Classic Matches

[Robyn1972]

I think that my favourite meeting has to be the night that Hackney Kestrels won the 1988 league and also the same year when the Kestrels won the KO cup at Plough Lane both meetings were really great.

Strangely enough - those were the first two meetings which jumped into my mind when I started reading this thread! Will NEVER forget that night at Plough Lane - what a season that was! Of course, full match reports on those are available already written up in Mike Western's book "7 men for one season".

 

There have also been some cracking 16-lappers at Foxhall - always a crowd pleaser that one although it helps if several people run out of fuel.....!

[boywonder]

NL KOC 2nd round, 25/5/1980 and 26/5/1980, Mildenhall v Rye House.

 

Big, big vociferous crowds. Needle. Mildenhall 1979 NL Champs by 1 pt from the Rockets. Rye in their own title winning season. Teams of home grown local riders.

Plenty of "history" and a few recent cotroversies. Like Fiala being controversially excluded in heat 13 of the '79 NL "decider" at West Row after a crash. Garrad sportingly doesn't come out for the 5-0 rerun as Rye withdraw from the meeting having lost the match.

 

Whit Sunday, 45-33 to Tigers at the Fen on Sunday. Bob Garrad punches Mick Bates after being excluded for unfair riding after a Heat 9 pile up that also brought down Kelvin Mullarkey. Kelvin got up to win the rerun.

Very hard riding throughout and Kelvin, who lived in West Row, at the centre of much of it to the "joy" of the crowd. Tigers only pull out a lead in the last 3 heats when Fiala has an EF allowing a 5-1 to the Fenmen.

 

Rye on Monday begins a massive Rockets fight back. No Fen Tigers race winners except for Ian Gledhill in Heat 7. The agg. score is level 69-69 for the start of heat 11.

Ray Bales makes up for two last places by winning a 4-2 for the Tigers from Bob Garrad, the first Fen Tigers heat advantage this day. 71-73.

Heat 12 and Rob Henry falls. Amazing scenes. A 5-1 to the Rockets is turned into a 4-2 as Richard Knight battles past King Kelvin Mullarkey so the score is level 75-75 for the last heat decider.

Garrad and Peter Tarrant v Bales and Gledhill, the only Mildenhall heat winners.

Bales goes round Garrad on 2nd bend to head off and hold on for a 4-2 win for the Tigers and the bumps as Tarrant bites the dust at the back behing Ian Gledhill.

 

Randall Butt, Sports correspondent, Cambridge Evening News wrote, "Two of the most thrilling speedway matches I've ever seen, indeed two of the most exciting sporting events of any sort I've had the priviledge to be at."

[boywonder]

Also 28.5.1978 Inter-League KOC Mildenhall v White City Rebels.

 

At the time like Poole v Buxton would be today. No NL team rarely ever won one of these matches. And Mildenhall weren't all that as a NL team then. 5000 turned up just in case.

 

LBC Rebels, the GBL champs were led by Gordon Kennett, Niemi and Steve Weatherley who got a 12pt max.

 

Incredibly Tigers lead into Heat 11 by 2pts. A young Rob Henry is put into the 2nd bend boards by a dive up the inside by Gordon Kennett on lap 3 and excluded, not Kennett. Pandemonium in the crowd and pits. 5-1 to Rebels gives them a 2pt lead which they hang to for a last heat decider.

Kennett later concedes it was his fault.

 

Heat 13 Henry again and Bales v that man Gordon Kennett and Paul Gachet.

The score 35-37 to the Rebels.

 

Tigers come out of the first bend on a 5-1!! Wow!! And Gordon has an engine failure for good measure. Surely the Tigers are going to be giantkillers now?

 

Then just like when the British used to play the joker in Its A Knockout , it all went belly up.

 

With Henry away in the lead avenging his unfair exclusion, Ray Bales fell off ON THE HOME STRAIGHT of lap 3 allowing Gachet a match winning 2pts.

3-2 heat win meant Tigers lost 38-39.

Still hurts.

[stevehone]

what about the England v USA test match at Plough Lane that finished 54-54

it was the one sponsored by Durex... think it was 1981

 

was a fantastic meeting with the likes of Penhall, Sigalos, Autrey etc against Carter, PC, Mort etc

 

remember standing in a crowded stadium and the racing and atmosphere being great

[fatface]

Previous three sound like crackers.

 

I remember the 83 England v USA series decider at Sheffield as an absolute belter. The racing was out of this world with everything at stake. Morton, Collins, Carter, Sigalos and Moran were all superb. England won 58-50 with 5-1s in the last two heats.

Edited April 27, 2004 by falcace

[NathanB]

I can remember a couple of matches the 1997 Craven Shield Q-Final between Kings Lynn and Ipswich and the KO Cup Q-Final between Kings Lynn and Sheffield last season. Both crackers in my eyes even if the result didnt go our way both times.

[norbold]

Well, this seems to be all very encouraging.

 

As I said before, I am not quite ready to start on this yet, but keep hold of your memories and I'll be in touch probably in a couple of months. In the meantime don't let me stop you continuing to post on the subject. It will give me a feel for what's out there.

 

Thanks everyone.

[boywonder]

Norbold, could you ask the one and only Stan Stevens if he can remember his part in two epic Mildenhall v Newcastle matches???

At the time Newcastle were THE team in the National League and brought four or more coachloads of noisy supporters away with them.

 

NL 7/9/75 T his was tied 36-36 and a last heat decider featuring the almost unbeatable Weslake mounted Tom Owen. Stan on his Jap and the other veteran, Chris Julian on a 2v Jawa team rode for a 5-1 and an amazing 41-37 victory.

 

The '76 rematch was the meeting I would relive if I ever could revisit a day of speedway history.

It was baking, baking hot. The Diamonds were NL champions and superstars with both Owen brothers. Another crowd of 4-5000.

It was a controversial meeting of exclusions and hard riding. Robbie Blackadder deliberately rode into Stan Stevens on the back straight and his footrest broke Stan's sprocket, chain and bike frame! The gentlemanly Stan went nuts and three men had to hold him back from tearing Blackadder's throat out.

Newcastle refused to let the track be watered so in the last few heats you couldn't see the other end for all the dust.

Riders were showering between races to avoid collapse it was so hot.

Bob Coles got fined majorly for a one man commando assault on the ref's box after losing it over a decision. He kicked a hole in the door of the box that was there for years afterwards.

John Gibbons also lost it big time and threw the track phone but I can't remember why.

It went to a last heat decider when Tigers number 8 was sent out for his first ever race for his team! The previously untried Mick Bates, gated a poor last but rode through the fog of dust to unbelievably overtake the other three and win his debut race and the match for the Tigers. Unrepeatable drama.

 

Does Stan recall any of this?? What a guy.

[norbold]

Thanks for that, boywonder. I'll certainly ask Stan about it. I was going to ask him anyway if he'd like to contribute a match for the book. Perhaps one of those will be the one he contributes!

Edited April 29, 2004 by norbold

[21st century heathen]

Previous three sound like crackers.

 

I remember the 83 England v USA series decider at Sheffield as an absolute belter. The racing was out of this world with everything at stake. Morton, Collins, Carter, Sigalos and Moran were all superb. England won 58-50 with 5-1s in the last two heats.

Remember that one too. Only the last 2 heats were shown on tv. Now that was what they used to call nudging the tapes Sensational first corner by Shawn only to suffer an ef. I can remember being gutted because when I was a kid I never liked the English rider, but did like the Americans and Danes. Before anyone gets on my back I was 7.

 

Will have to put some thought into this for you. I can remember Greg and Billy turning a match on its head for us at Wolves. I'll see if I can find the details.

 

[fatface]

I can remember being gutted because when I was a kid I never liked the English rider, but did like the Americans and Danes. Before anyone gets on my back I was 7.

That's probably because you're a Cradley fan and it would be genetically impossible for you to support Kenny Carter.

[Guest]

How about Wimbledon v Cradley in October 1981?

 

That year the Dons finished stone last in the British League and Cradley were a mere two points from claiming their first BL title.

 

No one gave the Dons a chance (including this young 12 year old!) but we rode completely out of character and held the mighty Heathens to an improbable 38 all draw.

[21st century heathen]

I can remember being gutted because when I was a kid I never liked the English rider, but did like the Americans and Danes.  Before anyone gets on my back I was 7.

That's probably because you're a Cradley fan and it would be genetically impossible for you to support Kenny Carter.

True enough, but what about Kenny Carters' British Final win? Surely that has to rank right up there. Even I have to give him credit for that one.

 

[norbold]

OK, following further discussions with Tempus about the Classic Meetings book and its format etc., I can now give the following update.

 

Firstly, I will be co-editing the book with falcace. The book will consist of 20 chapters and will include two meetings from each decade 20s - 00s. This, as you will observe, makes 18. There will therefore be two "wild card" chapters, which can be from any decade.

 

Falcace and I would welcome your suggestions on which matches to include before we make a final decision and we thought that, in any case, the two extra chapters would be those which are most popular with Forumers.

 

We are hoping to make a start on the book as soon as possible with a view to having it published in time for next year's British Grand Prix.

 

I have already made a note of the suggestions posted on here, but further suggestions would be welcome. You can either post on here or e-mail them direct to falcace or me. So get posting or e-mailing!

[iris123]

What about the Wembley book Norbold?Not going so well or nearly finished

[sjw ministerofport]

How about Hull 40 Cradley 38 The first heat was Ivan Mauger Dennis Sigalos v Bruce Penhall Bobby Schwartz. I'm sure in the program they had writen about Mauger and Sigalos scoring so many five one victories and it being a record. Penhall and Schwartz five one'd them. The meeting was touch and go for either side to win. Erike Gundersen crashed heavily in one race but luckily walked away. Maybe someone has the program it was a brilliant match.

[Guest dontforgetoturnleft!!]

How about the best NL match off all time, Ipswich 48 Hackney 47 - think it was 1989. Terric meeting, brilliant last heat with the lead changing about four or five times.

 

Also Ipswich beating Cradley by a couple in, I think, 1983. Nigel Flatman rode at 3 (I think both sides had a heat leader or two missing) and teamrode Andy Hines home for a 5-1 over Eric Gundersen.

 

A 3rd meeting, totally for the satisaction level, was when Ipswich took on Kings Lynn without Louis or Sanders, KL insisted it was reduced to a challenge. Score was Ippo 47 The Stars (I think with Jessup, Lee and Turner) 31 with double r/r being used and Shimp Davey getting a fully house 18 points.

 

Those were the days !!

[fatface]

Keep 'em coming guys.

 

Like Norbold says, your suggestions are most welcome. I'm sure many of you have some great meetings tucked away in a warm place in your minds - I certainly do. Here's your chance to share them with not only fellow forumers, but thousands of others (I have a good feeling about this book )

 

So come on down and share those magic moments with us. Either post here or e-mail myself or Norbold. YOUR FORUM NEEDS YOU...

Edited August 23, 2004 by falcace

[Dave the Mic]

My God, so many to choose from.

 

Exeter v Belle Vue late October 1975 - Belle Vue needed a point to win the league from Ipswich, but Exeter triumphed 41-37. Iwas an incredible match. So many miles separated the sides, but Falcons v Aces matches were always like local derbies & that one was no exception.

 

1983 Weymouth v Exeter Cup final second leg @ Radipole Lane. Weymouth were a quality side then & the Falcons were pretty average to be honest, but the second leg will go down in Exeter folklore. Won the cup with a one point aggregate victory. Terrific match.

 

SWC 2004 play off?

 

1996 KOCQF Swindon v Exeter @ Blunsdon 48-48. Just one of the most entertaining matches I have seen. Drama, controversy, great racing, it had the lot. Including an honourable draw.

 

1973 England v Sweden @ Sheffield 40-38. PC & Eric Boocock bringing the house down with a from the back 4-2 in the last race. Now that was a case of "Happiness is 40-38"!!

 

Haven't got time to post any more now, but will try & get back to it.

Edited August 23, 2004 by Dave the Mic

[Robyn1972]

How about the best NL match off all time, Ipswich 48 Hackney 47 - think it was 1989. Terric meeting, brilliant last heat with the lead changing about four or five times.

Oh yes - remember that one. There I was cheering for Hackney to win, but with a certain degree of, let's say, Ipswich interest! Talk about split personality!