Sheffield Speedway Match Reports 2004

Key: * = Tactical ride for double points and    ! = Golden Double Tactical Substitute from a 15m handicap
Sheffield 'PIRTEK' Tigers v Berwick 'Elmbank' Bandits Premier League 1st July
Rider010203040506070809101112131415Tot+Bp
André Compton © 9.09 3 3 3 2' 3 14+1
Richard Hall 5.48 2' ef 3 ef 5+1
Ricky Ashworth 8.26 ef 2 2' 3 7+1
Andy Moore 7.67 2 1' 3 3 9+1
Simon Stead (g) 9.69 3 3 3 3 2' 14+1
Shane Colvin 5.36 1 0 0 0 1
Ben Wilson 4.36 3 1 1 0 5
5 4 2 4 3 3 3 4 5 3 3 3 5 3 5
Sheffield 'PIRTEK' Tigers 5 9 11 15 18 21 24 28 33 36 39 42 47 50 55
Berwick 'Elmbank' Bandits 1 3 7 9 12 14 17 19 20 23 26 31 32 37 38
1 2 4 2 3 2 3 2 1 3 3 5 1 5 1
Adam Pietraszko 9.00 1 3 2 1 1 8
Lee Smethills 5.41 r r - 1' 1+1
Josef Franc 7.18 1 1' 2 4* 8+1
Adrian Rymel 7.37 3 2 1' 4* 0 10+1
Claus Kristensen © 7.50 0 - - - 0
Simon Cartwright 4.48 r 2 2 1 1' 6+1
Ritchie Hawkins 4.30 2 2 x 0 ef 0 1' 5+1
Heat
times
01020304050607 0809101112131415
62.664.962.159.962.5 60.260.062.059.661.1 59.862.460.162.761.8

The Bandits proved easy prey for the Tigers on a night of supercharged action. André sped away to win heat 1 with Richard Hall picking off Lee Smethills on the first lap, and Adam Pietraszko on the last lap, both on the second bend. Simon Cartwright displayed his liking for the Owlerton track with a lighting start after which he extended a commanding lead from Ben Wilson with Shane Colvin in third. Simon's fence scraping line was his downfall though as he tumbled on the third bend of lap 3 and although he quickly remounted there was obviously damage to the bike and he was forced to retire. Shane Colvin chose the last lap to make an error on the second turn and U21 Champion Ritchie Hawkins had no hesitation in slicing past into second place on the third bend. Ricky and Andrew were very sluggish from the tapes in heat 3, and while Andy managed to pass Pepe around the third bend on the second lap poor Ricky spluttered to a stop on the first lap. Simon Stead powered into the lead of heat 4 and looked to be flying, which was confirmed by the incident recorder as he became the first man to beat the 1 minute barrier lowering Mark Loram's lap record to 59.9 seconds. Ritchie Hawkins trapped ahead of Ben Wilson who never looked like attempting a pass, while Claus Kristensen rode some peculiar lines while tailed off at the back. It was subsequently announced that Claus had aggravated an existing back injury and he took no further part in the meeting. Adam Pietaszko convincingly won heat 5 from a distant Ricky Ashworth while Andy Moore dived past Lee Smethills on the first lap and then tucked in behind Ricky. Tigers lead by 6 points.

André somehow got between wide riding Simon Cartwright and the back straight fence to win heat 6 but both Richard Hall and Ritchie Hawkins suffered engine problems. While Richard's proved terminal, Ritchie pottered around on a very sick sounding engine only for André to lap him when he was just yards short of the finish line. Simon Stead had another crack at the lap record in heat 7, this time equalling Mark Loram's old record, while Josef Franc survived a terrible fourth bend at the end of lap 3 and Shane Colvin was just too far adrift to capitalize on it. Ben Wilson couldn't get his machine started at the start of heat 8 and as the final seconds ticked away it was André who appeared on track with his bike running for Ben to climb onto. Simon Cartwright made another jet propelled start to lead from Richard Hall and despite his borrowed mount Ben was able to hold off Ritchie Hawkins at the back. Richard Hall, denied his favourite outside line, worked hard on the inside to get into contention before making a scintillating inside move on the first bend to claim a well deserved heat win. The Bandit's two reserves were both out in the next heat as well, although Ritchie didn't even make the first bend when his plug lead came adrift. Andy Moore made a cracking start off gate one and kept the throttle wound full in an obvious assault on Simon's 5 heat old lap record, even crossing the finish line crouched over the handlebars long-track style, and did it pay off with Mike Beck recording a sensational 59.6 seconds! It was open season on the record now and André was next to have a crack although his attempt was thwarted by a puncture on the last lap. Tigers now lead by 13 points.

Steady had another crack at it in heat 11 getting a personal best with 59.8 but Shane Colvin trailed home last. Ricky Ashworth denied Pepe a 6 point win in heat 12 but Simon Cartwright easily outpaced Ben Wilson at the back, and André and Steady raced full tilt with just inches between them for a 5-1 in heat 13. Adrian Rymel on a tactical ride trapped ahead in heat 14 and Ritchie Hawkins passed Shane on the second turn to give the Bandits a potential 7-2, but the fastest man around Owlerton had other ideas and eventually powered past him on the second bend on the last lap. André and Steady were nominated for heat 15 but it was 'Pet Rescue' who led and didn't look like being caught with the the Tigers tripping over themselves as they gave chase. André got closer and closer with each turn and a good run out of turn two on the last lap allowed him to make a determined dive into turn three which just got him ahead of Adam. Steady was so close on his heels that he too was able to follow past exiting the 4th turn and all three riders were sent around for a victory lap and a standing ovation from the appreciative crowd.

A superbly prepared track on which Mark Loram's old track record was equalled once and bettered three times, some great racing to boot, and a very impressive Owlerton debut from the 21 year old Adam Pietraszko who is sure to make a big impression all around the country. A disappointing display from Shane Colvin but lots of advice was flowing around the pits and his new motor is about to be breathed upon by Steve Langdon which will help. The visiting reserves were very experienced around Owlerton and all the Berwick lads know how to set their bikes up for big fast tracks so Shane was always on a hiding to nothing. Great to see Sean on the centre green minus his scaffolding. Couldn't hear a word he said over the p.a. but I understand he's due to start physiotherapy straight away.

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