Norfolk League Round 1, Eaton Park
HETHERSETT HAWKS / YELLOW BRICK MORTGAGES were back in team action for the first time in over 18 months when they took part in the first round of Norfolk League fixtures organised locally before the regional league starts in July. Three Senior teams took to the track at Eaton Park and it was the Spixworth team – made up of those working hard to re-launch the club, two locally based Ipswich riders and a couple of ex-riders, who stormed to victory.
The Hawks had to make a late change, drafting in youth debutant Mason Martin, and also had on track Rob Silver making an impressive debut and comeback veteran Rod Burke. A battle ensued for the minor places and at times it did resemble a battlefield with several restarts but good teamwork by Harley Hamill supporting sound heat leader performances from Leigh Cossey and Paul Delaiche saw the Hawks edge Norwich Stars out of second place by one point.
SPIXWORTH 105 HETHERSETT 83 NORWICH 82
L.Cossey 20 P.Delaiche 19 H.Hamill 15 R.Silver 12 R.Burke 11 M.Martin 6
The Youth match was just between Hethersett and Norwich and the Hawks side consisted of eight riders who had never raced a team match for the Club before. Needless to say at times they were outwitted by more experienced youngsters of the home side but they really put up a tremendous effort. Mason Martin spoiled the maximum hopes of all the Norwich riders by winning his first four rides before a heavy fall in his last ride. All the others had good promising rides to build their experience ahead of the South-East Youth League later in the season but there was a big cheer for Lola Martin who won the final heat.
NORWICH 91 HETHERSETT 69
M.Martin 17 A.Musa 13 L.El Labany 12 L.Martin 9 T.Silver 7 R.Harding 5 M.Pugh 4 J.Hankey 2
The abundance of new riders achieved a club milestone – passing the 500 mark for riders who have represented the Hawks in team matches during the past 55 years!!
Match Two in the Norfolk League series is at Spixworth on June 6th (Youth 11.00; Seniors 13.00)
Click to enlarge photos
