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RAIDERS PROVE POINT AT MILDENHALL
Sunday August 28, 2016
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.â€
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
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