Somersham v Gt. Blakenham
26/6/2002 NSL
Somersham not only had to battle with Gt. Blakenham in this local league clash but also had flies on their back all night! With the home side constantly brushing the insects off their bright yellow shirts, Gt. Blakenham were efficiently going about the process of winning races.
They sportingly rested some of their top riders, but although Stars' Simon Turnbull won the first race, the visitors took maximum points in the second and never looked back.
There were several exciting races though such as the heat 6 classic. Barry Copping, experimenting with an extra low gearing, rocketed out of the start, but Blakenham's Oli Martin was all over him while at the same time keeping out Gary Brown. On the last bend Martin switched lines, confusing the Somersham pair, and winning the sprint to the finish by a tyre's width.
The next was almost as good with Steve Copping impressing as he held out Paul Brinkhoff. But with a lap to go the home rider slipped, bringing down his opponent, and the result was awarded.
Gt. Blakenham's Daniel Pike was on top form, dropping just one point, and his victory in heat 14 sealed the match for them.
Somersham 77
G Brown 14, B Copping 14, S Turnbull 12, A Mittell 11, S Copping 8, P Mittell 7, L Hodgkinson 6, A Turnbull 5.
Gt. Blakenham 102
D Pike 19, O Martin 17, W Page 15, G Jacobs 13, P Brinkhoff 11, L Pike 11, D Solomon 8, S Pyke 6, T Ashford 2.