Sheffield Speedway Match Reports 2004

Key: * = Tactical ride for double points and    ! = Golden Double Tactical Substitute from a 15m handicap
Sheffield 'PIRTEK' Tigers v IOW 'Wightlink' Islanders Premier League 16th September
Rider010203040506070809101112131415Tot+Bp
George Stancl (g) 9.69 2 3 1 1 7
Andrew Moore r/r 7.30 - - - - (5+1)
Richard Hall 5.50 f 1' 1' 1 2' 5+3
Ricky Ashworth 8.35 2 2 3 3 3 ef 13
André Compton © 8.79 2 3 3 3 3 14
James Birkinshaw 5.12 2' 1 ns 1 1 5+1
Ben Wilson 4.47 3 ef 2' 3 3 11+1
2 5 3 2 3 5 4 3 4 4 4 5 4 4 3
Sheffield 'PIRTEK' Tigers (35) 2 7 10 12 15 20 24 27 31 35 39 44 48 52 55 90
IOW Islanders (57) 4 5 8 12 15 16 18 21 23 25 29 30 32 36 39 96
4 1 3 4 3 1 2 3 2 2 4 1 2 4 3
Craig Boyce 9.42 3 3 3 4* 2 2 17
Joel Parsons (g) 6.41 1 0 2 0 3
Ray Morton 6.71 r 1 0 0 r 1
Jason Bunyan 7.26 3 2 2 2 4* 1' 14+1
Seb Tresarieu r/r 7.76 - - - - (6)
Glen Phillips 6.05 1 0 0 1 2
Krister Marsh 6.05 0 1 1' ef 0 2+1
Heat
times
01020304050607 0809101112131415
61.462.060.960.762.4 62.459.861.960.861.0 61.462.560.662.161.5

The Islanders were without both Sebastian Tresarieu and Ulrich Ostergaard and rider replacement produced 6 points for the one, and their guest just 3 for the other. Add to that an 'off night' for Ray Morton and you can see why the Islanders spirited start to the meeting seemed to just fizzle out. Richard Hall fell in heat 1 while trying desperately to make up ground, but the Islander's lead was quickly reversed in heat 2 with Ben Wilson looking particularly sharp. After a slow start in heat 3 Ricky Ashworth breezed past the backmarkers but Jason Bunyan was flying around the outside and proved uncatchable. Craig Boyce won heat 4 from the tapes and with Ben Wilson shedding a chain the Islanders were back on level pegging. Ricky made a lightning start in heat 5 and looked to have the win sewn up until Boycie snatched it from him right on the line after a final bend swoop.

Ben Wilson passed Ray Morton on the outside(!) of the 3rd bend, lap 2 in heat 6 to follow George Stancl home. Nice one Ben! James Birkinshaw passed Ray Morton too in the next heat, this time on the pits bend on lap 1 and with André taking the win our lead was extended to 6 points. James was nominated for heat 8 but failed to beat the 2 mins time allowance leaving Ben to take an easy win. Ricky shot away to win heat 9 from the ever trying Jason Bunyan, and repeated it in heat 10 and the Tigers lead was now stretched to 10 points.

Boycie (on a tactical ride) left André trailing from the tapes but underestimated André's passing ability and was visibly surprised when André shot under him into the 1st turn on the second lap. Heat 12 is a weak chink normally for the Tigers, but not tonight as Ben powers into a comfortable lead and is joined by Richard Hall to extend the lead to 14 points. André repeats the lesson in passing to Boycie in heat 13, and even better Ricky makes a rare overtaking maneouvre to demote Jason Bunyan who was on a tactical in heat 14. Ricky unfortunately suffers engine problems in heat 15 which André won from Boycie yet again. In the final analysis we could have taken the bonus point but for Birko's 2 minute exclusion in heat 8, not that it would have made much difference. Hull have first choice of opponents in the play-offs and are unlikely to miss the chance of a big pay day against their local rivals who they will also be very confident about beating.

Return to Sheffield Speedway fixtures and results
Return to Sheffield Speedway homepage