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GOOD FRIDAY, GOOD RESULT
Friday March 29, 2013
Ipswich 46, Rye House 44. At first sight, it might seem that this season opening result, coupled with the blow-by-blow build-up to its final score, could only be described as last heat heartbreak for the Silver Ski Rockets. But that would only be part of the story.
Yes, the Rockets led this match into its final four laps only to be denied when Ben Barker and Leigh Lanham managed to keep out Anders Mellgren for the 5-1 that ultimately swung the meeting in the Witches’ direction.
And, yes, the Rockets had led in the early stages – with maximum race advantages from Allen and Bunyan over World Cup star Barker (Heat 1) and Mellgren and Jason Garrity over Morten Risager and Rohan Tungate (Heat 3) quickly lifting them to 12-6 – and had responded to the home side’s inevitable reply by sneaking back in front at 43-41 with a single heat to go.
And, yes, they were unlucky when both Jari Makinen and Cameron Heeps fell in what appeared to be separate incidents on the first two bends of Heat 8, but only Makinen was excluded. Heeps duly won the re-run as a potential 5-0 dissipated into a 3-3.
But then there are the real positives, not least that the Rockets had come so close to defying the odds in the first place. The sport’s annual media poll has brought a top three prediction for the Witches, with Rye ranked a lowly 11th out of 13 teams. What actually transpired here was a battling performance that netted the Rockets a vital away match point that gives them an excellent start in their quest to reach the League Cup semi-finals.
There were also three wins for new No.1 Olly Allen, whose Heat 13 success saw him take both Barker and Lanham from the back and was unlucky to suffer mechanical problems in Heat 15. Anders Mellgren blasted a double figure haul to top the Rye score-chart, while there were head-turning contributions from fiery teenagers Jason Garrity and Tyson Nelson, with the latter marking his return to British speedway after a year’s absence with an excellent 7.
Promoter Len Silver could only talk positively afterwards when enthusing about the display. “This was an outstanding performance by our side, with every single rider giving his all. On a day on which getting out of the gate was paramount, they were still managing to come from the back. The 5-1 from Olly (Allen) and Jason (Bunyan) over Ben Barker was perhaps the most outstanding race result, but I am proud of all of them.
“Almost all of the team rode above their averages – and that is with very little practice, away from home and against very tough opposition. It was a remarkable performance.â€
The Rockets will look to maintain their League Cup momentum when they entertain the Witches in Easter Monday’s return fixture at Hoddesdon. The action – which also includes a special second half programme of quad racing – begins at 2pm.
Rye House scorers:
Olly Allen 9 (5 rides) Jason Bunyan 7+1 (4) Anders Mellgren 10 (5) Jason Garrity 6+2 (4) Tyson Nelson 7 (4) Kasper Lykke 3+1 (4) Simon Lambert 2+1 (4)
Ipswich scorers:
Ben Barker 12 (5 rides) Jari Makinen 0 (3) Rohan Tungate 7 (4) Morten Risager 5+1 (4) Leigh Lanham 9+2 (5) Adam Ellis 3 (3) Cameron Heeps 10+2 (6)
Match Points: Ipswich 2 Rye House 1
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