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Post by Administrator on Nov 30, 2011 16:17:47 GMT
Sarjeant Lands in Raider Country 2011 Stoke Potter Jamie Sarjeant has agreed a spot with the Rye House Raiders as the Hoddesdon outfit has named three of its planned team for next season’s National League – with the top five places close to completion. Sarjeant – 18 earlier this month - averaged out at 7.72 (all-inclusive) for Stoke this year – a massive 3 point jump on his 2010 campaign - although his CMA (excluding bonus points) heading into Hertfordshire will be a handy 6.47. He raised plenty of additional eyebrows by placing 4th in the British U-19 Championship behind meeting winner and new Rockets recruit Jason Garrity, a result that helped leverage his Raiders opportunity. The teenager was previously 2nd in both the 2007 (to Daniel Greenwood in a run-off) and 2008 (to Garrity) British U-15 series. He was born and still lives in Sheffield, and is on a full contract to Coventry. The Bees have been prime movers in ensuring that he has become a Raider with a possible view to moving upward into the Silver Ski Rockets team should he maintain his current rate of progress. The Raiders have also confirmed returns for David Mason and Ben Morley. 2001 League Riders Champion Mason will captain the side having just skippered Hoddesdon tenants Hackney, putting two points on his average in the process in his battle back from illness and also playing an important all-round role in the pits. He will start the new campaign in the Raiders’ No.1 race jacket. 17 year old Morley, meanwhile, finished 2011 with an all-inclusive 7.56 record has set him up as second heat leader. He placed third in the British U-19 Championship and was also given a senior run with the Rockets. Elsewhere, the Raiders have offered contracts to two further riders who would complete their top five, subject to final ratification by the BSPA, and plan to fill their two reserve positions with the best of Rye’s Training School pupils.
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Post by mrsgustix on Nov 30, 2011 16:23:23 GMT
I wonder if there could be a 2012 return for Lee Strudwick, although I have an idea he may now be driving bangers and is actually listed for this Sunday's (December 4 2011) stock car meeting at Wimbledon Stadium.
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Post by Administrator on Nov 30, 2011 23:59:23 GMT
Looking at the Rye House Raiders 2012 squad so far as I can se there's no mention of Barrie Evans.
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Post by Administrator on Dec 7, 2011 10:45:12 GMT
Raiders Complete Top Five The newly re-born Rye House Raiders have agreed terms with Shane Hazelden and Lee Strudwick to their side to round out their top five starters for the 2012 National League campaign. 18 year old Hazelden enjoyed a tremendous surge from reserve to the No.1 position this year as a Hackney Hawk, before eventually settling on an all-inclusive 6.79 average that gives him plenty of scope for further development next season. Equally positively, he also reached the British U-21 Final and finished second in the British U-19 Championship behind newly signed Silver Ski Rocket Jason Garrity. 23 year old Strudwick, meanwhile, sat out the 2011 programme but is now set to return for what will be his fourth season at Hoddesdon. He was a British U-21 Finalist in 2008 and an U-21 international in 2009. His inclusion in the Raiders team is dependent on him shaking off the cobwebs during winter practice sessions, but all the evidence is that he is determined to make up for lost time. Hazelden and Strudwick join captain David Mason, Ben Morley and new signing James Sarjeant in the Raiders team. The remaining – reserve – slots will be taken up by two successful graduates from the Rye House Saturday Training School. 18 year old Nick Lee is currently favourite for one of those spots. Although currently sidelined with a broken wrist, he is expected to be fully fit by January, comfortably ahead of the new season.
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Post by Administrator on Jan 1, 2012 16:35:11 GMT
Happy New Year: The Countdown to the 2012 Season is Definitely On Rye House Speedway would like to send its best wishes to all Raiders supporters for a happy and prosperous New Year.
The re-born Rye House Raiders are close to completion, with former League Riders Champion David Mason, British U-19 silver medallist Shane Hazelden and bronze winner Ben Morley retained from last season’s Hackney Hawks to head the squad’s National League assault. 18 year old James Sarjeant – 4th in the U-19 event – has joined from Stoke, while Lee Strudwick is ending a year away from the sport to complete the top five. The two reserve slots will be filled from the Rye House Saturday Training School, with 28 year old Nick Lee already hotly favoured for one of the spots. Rye House can also confirm its admission charges for the new campaign, and it’s positive news in that regard. First off, Rockets’ normal fixtures will see no pricing change from 2011, with Adults remaining at £16, Seniors at £14, Children (12-16) at £5 and Children U-12 FREE. The match programme will be £2. The Raiders’ standard National League fixtures, meanwhile, will see a REDUCTION from 2011 Hackney prices for all Adults at £10, Children (12-16) remaining at £5 and Children U-12 again FREE. The race card will be £1. The final piece of good news is that double header (Premier League/National League) events will be priced as per Premier League level matches, ie there will be no additional admission charge for the Raiders element, with only an increase in the match programme to £3 being implemented to help offset the additional costs of staging these meetings.
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Post by Administrator on Feb 21, 2012 19:40:26 GMT
Raiders Ready For Re-Birth The Rye House Raiders are setting their targets following the publication of the full National League fixture list today. It will be a re-born side that takes to the track, as the Raiders were originally Rye House’s National League team from 2002 to 2007, before the side took on the moniker “Cobras” for the period 2008-2010, and then the “Hackney Hawks” in a shared venture with Lakeside last season. The Raiders will be competing in an eight strong competition, with the top four teams progressing to the Championship Play-Offs. They will also be involved in the Knock-Out Cup, the Four Team Championship (at Stoke) and the Pairs event (at Mildenhall), while Hoddesdon itself will stage the annual National League Riders Championship on Saturday, September 15th. The team will begin the campaign with the home leg of a Knock-Out Cup clash against the Isle of Wight on Good Friday, April 6th at 7pm. That match will bring the Raiders head to head with an Islanders side built around the experienced Nick Simmons and “The Dreaded One” Danny Warwick, but which also features two year Cobra Rob Smith, former Rocket Paul Starke and ex-Cobra/Hawk Marc Owen. The Islanders will be followed into town by the Stoke Potters - who topped the final 2011 League table - on Easter Monday. That match will follow the Premier League Cup fixture between the Silver Ski Rockets and Leicester, which starts at 2pm. USA Future arrive for an international challenge fixture on Saturday, April 4th, while other notable Hoddesdon opponents include Dudley (May 5th), local rivals King’s Lynn (May 19th) and Mildenhall (June 4th), and defending Champions Scunthorpe (June 14th). The full fixture list is as follows: Home Fixtures Friday, April 6th @ 7pm, Raiders vs Isle of White (Knock-Out Cup) Monday, April 9th, Raiders vs Stoke (NL, follows Rockets vs Leicester @ 2pm) Saturday, April 14th @ 7pm, Raiders vs USA Future (International Challenge) Saturday, May 5th @ 7pm, Raiders vs Dudley (National League) Monday, May 7th, Raiders vs Buxton (NL, follows Rockets vs Somerset @ 2pm) Saturday, May 19th @ 7pm, Raiders vs King’s Lynn (National League) Saturday, June 2nd @ 7pm, Open Date Monday, June 4th, Raiders vs Mildenhall (NL, follows Rockets vs Ipswich @ 2pm) Saturday, July 14th, Raiders vs Scunthorpe (NL, follows Rockets vs Scunthorpe @ 7pm) Monday, August 27th, Open Date (follows Rockets vs Leicester @ 2pm) Saturday, September 1st @ 7pm, Raiders vs Isle of Wight (National League) Saturday, September 15th @ 7pm, National League Riders Championship Away Fixtures Tuesday, May 1st, Raiders at Isle of Wight (Knock-Out Cup) Sunday, May 27th, Raiders at Mildenhall (National League) Sunday, June 10th, National League Four Team Championship (Stoke) Tuesday, June 19th, Raiders at Isle of Wight (National League) Sunday, July 15th, Raiders at Buxton (National League) Sunday, July 22nd, National League Pairs Championship (Mildenhall) Saturday, August 4th, Raiders at Stoke (National League) Wednesday, August 22nd, Raiders at King’s Lynn (National League) Tuesday, August 28th, Raiders at Dudley (National League) Friday, September 7th, Raiders at Scunthorpe (NL, follows Rockets at Scunthorpe )
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Post by Administrator on Feb 21, 2012 22:49:20 GMT
This site will be carrying full details of the National League side Rye House Raiders from the start of the 2012 season.
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Post by Administrator on Mar 6, 2012 10:09:42 GMT
Strudwick No-Go Blow to Raiders The National League Rye House Raiders have been dealt a late blow with the withdrawal of Lee Strudwick from their planned starting line-up. Strudwick, who was set to return to speedway after a year’s hiatus, has been forced to pull out after being made redundant at work, which leaves him unable to subsidise his motor sport activity. It leaves the Raiders facing an un-planned re-jig to their line-up, with only four main body riders – David Mason, Ben Morley, James Sarjeant and Shane Hazelden – currently in place. Promoter Len Silver and team manager John Sampford are aiming to fill the remaining three team spots from this winter’s Rye House Training School pupils, and are hoping to confirm names following this week’s three practice days at the Hoddesdon circuit, which include the official press event on Friday (11am). The Raiders had originally targeted two, rather than three spots, from their Training Schools, but as Silver emphasises, “We looked at the available pool of riders available in the market to plug Lee’s sudden absence, but they just did not tie in with our objectives with the Raiders, so we are aiming to turn to one of our own.” The Raiders will have time to gel as a new-look septet, with their opening fixture not scheduled until Good Friday (April 6th @ 7pm), when they entertain the Isle of Wight in the first leg of a Knock-Out Cup tie.
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Post by Administrator on Mar 11, 2012 15:51:07 GMT
Raiders Wrap Up Roster The Rye House Raiders have moved quickly to complete their starting side for the new 2012 campaign in the wake of Lee Strudwick’s enforced withdrawal. Luke Chessell, Nick Lee and Tom Braddock are the three riders named to join David Mason, Ben Morley, Shane Hazelden and James Sarjeant in the Raiders’ septet…. and all three have been attendees of the Rye House Training Schools. Swindon-born Chessell is the son of former rider Mark Chessell and the nephew of both Gary and Martin Chessell. He is very much on the rebound from a 2011campaign that was split between Dudley and the Isle of Wight but marred by his slow recovery from a previously broken hand and then a fractured coccyx and sternum suffered when riding for the Islanders.
The 22 year old was previously with Scunthorpe and Weymouth, but is already remembered by Rye House fans for his “one night stand” for the short-handed Cobras at Buxton in June 2010. Chessell famously bagged the team’s only two race wins of the match, including a Heat 11 success against both Rob Branford and then-National League Riders Champion Craig Cook! 29 year old Lee, meanwhile, first rode at Reading’s training track in 1999, making National League level appearances for the Swindon Sprockets in 2002 and 2003. He put his racing career on hold for the next six seasons, but was still involved in the sport as a mechanic for both Ritchie Hawkins and 2005 World U-21 runner-up Tomas Suchanek, before returning to the shale in 2010 with Weymouth. The Raiders’ roster is completed by newcomer Tom Braddock, who hails from Bungay in Suffolk. Braddock has only recently transitioned to speedway from enduro racing. He has attended each and every training school at Rye House, showing rapid and continuous improvement on a week-by-week basis.
He will now get the opportunity to maintain that development in a competitive environment, starting with the Raiders’ opening fixture on Good Friday (April 6th @ 7pm), when they entertain the Isle of Wight in the first leg of a Knock-Out Cup tie.
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Post by Administrator on Apr 1, 2012 7:11:45 GMT
PLEASE ALSO SEE RYE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE RE EASTER MONDAY. EDITED RELEASE FOR RYE HOUSE RAIDERS:: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Bring ‘Em On (2): Leicester and Stoke (Easter Monday Double Header @ 2pm)
Easter Monday (April 9th) brings double header action to Rye House, with a 2pm. The Silver Ski Rockets will be first to take centre stage as they tackle Leicester in the League Cup.
Fifteen heats of League Cup action will be followed by fifteen more in what will be the Raiders’ opening National League match of the season. The opposition will be provided by Stoke, who finished top of the table during 2011’s regular season only to exit the championship run-in at the play-off stage.
Former motocrosser Ashley Birks has taken over the Potters’ No.1 mantle after helping the Scunthorpe-Sheffield conglomerate to last season’s National League crown. He still retains a link with Lincolnshire in a doubling-up role with the Scorpions, and which unfortunately precludes his involvement in the meeting, with guest options therefore available to the Potters.
Team-mate and fellow 2010 Saint-Prowler Ritchie Worrall is actually a three club rider this season, having also inked for Newcastle (PL) and Lakeside (EL). The 20 year old finished 7th in last term’s NLRC after suffering a decisive fourth race exclusion, but will be out to make amends as one of the seeded riders in the imminent British U-21 Final.
Also new in town is former Newcastle man Adam McKinna, who has arrived from the hibernating Belle Vue Colts.
Elsewhere, veteran Tony Atkin has returned for what is the 46 year old’s 8th season at Loomer Road. Atkin is a former World Long-Track Finalist and Teford Indoor Ice winner, plus a 3-time British 350cc Grasstrack champion.
There are also places for second year Potters Ben Reade and Jaimie Pickard, who finished 10th in last season’s British U-21 Final.
There will be no additional admission charge for the Raiders fixture, with prices as per standard Premier League fixtures, ie Adults at £16, Seniors at £14, Children (12-16) at £5 and Children U-12 FREE. The only increase will be to for the match programme, which will be £3 to help offset the additional costs of staging these double header meetings, and also covers Good Friday’s fixture.
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Post by Administrator on Apr 7, 2012 6:59:38 GMT
Hazelden Max Sparks Raiders to Opening Victory Rye House 49 Isle of Wight 46 (National League Knock-Out Cup, Friday April 6th 2012) Shane Hazelden’s first ever full house inspired the newly re-born Raiders to a narrow but emotional first leg win over the Islanders in a match that was an excellent advertisement for speedway at any level. The 18 year old combined with fellow teenager Ben Morley for the last ditch 5-1 that swung the fixture back in favour of the Raiders after the visitors had overcome a 12 point deficit at Heat 10. In fairness, it was the very least that Rye deserved as a series of falls – and an Islanders 8-1 in Heat 11 – prevented the establishment of a healthier lead to take to Rye on May 1st. The first to suffer were James Sarjeant and Tom Braddock, who both hit the deck in that Tactical heat – Sarjeant when holding a comfortable second spot – while captain David Mason fell after a catching a rut when chasing down Tim Webster for second place in Heat 13. The last to feel the pain were Braddock and Luke Chessell in the penultimate race. Braddock tumbled not once but twice, the first when holding second place behind partner Chessell, while the latter suffered the same fate while leading the re-run. The resulting Islanders 5-1 gave the visitors the progressive advantage for the only time in the match at 45-44, before Hazelden and Morley played the Raiders’ “Get Out of Jail” card in the finale. It proved a hard-worked maximum for Hazelden - who was brought down twice during the evening - but received excellent back-up from Morley and Mason who each dropped points in a single heat. New arrival Sarjeant missed out on an opening race win by a bike length in Heat 4, but made amends with two later successes. In all, the Raiders’ “Big Four” were responsible for 43 of their match points, but their three lesser lights also chipped in what proved to be critical points, with Chessell unlucky not to win Heat 14 and Braddock showing plenty of fire and promise in his National League level debut. To round things out, Nick Lee added a fine third place ahead of former Rye man Gary Cottham in Heat 4. The National League was originally created to develop new British talent, and the Raiders are determined to follow this directive with their bottom end. The final word, though, has to belong to a delighted Shane Hazelden. “I’ve come close to a maximum before, but to finally get it is an absolutely amazing feeling. I’ve invested as much as I could in my equipment, and I’ve trained hard during the winter, and it’s paid off tonight with the perfect start to my season. “This is my third year in the National League, and I really want to push forward to the next level. I’m riding well, I’m gating well, and I’m determined to prove that the Premier League is not far away. “It also meant so much that my Heat 15 victory helped ensure victory for the team. This is our first time together, but already everyone was working together and helping each other out. It’s already less about individuals than winning or losing as a team.” Rye House scorers: David Mason 8+1 (4 rides) Shane Hazelden 12+3 (5 rides, maximum) Ben Morley 14 (5) Luke Chessell 3+1 (4) James Sarjeant 9 (4) Tom Braddock 2 (4) Nick Lee 1+1 (4) Isle of Wight scorers: Tim Webster (guest) 10+1 (4 rides, inc 6 as a TR) Marc Owen 9+1 (5 rides, inc 4 as a TR) Danny Warwick 5+1 (4) Paul Starke 6 (4) Ben Hopwood 7+1 (5) Danny Stoneman 3+1 (4) Gary Cottham 6+2 (4)
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Post by Administrator on Apr 7, 2012 22:34:28 GMT
British U-21 Semi-Final: Postponed Rye House Raiders Shane Hazelden and James Sarjeant will have to wait another seven days in their bid to reach the British U-21 Final. Today’s (Saturday’s) Semi-Final round at Stoke was called off early in the day following heavy overnight rain and will now be re-staged next Saturday, April 14th. The new date for the event means that both Hazelden and Sarjeant will miss that night’s international challenge at Rye House between the Raiders and USA Future, although promoter Len Silver and team manager John Sampford are already working on cover options.
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Post by Administrator on Apr 8, 2012 12:08:20 GMT
Easter Monday Double Header at Rye House POSTPONED
With heavy rain forecast for tomorrow (Easter Monday, April 9th), the early decision has been taken to call off the planned National League match between Raiders and Stoke. A new date is yet to be agreed for the National League match against the Potters.
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Post by Administrator on Apr 9, 2012 18:23:41 GMT
Bring ‘Em On: USA Future (International Challenge; Saturday, April 14th @ 7pm) Easter Monday’s double header postponement means that the next action at Rye House will be this Saturday (April 14th @ 7pm), when the Raiders take on the USA Future Team in an international challenge match. Missing both Good Friday’s maximum man Shane Hazelden and James Sarjeant, who will be competing in the re-schedule British U-21 Semi-Final at Stoke the same evening, the Raiders have called on Silver Ski Rockets Ritchie Hawkins and Jason Garrity to fill their joint absence. Both senior riders wish to use the match to test equipment. Who will they face in opposition? USA Future is a young side – and a central part of a focused long-term programme to develop the next wave of American international rider. The bulk of the squad will follow up its four match British tour by heading to the Ukraine for the U-21 World Cup. Three of the Young Eagles have visited Hertfordshire before. 20 year old New Yorker Mike Buman was part of last April’s tour party, top-scoring for the side with paid 17 at Dudley . He went on to represent his country in both the U-21 Championship and World Cup. Dylan Black was also a visitor twelve months ago. He has since achieved two support main wins at Costa Mesa as a sign that his exciting “on the edge” riding style is becoming much more settled. “The G Man” Gino Manzares goes further back, riding the Hoddesdon circuit in April 2010 as a then-16 year old – just months after launching his 500cc career – as the Cobras edged the Dream Team in a 47-46 thriller. Previously the 2006 Victorville Junior Track Champion, he has since progressed to place third in the 2010 National U-21 event and finished in the same podium position just over a month ago at Sam Bernadino’s Gumball Rally. 20 year old Bryce Starks, meanwhile, has returned to Britain for his first full tour since October 2010. The AMA National U-21 Champion in 2009 and 2010, he finished third in the 2011 event at Auburn , also representing the U-21 team in the World Cup and – like Buman – coming close to making the cut in his Individual qualifier. The fourth 20 year old on show is Russell “The Rocket” Green, who debuted on tour in last October’s party. The runner-up in 2011’s National U-21 championship, he also captured Victorville’s Best Pairs title with “Fast” Eddie Castro and had a handicap main win at Auburn in May. 18 year old Brad Pappalardo is the nephew of World Champion Greg Hancock. He won the National U-16 Championship in 2008 and the Handicap Main Event at Costa Mesa 's 40th Anniversary Meeting in 2009. He also co-promotes Speedway at Perris Raceway with his mother Carrie Hancock. Finally, Californian Aaron Fox (23) is one of the fast rising former Moto-Cross riders in the States, making rapid strides since he switched to the shale less than two years ago. He achieved a famous double in July 2011 - winning both Handicap and Scratch Main Events on the same night at San Bernardino . That performance followed an equally remarkable achievement last March when he defeated eventual World Champion Greg Hancock to win the Handicap Main Event at the Gumball Rally at the same track! Admission price for Saturday’s match will be Adults £12, Seniors £10, Teens £5, U-12s FREE.
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Post by Administrator on Apr 14, 2012 23:02:29 GMT
Raiders Deliver Future Shock Rye House 58 USA Future 28 (abandoned prior to completion of Heat 15 – result stands) (International Challenge, Saturday April 14th 2012) The Raiders encountered few difficulties in seeing off a game but outmatched American touring party at Rye House on Saturday night. All of the side scored freely, with regular Silver Ski Rockets Ritchie Hawkins and Jason Garrity – subbing for the absent James Sarjeant and Shane Hazelden – both securing effortless maximums, while Ben Morley dropped his only points in a last race tumble and captain David Mason was beaten just once. To their credit, the American’s commitment never wavered, with Gino Manzares the pick of their bunch with a consistently solid display. Aaron Fox also stood out by achieving the visitors’ two race wins, although – rather strangely - his Heat 2 and 14 successes were separated by four scoreless rides. In aggregate, however, the Raiders delivered six 5-1s amongst ten heat advantages, while denying the Future a race advantage of their own, which tells much of the story. The one black mark to the night came when Ben Morley’s machine threw its primary chain in Heat 15, causing the race leader to stop dramatically and fall at the exit to the fourth bend. Californian Dylan Black, who was following immediately behind, was unable to take evasive action and ploughed straight into Morley’s machine. The American was temporarily knocked unconscious in the resulting tumble, necessitating an ambulance ride to hospital as a precautionary measure. With an anticipated delay of thirty minutes to allow for a replacement vehicle, and the overall result already decisive, the meeting was abandoned prior to the re-run. As Rye House team manager John Samford said afterwards, “Admittedly, we will face tougher tests, but this was still an important confidence booster ahead of our forthcoming matches at the Isle of Wight (May 1st) and here against Dudley (May 5th). “It was also a positive meeting for Jason (Garrity), who had a few problems in the pits before the start but came through OK, and Ritchie (Hawkins), who was trying out a new engine which also worked out fine. “We obviously wish Dylan Black a speedy recovery. The news on Ben (Morley) is that he took a whack to his ribs and he’ll be bruised and sore in the morning, but, that aside, he should be alright.” Rye House scorers: Ritchie Hawkins 11+1 (4 rides, maximum) David Mason 8+2 (4) Ben Morley 12 (5) Luke Chessell 5+2 (4) Jason Garrity 12 (4 rides, maximum) Tom Braddock 5+2 (4) Nick Lee 5+1 (4) USA Future scorers: Mikey Buman 3+1 (4 rides) Dylan Black 4 (4) Bryce Starks 0 (2) Russell Green 4 (4) Gino Manzares 9 (4 rides, inc 4 as a TR) Brad Pappalardo 2+1 (4) Aaron Fox 6 (6) Additional note: The Raiders’ home National League fixture vs King’s Lynn – which has been moved in order to accommodate the Rockets-Leicester League Cup clash on May 19th – will now take place on Saturday, June 2nd. Sarjeant Joins Garrity and Morley in British U-21 Final There will be three Rye House representative’s in this year’s British U-21 Final, being staged by Dudley at Monmore Green on Tuesday, April 24th. Jason Garrity and Ben Morley have been seeded straight to the Big Night, where they will be joined by James Sarjeant, who successfully came through tonight’s (Saturday, April 14th) Semi-Final at Stoke. An early series of falls and re-runs, plus an unfortunate delay due to an injury to Buxton’s Richard Andrews, meant that the meeting had to be abandoned at Heat 12 due to curfew constraints. By then, Sarjeant had amassed three consecutive second places to take the sixth and final qualification spot on offer. It proved a less satisfactory experience, however, for fellow Raider Shane Hazelden, whose night opened with a fourth bend tumble and also took in a first bend pile-up in Heat 11. His two points left him adrift of the cut in 11th place. Scorers (each from 3 rides): Tom Perry 9, Joe Jacobs 9, Marc Owen 9, Adam Wrathall 7, Stefan Nielsen 6, James Sarjeant 6 (all qualify), Ben Hopwood 5, Richard Franklin 4, Ben Reade 3, Brendan Johnson 3, Shane Hazelden 2, Tom Young 2, Tom Stokes 1, Oliver Greenwood (reserve) 1, Jake Knight 0, Darryl Ritchings 0, Richard Andrews 0, Michael Neale (reserve) 0.
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