Swift Saint Posted May 5, 2014 Report Share Posted May 5, 2014 HUNDRED PERCENT WEEKEND FOR STOKE SPEEDWAY The re-launch of speedway at Loomer Road and for the Stoke Potters could hardly have been bettered in an excellent weekend that produced a total of four victories for Stoke’s two teams. The track was in excellent shape after the extensive work that has taken place and although it seemed unfamiliar to the Stoke riders initially they soon began to appreciate the excellent racing lines available. National League Potters began their home season with a hard fought National Trophy win over a plucky Kent side and then followed that up with a magnificent victory at Buxton in a National League match that they largely dominated from start to finish with a very professional performance before a good sized amount of away support at Hi Edge. It is fair to say that Kent were hampered by injuries in the Loomer Road opener whilst a lack of track action saw the Potters looking race rusty on an unfamiliar track but as the match against Kent progressed the Stoke riders gained in confidence and were clear winners. With the cobwebs arising from the delayed start to the season at Loomer Road now very largely brushed aside, Stoke looked very solid throughout at Buxton and the match really illustrated the qualities within the team. Whilst it is fair to say that the Potters will face stronger sides than Buxton there was plenty of evidence that they have the armoury, spirit and support to be serious challengers when the more fancied sides are around. Ben Wilson led from the front in both fixtures and whilst at Loomer Road the team took a little time to settle on what was almost like an away track this unfamiliarity will disappear very quickly. Chris Widman has started the season in fine fashion passing opposition No. 1 Simon Lambert at Stoke and scoring the first paid maximum of his career at Buxton. Ben Hopwood rode well enough in both matches to be chosen for the two Heat 15 nominated races and Lee Payne weighed up both circuits to romp home in the penultimate heat of each match. Jon Armstrong has had very little racing this season but at Buxton looked back to his best reeling in four victories as he showed his paces at one of his earlier stomping grounds. The two reserves appear to have plenty to offer and although Rob Shuttleworth is clearly starting the speedway learning curve he is bold into the first corner and ready to mix it with more experienced riders. James McBain looks an outstanding reserve at this level with gating and overtaking skills in evidence in both matches with ten points against Kent and eight against Buxton. Such was the measure of Stoke’s victory over Buxton every Stoke rider scored in every race. To add the icing to the top of the cake Ben Wilson beat Simon Lambert in the Bronze Helmet Match Race Championship at Stoke and successfully defended his title at Buxton beating Tony Atkin. His defence against the top Kings Lynn rider will be a feature of Stoke’s next match at Loomer Road this coming Saturday at 7.00 pm. At the end of a hectic weekend Stoke Team Manager Malcolm Vasey said “We won’t get too carried away with those good performances. We made heavy work of Kent who battled hard but there were reasons for that. At Buxton we took control from the start and rode professionally for a great victory. But we have much more to come than this we are a great unit and the riders are honing their skills match on match. We face tougher opposition with last season’s National League Runners-Up Kings Lynn our visitors on Saturday evening. But we fear no-one at Loomer Road.” He added defiantly. Stoke 49 Kent 40 Stoke: Wilson 10, Widman 6, Hopwood 9, Payne 6, Armstrong 7, Shuttleworth 1, McBain 10. Kent: Lambert 17, Compton 0, Chessell 10, Mason 7, Harris 5, Freemantle 1 Buxton 30 Stoke 64 Buxton: Atkin 10, Phillips 0, Blacklock 3, Woolley 6, Carr 9, Farnaby 0, Extance 2, Stoke: Wilson 9, Widman 10, Hopwood 12, Payne 6, Armstrong 14, Shuttleworth 5, McBain 8. Midland Development League Stoke 22 Rye House 14 Buxton 10 Stoke 24 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baldy Posted May 5, 2014 Report Share Posted May 5, 2014 Chris and James look especially good at the start of the season for Stoke. That said; all should be applauded as it looks like any of the Stoke riders...(maybe not Rob so early in his speedway life) could win any race for you. Yes Kent were unlucky with the loss of two riders but Stoke had a little "bad" luck with Ben? and Lee losing points in scoring positions. Not sure that Benji would of scored any more points than his rides brought as he was injured anyway, So to start in the first place was the wrong decision for his team. Chris to go past Lambert on the Stoke track is a massive pointer on his ability and future development. Well done Stoke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
montie Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 HUNDRED PERCENT WEEKEND FOR STOKE SPEEDWAY Stoke 49 Kent 40 Stoke: Wilson 10, Widman 6, Hopwood 9, Payne 6, Armstrong 7, Shuttleworth 1, McBain 10. Buxton 30 Stoke 64 Stoke: Wilson 9, Widman 10, Hopwood 12, Payne 6, Armstrong 14, Shuttleworth 5, McBain 8. Midland Development League Stoke 22 Stoke 24 Did new Dawn score???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chopper Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Big we'll don't to Chris Widman a real battler who has persisted and deserves his success. Chopper 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMW Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Did new Dawn score???? Isn't that for a different type of forum altogether? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ommer Mon Posted May 6, 2014 Report Share Posted May 6, 2014 Congratulations to all at Stoke on a very encouraging start. The team looks solid and they may well be in contention for the play offs at the end of the year. I hope all that work on the track pays off and a combination of good racing and a competitive team gets a few more through the gate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storming Norman Posted May 7, 2014 Report Share Posted May 7, 2014 It feels like the Stoke Promotion are trying hard this season and so deserve to be given a chance by doubters. A good track and racing, home wins and communicating with the fans - keep it going Malcom and have a successful season. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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