Halifax Dukes V Berwick Border Raiders Njl Match 25 June 2017

[dukes]

Scintillating speedway was served up at Scunthorpe Speedway today when Halifax `Golden Fleece`Dukes entertained Berwick Border Raiders. The cream of British Youth speedway served up entertainment superior to most professional matches and a narrow margin of scores showed the evenness of the teams.
With Dan Gilkes making his debut for the Dukes,all looked well in heat 1 with Kean Dicken following round the first bend and the Dukes on a 5-1, by lap 2 Kev Whelan had made his mark with a inside swoop for second place. All looked well on the last bend when disaster struck for Dan with a sudden engine failure, Kev Whelan sped through with Kean Dicken second and Kieran Douglas third for a early Berwick lead 4-2.
Heat 2 saw the first ever Northern Junior League 250cc race and what a race. With all 4 riders entering the first bend no quarter was given by any of the riders, side by side until the straight where Dan Thompson took the lead. With Jordan Palin, Leon Flint and Joe Thompson in hot pursuit the race was not over, lap after lap the boys rode hard with Berwick securing another 4-2 advantage.
Heat 3 and Dan Gilkes had to resort to his second bike, but who would have thought it. A magnificent start and holding his nerve under pressure from Kieran Douglas and Kev Whelan, Dan emerged from bend 2 in front and kept the lead throughout. 3-3.
Heat 4 and the Dukes duo of Jordan Palin and Joe Thompson raced away for a superb 5-1 and to level the aggregate scores to 12-12.
Heat 5 and all 4 riders into the bend together and again with Dan Gilkes holding his nerve he gained advantage down the back straight with Kev Whelan, Kean Dicken and Kieran Douglas following. Douglas reeled in and passed Dicken and doing that split the heat score 3-3.
Heat 6 and all to race for saw Jordan Palin and Joe Thompson away from the gate with Leon Flint and Dan Thompson not far behind. Slowly Leon Flint reeled in Joe Thompson and a pass, but Jordan Palin was gone and tad too far for Leon Flint to reach. 4-2 to the Dukes and a narrow margin win 19-17.
Credit must go to all riders who displayed fantastic skill and ability for their years, but most of all to their parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, families and friends for without these nothing would be possible. Thank you all.

Halifax`Golden Fleece`Dukes 19
Keen Dicken 2, 0, 0, 2
Dan Gilkes ef, 3, 3, 6
Jordan Palin 2, 3, 3, 8
Joe Thompson 0, 2+1, 1, 3+1

Berwick Border Raiders 17
Kev Whelan 3, 2, 2, 7
Kieran Douglas 1, 1+1, 1+1, 3+2
Leon Flint 1, 1, 2 4
Dan Thompson 3, 0, 0 3