U-15 Champion Brandon Freemantle also named as one of the meeting reserves.
In the case of Hazelden, it’s a case of a rush to fitness following the fractured and dislocated finger he suffered in the Hawks’ recent home win over the Isle of Wight . He has been drawn at No.8, which brings up an opening ride against 2008 British U-15 Champion Jason Garrity, 2009 titlist Ashley Morris and Newport ’s Ritchie Andrews.
Morley and Owen, meanwhile, have been drawn at 14 and 16, respectively, which will pit them against each other in a first ride that also includes Jake Knight of King’s Lynn and Dudley ’s Tom Perry, who escaped from a nasty crash at Belle Vue last Wednesday with an all-clear verdict from subsequent x-rays.
The full draw is:
1. Joe Jacobs (Mildenhall) 2. Oliver Rayson ( King’s Lynn ) 3. Brendon Johnson ( Dudley ) 4. Ritchie Franklin ( Dudley ) 5. Jason Garrity (Belle Vue) 6. Ashley Morris ( Dudley ) 7. Ritchie Andrews ( Newport ) 8. Shane Hazelden Hackney) 9. Darryl Ritchings ( Dudley ) 10. James Sarjeant (Stoke) 11. Kyle Howarth (Belle Vue) 12. Tom Stokes ( King’s Lynn ) 13. Jake Knight ( King’s Lynn ) 14. Ben Morley (Hackney) 15. Tom Perry ( Dudley ) 16. Marc Owen (Hackney)
Reserves 17. Danny Stoneman ( Dudley ) 18. Brandon Freemantle (Hackney)
Forthcoming Fixtures at Rye House
Saturday, July 23rd British U-19 Championship 7.00pm
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Post by Administrator on Jul 18, 2011 16:36:55 GMT
Additional Home Match For Hawks at Rye House A date has now been agreed for Hackney’s outstanding home National League fixture against the combined Scunthorpe/Sheffield side. The match – which could well have great bearing on the final Play-Off qualification spots – will take place at Rye House on Sunday, September 11th as the second part of a double header meeting and will be preceded by a second phase Premier League fixture involving the Silver Ski Rockets. Although there will be 30 races on show, there will be no increase in admission charges above Rye’s standard Premier League pricing. The meeting will start at 2pm, which means that the Hawks should take to the track at around 4pm.
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Post by Administrator on Jul 19, 2011 19:34:15 GMT
Freak Accident For Evans Hackney star Barrie Evans has been sent to the sidelines following a freak injury suffered at Lakeside last Friday. The 2003 National League Riders Champion had posted a paid 15 tally during the Hawks’ victory over Buxton, only to suffer the injury at the end of the victory parade which saw the team circle the tarmac stock car circuit that surrounds the speedway track. Evans’ right foot caught and became lodged in a small pothole in the circuit and was then hit by his footrest as the bike continued forward. He was treated at the time by the track paramedic, but subsequent hospital x-rays on the way home were inconclusive due to the swelling that had already developed in his foot. Evans revisited his local hospital today, where further examination thankfully revealed no broken bones, but unfortunately also confirmed extensive tissue damage and the possibility of ligament and tendon damage. Evans is now on crutches for non-weight bearing purposes, and will miss the Hawks’ National League match at Mildenhall this Sunday, with Hackney operating the Rider-Replacement facility as coverage. There is also a major question mark over his fitness for the National League Fours Championship which is being staged at Stoke the following Saturday (July 30th).
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Post by Administrator on Jul 24, 2011 7:09:17 GMT
British U-19 Championship, including interviews with the principal parties: Garrity Wins U-19 Title, Hazelden and Morley on Rostrum British U-19 Championship (Rye House, Saturday July 23rd 2011) 1st Jason Garrity (Belle Vue) 2nd Shane Hazelden (Hackney) 3rd Ben Morley (Hackney) There was plenty to shout about at the British U-19 Championship at Rye House on Saturday night, with the unpredictable, yet wildly exciting Jason Garrity winning the crown and home stars Shane Hazelden and Ben Morley filling the other rostrum places. For Garrity, it was the continuation of a roller-coaster ride that initiated with the British U-15 title in 2008 and has more recently taken in a 9 point National League average with Belle Vue and 6th place in April’s U-21 Final. The 17 year old had to sweat it out earlier in the night after falling in his opening ride and making the cut for the Semi-Final race-off on count-back – he squeezed out Joe Jacobs for the last qualification spot courtesy of an extra second place in his programmed rides – before making no mistake in either the Semi or the Grand Final. Said Garrity afterwards, “I didn’t start off well, locking up in my first ride, but it’s how the night ends that really counts. Things have been going well for me this year. I had my Elite League debut at Peterborough last night, and I learned from that experience, and I was able to come here tonight and show where it’s got me.” For Hazelden, meanwhile, the evening proved a triumphant return from a fractured and dislocated finger which had kept him on the sidelines for the previous two weeks. The teenager has endured a rough ride since his elevation from reserve to Hackney’s No.1 slot, but despite aggravating his injury in a first bend fall in the first attempt to run the Grand Final, it was impossible to disguise his elation afterwards. “The doctor said I should take another fortnight off, and said that I was pushing it to ride. I haven’t been on a bike for two weeks, but I went back to basics with my settings, and felt good on the bike and really fast. “I struggled a little bit toward the end of the night as the track slickened off, but I was still getting wins and seconds. I hurt my finger again and got winded during the first go at the Final, but I went out in the re-run and made a better gate. I would have settled for just reaching the Final, so second place is more than good.” Fellow Hawk Ben Morley finished third in the Final shoot-out but was visibly disappointed afterwards with that result, having earlier dropped just one point in his programmed rides to post top spot in the main meeting. “It was a good meeting overall, but I chose the Final to make my worst gate of the night. Unfortunately that was the one that counted.” It proved a mixed night for the third Hackney rider involved, Marc Owen. The 16 year old managed just two points from his first three rides, but then won his last two outings to finish 8th overall. Elsewhere, James Sarjeant turned more than a few heads by winning three of his programmed races and then easing through the Semi-Final before coming unstuck in the decider. Much was expected of doubling-up Belle Vue Colt and Edinburgh Monarch Kyle Howarth, and the 17 year old looked on the crest of a wave after recovering from a third race third place to reel off three straight victories. Another third place behind Morley and Garrity forced him into the Semi-Final, however, and he was left trailing in that last chance run-off. British U-21 Grasstrack Champion Tom Perry also sparkled in places, but a fall while leading Heat 16 seemed to sap his morale and he trailed in last in his final outing. Young Lions Managers Phil Morris and Neil Vatcher were more than pleased with the night’s action. Said Morris afterwards, “It was great to see the young lads putting on a really good show. There were a couple of tough first bends, but that showed they all wanted to win.” Vatcher added, “We must offer a big thank-you to (Rye House promoter) Len Silver for putting the event on. It’s a great venue to come to, and it offered some great racing. There were some exciting British youngsters on show tonight. Let’s hope that everyone can keep supporting them to help give them a big future in the sport.” Scorers (main 20 heat programme): Ben Morley 14, Shane Hazelden 12 (both to grand final), Ashley Morris 12, Kyle Howarth 11, James Sarjeant 10, Jason Garrity 10 (through to semi-final), Joe Jacobs 10, Marc Owen 8, Ritchie Franklin 6, Tom Stokes 6, Tom Perry 5, Darryl Ritchings 4, Ritchie Andrews 4, Jake Knight 3, Brendan Johnson 2, Oliver Rayson 2 Reserves: Danny Stoneman 1 (1 ride), Adam Portwood dnr Semi-Final (top two to Grand Final): Garrity, Sarjeant, Morris, Howarth Grand Final: Garrity, Hazelden, Morley, Sarjeant
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Post by Administrator on Jul 24, 2011 20:22:47 GMT
Hawks Come Up Tactically Short at Mildenhall Mildenhall 57 Hackney 35 (National League, Sunday July 24th 2011) Missing the services of Barrie Evans due to a foot injury, this was always going to be a big ask of the Hawks. The Rider-Replacement facility yielded a scant 2 points (plus two bonus) as coverage for the former Mildenhall man, leaving a huge hole in the Hackney offence. Ben Morley – following on from his third placed finish the night before in the British U-19 Championship – did his best to fill the gap with two wins in an excellent paid 14 point haul. That tally would have been even higher but for a last lap fall while leading Heat 15. Marc Owen added a further race win, but that was about it in terms of major positives. Hackney’s lack of top-end firepower contrasted heavily with a rock solid Fen Tigers outfit that fielded five different race winners, with all seven riders paid for at least one success. The biggest talking point of the meeting, though, derived from a bizarre Heat 9 which saw first Joe Jacobs and Cameron Heeps excluded for separate falls. With Morley on a Tactical Ride nomination, an 8-0 in Hackney’s favour clearly beckoned in the second re-run.
Unfortunately, Morley’s cut-out came adrift on the final lap, with partner Brandon Freemantle then slowing in an attempt to keep his partner in front for the additional double points. Morley duly got his bike running again and both riders completed the race, only for the referee to disqualify Freemantle for not making a bona fide attempt to race! The consequent 6-0 (rather than 8-0) left the Hawks behind 32-22 at that stage, instead of within 8 points of their hosts, and had the Hawks’ management absolutely spitting feathers over the decision.
As promoter Len Silver stressed afterwards, “The slowing of a rider to allow his partner through when on a Tactical nomination is an established situation within the sport, and one that is witnessed around the country every week. Why, in Heat 11 today we had an identical situation, where Ben Hopwood allowed Shane Hazelden through for second place without any questioning of the finish. It makes a mockery of an established rule, and we plan to make an official complaint.” All of which will add heat to the forthcoming return match between the two sides. The Hawks will have their chance of revenge when the Fen Tigers arrive at Rye House on Saturday, August 27th. Between now and then, the Hawks are travellers themselves as they visit Newport on Sunday, August 14th. Hackney scorers: Shane Hazelden 7 (5 rides, inc 4 as a TR) Barrie Evans R/R David Mason 5 (5) Marc Owen 5+1 (5) Ben Morley 13+1 (6 rides, inc 6 as a TR) Brandon Freemantle 0 (4) Ben Hopwood 5+1 (5) Mildenhall scorers: Lewis Blackbird 15 (5 rides, maximum) Mark Baseby 5+2 (4) Danny Halsey 2+1 (3) Joe Jacobs 6 (4) Jack Hargreaves 7+2 (4) Aaron Baseby 9+2 (5) Cameron Heeps 13+1 (6) Match Points: Mildenhall 3 Hackney 0 ENDS
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Post by Administrator on Jul 27, 2011 7:48:37 GMT
The Hackney team for Saturday’s Corbettsports.com National League Fours Championship at Stoke has been confirmed. Shane Hazelden and the injured Barrie Evans are unavailable, but the Hawks will till field British U-19 Bronze winner Ben Morley and the resurgent David Mason, together with Marc Owen and Ben Hopwood, who has picked up form again in recent weeks. The Hawks have been drawn in Group A alongside teams from the Isle of Wight, Mildenhall and Dudley, while Group B will consist of sides from Buxton, Belle Vue, Newport and hosts Stoke. Each group will be run over eight heats, with the top tw finishers then progressing on to the Grand Final which will be run over twelve races.
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Post by Administrator on Jul 31, 2011 6:55:03 GMT
Hawks Dip Out of Fours
National League Fours Championship (Stoke, Saturday July 30th 2011)
1st Dudley 2nd Belle Vue 3rd Stoke
The 2011 National League Fours Championship was never going to be an enjoyable experience for the Hackney Hawks. Already missing Barrie Evans through injury, they also had to face up to the late withdrawal of David Mason through a repeat of last season’s illness. With Shane Hazelden and Brandon Freemantle unable to respond due to major transport issues, the Hawks were forced to borrow Stoke’s Ben Read to augment their depleted squad.
Hackney duly finished bottom of their semi-final group, five points adrift of next team the Isle of Wight, with Mildenhall and Dudley sailing through to the grand final.
The Heathens proceeded to win the title, with former Rocket Adam Roynon leading the way with two victories in the final and dropping his only points of the night as a faller in an earlier race. He will be part of the Redcar team heading to Rye House for Premier League action this Saturday (August 6th).
Semi-Final A (8 races):
Mildenhall 22 (Jack Hargreaves 5, Cameron Heeps 5, Lewis Blackbird 5, Joe Jacobs 3) Dudley 16 (Richard Franklin 5, Jon Armstrong 4, Ashley Morris 4, Adam Roynon 3) Isle of Wight 11 (Paul Starke 6, Nick Simmons 1, Rob Smith 1, Danny Warwick 0) Hackney 6 (Ben Morley 2, Marc Owen 2, Ben Hopwood 1, Ben Reade 1)
Semi-Final B (8 races):
Belle Vue 18 (Adam McKinna 6, Byron Bekker 4, Jason Garrity 4, Karl Mason 4) Stoke 16 (Simon Lambert 6, Tony Atkin 4, Jaimie Pickard 3, Tim Webster 3) Buxton 11 (Adam Allott 3, Ben Taylor 3, Rob Branford 3, Luke Priest 2) Newport 3 (Jay Herne 2, Brendan Johnson 1, Steve Jones 0, Richard Andrews 0)
Grand Final (8 races):
Dudley 15 (Adam Roynon 6, Ashley Morris 4, Jon Armstrong 3, Richard Franklin 2) Belle Vue 12 (Byron Bekker 4, Adam McKinna 4, Jason Garrity 4, Karl Mason 0) Stoke 12 (Tony Atkin 4, Simon Lambert 3, Tim Webster 3, Jaimie Pickard 2) Mildenhall 9 (Cameron Heeps 3, Joe Jacobs 3, Jack Hargreaves 2, Lewis Blackbird 1)
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Post by Administrator on Aug 14, 2011 6:55:34 GMT
Saturday August 13th 2011. Hawks on the Road: Newport Away The Hackney Hawks head to Wales tomorrow (Sunday, August 14th) aiming to cement their play-off hopes against the Newport Hornets. The Hawks are currently in pole position in the National League table, although the pressure is on given the tightness of the standings; you can still perm any four from six teams – the Hawks, Potters, Heathens, Mildenhall, Belle Vue and the combined Scunthorpe-Sheffield outfit in the race to make the cut. Working in their favour, the Hornets have already proven vulnerable at home, having lost to Stoke and drawn against Dudley at Queensway Meadows. They were also stung 59-35 by the Hawks when the two sides met at Hoddesdon on July 2nd. Hackney will be back to full strength for the clash, with the new averages meaning a change in team order. Barrie Evans returns to the No.1 mantle, with Marc Owen dropping down to a reserve slot. The full side is: 1. Barrie Evans, 2. Ben Morley, 3. David Mason, 4. Shane Hazelden, 5. Ben Hopwood, 6. Brandon Freemantle, 7. Marc Owen. Following tomorrow’s action, Hackney face two remaining away fixtures – at Belle Vue on August 31st and Stoke on September 10th. Their remaining home matches – both at Rye House – are against Mildenhall on August 27th and – in what could yet prove the final settler for post-season play – against Scunthorpe-Sheffield on September 11th. That latter fixture will form part of a Sunday double header, with the National League action preceded by the Premier League match between the Silver Ski Rockets and Plymouth. There will be no additional charge for the double header, with standard Premier League prices applying.
Saturday, August 27th Hawks vs Mildenhall (National League) 7.00pm
Saturday, September 3rd National League Riders Championship 7.00pm ENDS
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Post by Administrator on Aug 14, 2011 16:46:09 GMT
Hawks Draw a Blank in Wales Newport 54 Hackney 39 (National League, Sunday August 14th 2011) It has been a frustrating weekend for the Hackney Hawks. On Saturday night, they were knocked off the top of the National League table by Stoke’s win over Dudley, while this afternoon has brought a further disappointing result at Newport. The Hornets led throughout, with the Hawks only briefly challenging for a match point. Ben Morley’s 6 point Tactical win in Heat 8 closed the deficit to 29-22, while a 5-1 from David Mason and Marc Owen in Heat 12 reduced the points spread to 7 for a second time, at 41-34. The hosts dominated the close-out however, driving home two maximums from the remaining three races to put a final stamp on the fixture. Joint Team Manager John Sampford was quick to identify the main factor in the result. “We weren’t helped when Barrie Evans had an engine blow up when he was leading Heat 5 (which led to a suspected back injury for Newport’s Brendan Johnson in the resulting pile-up), but on a warm and breezy day, the track was very dry and slick. It was all about getting to the first two corners, and the Hornets were simply much better gaters than we were. That’s where the match was won and lost; it’s as simple as that.” Hackney scorers: Barrie Evans 1+1 (4 rides) Ben Morley 13 (5 rides, inc 6 as a TR) David Mason 9 (5) Shane Hazelden 7 (4) Ben Hopwood 5 (4) Brandon Freemantle 0 (3) Marc Owen 4+1 (5) Newport scorers: Todd Kurtz 12+1 (5 rides) Tom Young 6+2 (4) Brendan Johnson 3 (2) Matt Bates 6+1 (4) Jay Herne 13+1 (5) Richard Andrews 6+2 (5) Jamie White-Williams 8+1 (5) Match Points: Newport 3 Hackney 0 ENDS
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Post by Administrator on Aug 21, 2011 9:24:26 GMT
Bring ‘Em On (1): Mildenhall (Saturday, August 27th 2011 @ 7pm) It’s win-or-bust time for the Hackney Hawks here at Rye House next Saturday (August 27th). Last Sunday’s disappointing result at Newport - coupled with successes elsewhere for rivals Stoke and Mildenhall - has pushed the Hawks down to third spot in the National League table. With the joint Scunthorpe-Sheffield side, Dudley and Belle Vue all chasing hard – and even King’s Lynn entering the mix following their win at Buxton – there is no margin for error if the Hawks are to progress to post-season play-off action. Next Saturday’s match brings them head-to-head against one of those key rivals - and also a team that has proven a real bugbear so far. The Mildenhall Fen Tigers have won all three matches between the sides this season, ousting the Hawks from the Knock-Out Cup by a 36 point aggregate margin and also biting them 57-35 in the first League match at West Row. Hackney will need to forget the past and focus only on the present and future when they face a Fen Tigers squad fronted by former Birmingham, Redcar and Stoke Premier Leaguer Jack Hargreaves, the fast-emerging Lewis Blackbird and 2010 National League Riders Finalist Mark Baseby, who will hopefully be back in action from last weekend’s grasstrack injury. They also can’t ignore five season Cobra/Raider Danny Halsey, 2010 British U-18 runner-up Joe Jacobs or 2010 British U-21 Finalist Aaron Baseby, who guested for Glasgow at Rye House only a week ago. One rider who will unfortunately be missing is Cameron Heeps who is being tipped by many as one of Speedway’s Next Big Things. The 15 year old from Perth - already a 5-time Western Australia U-16 Champion – suffered a broken wrist on the Isle of Wight on Tuesday. With the teenager rapidly rising from a reserve to the No.1 position with a remarkable 8.74 average, though, the Fen Tigers will have access to a guest replacement.
Forthcoming Fixtures at Rye House Saturday, August 27th Hawks vs Mildenhall (National League) 7.00pm Saturday, September 3rd National League Riders Championship 7.00pm Sunday, September 11th Hawks vs Scunthorpe-Sheffield (NL) ENDS
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Post by Administrator on Aug 26, 2011 6:24:02 GMT
NLRC Line-Up Confirmed The cream of the National League will do battle at Rye House next weekend for the biggest individual event on the calendar at that level.
Sixteen riders have qualified for the National League Riders' Championship, sponsored by Paradise Wildlife Park – the home of the Speedway Museum - at nearby Broxbourne, which takes place on Saturday, September 3 (7pm).
Home hopes rest with Barrie Evans, who rides for the Hackney Hawks. The former Waterden Road club have this season shared their home meetings between Hoddesdon and Arena-Essex, and 27 year old Evans brings with him plenty of experience…. plus a previous win in this event back in 2003.
The field also includes the likes of another former titlist in Jon Armstrong, British U-21 runner-up Steve Worrall and recently crowned British U-19 Champion Jason Garrity. Elsewhere, 15 year old sensation Cameron Heeps has qualified for the event just weeks after making his debut for Mildenhall in competitive racing, although he is currently nursing a broken wrist, while Simon Lambert will be aiming to go one better after a final race fall ended his chances of winning big last year.
National League co-ordinator Peter Morrish said: "This is always a hugely successful event and Rye House do a fantastic job in staging it for the National League.
"There are so many riders capable of winning the meeting and like the race for the league title itself it appears to be wide open."
The qualifiers are as follows, not in riding order:
Kyle Howarth, Jason Garrity (Belle Vue), Adam Allott, Rob Branford (Buxton), Jon Armstrong (Dudley), Barrie Evans (Hackney), Nick Simmons (Isle of Wight), Kyle Hughes, James Cockle (King's Lynn), Cameron Heeps (Mildenhall), Todd Kurtz, Jay Herne (Newport), Gary Irving, Steve Worrall (Scunthorpe / Sheffield), Simon Lambert, Tim Webster (Stoke). Reserves: Shane Hazelden and Ben Morley (both Hackney)
Admission is £16 adults, £14 concessions, Over 12s £5, Under 12s Free. Programme £2.
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Post by Administrator on Aug 28, 2011 7:09:41 GMT
Hawks Fall Again to Fenmen Hackney 42 Mildenhall 48 (at Rye House) (National League, Saturday August 20th 2011) The Hawks’ National League Play-Off hopes suffered a major body blow as they lost for a fourth consecutive time this season to arch-rivals Mildenhall. They now face the unenviable task of securing positive results against fellow play-off contenders Belle Vue, Stoke (both away) and Scunthorpe-Sheffield (home) in their three remaining fixtures in order to have a chance of finishing in the top four. Ben Morley led a virtually one man crusade for Hackney, with five race wins and 16 (paid 17) points. The 17 year old received his best support from David Mason – who added a couple of victories – and reserve Marc Owen, who tigered across seven rides for his 8 points. The Hawks were forced to operate Rider-Replacement for Ben Hopwood, whose season is over following a second half tumble at Sheffield on Thursday which has left him with a broken shoulder or upper arm. Successive maximums from the pairings of David Mason/Shane Hazelden and Ben Morley/Barrie Evans briefly gave Hackney a 6 point advantage at Heat 10, only for the pendulum to swing firmly the other way thanks to three straight 5-1s in the Fen Tigers’ own favour. A further 4-2 in Heat 14 clinched the visitors’ overall victory, at 46-38, although Morley denied them a maximum four match points by outpacing the Robert Branford in the final race, with David Mason taking third place for a 4-2. It was Branford’s only defeat of the night, as the Australian proved a fine guest for the injured Cameron Heeps. He received excellent back-up from the rest of visiting troops as well; in all, six different Fen Tigers won races, with all seven paid for at least a race win. They have certainly achieved bragging rights over the Hawks this season, with home and away Cup victories now followed up by victories in both League matches. Hackney Joint-Team Manager John Sampford admitted afterwards that “The better team won at the end of the day; they were far more consistent than we were and a better unit. Ben (Morley) was superb, but generally we weren’t up to doing the job tonight and we fell short of the mark. “Getting into the Play-Offs now is a big ask, but we’ll carry on until we are definitely out of the top four and can’t qualify. That’s all we can do. We’ve got three matches left, and we will go into all of them to win, as well as to restore our pride.” Hackney scorers: Barrie Evans 6+1 (4 rides) Ben Morley 16+1 (6) David Mason 8 (5) Shane Hazelden 4+1 (5) Ben Hopwood R/R Brandon Freemantle 0 (3) Marc Owen 8 (7) Mildenhall scorers: Rob Branford (guest) 12+2 (5 rides) Mark Baseby 7+1 (5) Joe Jacobs 5 (4) Lewis Blackbird 8 (4) Jack Hargreaves 6 (4) Daniel Halsey 4+2 (4) Aaron Baseby 6 (5) Match Points: Hackney 0 Mildenhall 3 Hargreaves Call-Up For NLRC Mildenhall captain Jack Hargreaves has been named as the Fen Tigers’ representative in next Saturday’s (September 3rd) National League Riders Championship at Rye House, replacing original qualifier Cameron Heeps, who remains sidelined with a broken wrist. Hargreaves has enjoyed a successful return to the track in 2011 following a two and a half year absence, with a near 8 point all-inclusive average to date.
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Post by Administrator on Aug 29, 2011 20:40:34 GMT
Hawks on the Road: Belle Vue The Hackney Hawks head out on the highway this Wednesday (August 31st) as they travel up to Manchester to face fellow play-off rivals the Belle Vue Colts. The Hawks triumphed 48-39 when the two sides met at Rye House at the end of April, although the visitors were left to rue the absence of British U-19 Champion Jason Garrity, who suffered no less than two van breakdowns en route to leave him stranded miles away from the action. Despite Saturday’s home reverse against Mildenhall, the Hawks remain 4th in the table while the Colts are currently 7th in the table, but with matches in hand of most of the teams above them. At the risk of over-using several well-worn clichés, it’s an absolute must-win situation for the Hawks, for whom every match from here on in is like a Cup Final. Hackney have the toughest possible run-in to the regular season, with Wednesday’s match followed on Saturday, September 10th, by the unenviable task of a trip to the top-of-the-table Stoke Potters – who obliterated highly ranked Dudley 64-27 on the road last Tuesday! The season is then climaxed by the following afternoon’s League finale, at home to the combined Scunthorpe-Sheffield team who are currently 3rd in the standings. That final match will form part of a double header, beginning at 2pm with the Silver Ski Rockets’ Premier League clash against Plymouth. There will be no additional admission charge for the National League match; standard Premier League prices apply. Forthcoming Fixtures at Rye House Saturday, September 3rd National League Riders Championship 7.00pm (sponsored by Paradise Wildlife Park) Sunday, September 11th Rockets vs Plymouth (Premier League) 2.00pm followed by Hawks vs Scunthorpe-Sheffield (NL) Sunday, September 18th Reserved; National League
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