Diamonds battle to amazing victory

Jun 23 2008 by jl newsdesk1, The Journal

Newcastle Diamonds50

King’s Lynn Stars42

THE King’s Lynn Stars arrived at a blustery Newcastle Stadium last night as pre-meeting favourites to take the Premier League points. But Newcastle Diamonds answered the call from team manager George English to ‘up the ante’ and pulled off a superb victory.

Following a massive heat one 1-5 from Kevin Doolan and Shaun Tacey over Josef Franc and Sean Stoddart, who trailed in their wake, the visitors’ challenge was well and truly laid down.

The Newcastle reserves of Jerran Hart and stand-in guest for the night Jesper Kristiansen hauled the match back to level pegging in heat two, hammering home a 5-1 of their own with ease over John Oliver and the Stars’ reserve guest Adam McKinna.

Newcastle’s good form continued in heat three as George Stancl powered round the outside of one of the Premier League’s best, Tomas Topinka, to lead well with Jason King – the Diamonds’ in-form rider of the moment – taking an excellent second place to put the home side into the lead at 11-7.

Tacey took advantage of an off night for young Stoddart to win heat eight and with Oliver seeing off Kristiansen the gap was reduced to six with the score progressing to 27-21 before a 5-1 to Stancl and King in heat nine put Newcastle 10 up – a differential maintained after heat 10.

Stancl continued his excellent return to fitness by easing out of a tight second bend round the speedy Topinka to take a good heat 12 win taking the score to 41-33.

Heat 13 was tight from gate to flag with Franc, Henry and Doolan never more than a few feet apart – Doolan squeezing out the three points over Newcastle in a shared heat.

A massive lead built up by King on the opening lap of heat 14 leading up to a win took Newcastle’s score beyond the reach of the Stars with the 3-3 putting the Diamonds in an unassailable advantage,47-39.

Newcastle team manager George English said: “Our riders were under no illusions going into this very tough meeting tonight and they were all told they had to up the ante dramatically or face the consequences.

“I’m delighted to say they took it all on board and overwhelmed King’s Lynn’s efforts admirably in their solid and determined win. If we continue to ride in this manner then we should start to rise up a few league places in the very near future.”

Meanwhile, Berwick’s Premier League fixture at Shielfield park on Saturday against the Redcar Bears fell victim to torrential rain with the referee calling off the event 45 minutes before the scheduled start time.

NEWCASTLE DIAMONDS: Josef Franc 11, Sean Stoddart 2, George Stancl 9, Jason King 11+3, Christian Henry 8+1, Jerran Hart 6, Jesper Kristiansen 3+1.

KING’S LYNN STARS: Kevin Doolan 15, Shaun Tacey 3, Tomas Topinka 7, Simon Lambert 1+1, Rusty Harrison 4+1, John Oliver 8+2, Adam McKinna 0.