Rye House Rockets 49 Berwick Bandits 43
BERWICK Bandits wrapped up their away Premier League commitments for the 2011 season with defeat at the Rye House Rockets yesterday.
The Northumbrians normally struggle at this venue, but in the opening five races, there were two race wins for Berwick guest number one David Howe, in for injured Sebastian Alden, and one for Josef Franc in the third as the match remained tied at 15-15, the fifth race also seeing Alex Edberg in his ninth race in three days back from injury hold a brilliant third place over Ben Morley to record a Berwick 2-4.
Franc took a second win in heat seven, jetting from the grid and blasting away to lead the field by a sizeable margin, while behind in third Linus Eklof put in stacks of effort to get on terms with third placed James Brundle, but could make the pass in the 3-3 with the score now at 19-17.
Ritchie Hawkins and Tyson Nelson made a startling gate over Edberg and Jade Mudgway in the eighth race, and nothing either could do, could stem the home maximum 5-1 as the Rockets moved ahead to 27-21.
With Nelson out in front in heat nine, Berwick skipper Lee Complin tucked into second, but had to defend his two points all race as behind Steve Boxall battled hard, but to no avail in the home 4-2 putting the Rockets ahead by eight.
Another 4-2 in the 10th made the difference 10 allowing the Bandits to use a tactical ride in the 11th, and the onus fell on guest Howe who got balked on bend one by the faster gating Brundle allowing Jordan Frampton through to take the lead, but Howe eased round Brundle at the end of lap one then put Frampton under pressure in the 4-4 thanks to his doubled four points.
Howe took heat 13, taking revenge over Frampton in another share with the gap at 10, but with Franc taking two more excellent wins in the last two races of the night, the last in heat 15 a joint effort with Howe as a Bandits took a fine maximum 1-5 ending the match at 49-43, giving the Bandits one league point as deserved reward in one of their best shows at Hoddesdon in years.
SCORERS
Rye House Rockets: Chris Neath 10+1, Ritchie Hawkins 8+1, Luke Bowen – Rider replacement, Steve Boxall 7, Jordan Frampton 10, James Brundle 4+2, Tyson Nelson 9+2, Ben Morley 1+1.
Berwick Bandits: David Howe 15+1, Alex Edberg 2, Linus Eklof 5, Josef Franc 12, Lee Complin (Captain) 6, Mitch Davey 0, Jade Mudgway 3+1.
