Plymouth v. Sheffield - April 29th 2011

[Peregrinner]

Heat 8.

Emiliano Sanchez dominated heat 8 chased by James Cockle and Mark Simmonds.

This resulted in a 3-3 and a match score of 25-22.

[Peregrinner]

Heat 9.

Ricky Ashworth beat Jason Bunyan at the front and Simon Lambert beat Seemond Stephens at the back for an away 4-2.

Match score now 27-26.

This was a close match and Sheffield were looking impressive albeit helped by a couple of refereeing decisions that prompted angry comments from the crowd nearest to the incidents.

[Peregrinner]

Heat 10.

Hugh Skidmore gated to win this one although Ben Barker tried all he knew to get past but he simply could not. The track was looking like it was not going to allow any passing after turn two.

Mark Simmonds got third place for a 3-3 and the score went to 30-29.

[Peregrinner]

Heat 11.

Sanchez got away in this one with Lee Smart in second, Shane Parker in third and Jesper Kristiansen at the back.

At this stage in the meeting I was thinking that Ole Olsen had been the one in the tractor at the last grading.

[Peregrinner]

Heat 12.

Seemond Stephens produced the start that we all remember so well but unfortunately James Cockle came out last with Sheffield filling the minor placings.

Josh Auty never gave up, however, and once again Seemond ran out of steam and was passed on the final bend of the final lap.

This gave Sheffield a 4-2 advantage and they now held the lead as the score went to 34-37.

[Peregrinner]

Heat 13.

Shane Parker got this one and Ben Barker got very close several times but just could not get past.

Ricky Ashworth was a comfortable third with Lee Smart at the back and it was looking all over for Plymouth until Ashworth hit the fourth bend fence on the final lap allowing Smart to come through for a point.

The 3-3 saw the match score go to 37-40. Sheffield were now favourites.

[Peregrinner]

Heat 14.

The race of the night saw speedway at its best.

Jesper Kristiansen who had been unlucky earlier in the evening took the lead from Hugh Skidmore with Jason Bunyan in third.

Bunyan and Skidmore traded places over the next couple of laps but each time Skidmore passed Bunyan he came back and finally held on for a 5-1 to the devils.

The 5-1 had the crowd excited and saw the devils in a slender lead at 42-41. There was hope of victory snatched from the jaws of defeat.

[Peregrinner]

Heat 15.

As we know the riders are all announced in advance of the race.

Not at Plymouth.

I had three names in my program before the announcement was made about who was riding. I had watched them all go past me on the way to the line.

Red: Barker - Blue: Bunyan - White: Parker - Yellow: Sanchez

A 3-3 was enough for a win.

Shane Parker took the race with Ben Barker in hot pursuit, once again unable to pass. Sanchez held onto third with an exhausted Bunyan from heat 14 at the back of the race.

Final score 44-45.

[Peregrinner]

Summary:

A reasonable first outing for Plymouth considering that all the other teams have got a few matches under their belts already.

Bunyan in heat 14 made the trip worthwhile (we talked about him earlier in the day) and it was great to watch some Ex Exeter Falcons in action with Mark, Seemond and Ben.

Ben performed well and when he learns the Plymouth track I am sure he will pass other riders as he got in good positions many times.

Mark put in the solid performance that he always did. Never brilliant but competent every race.

Seemond has lost something. His failure to hold onto the lead he had (twice) actually cost Plymouth the meeting. He rarely lost a lead when gating first at the county ground.

I did not want to, but I enjoyed it despite the lack of complete carnage, and I may have to return.

Now to get ready for the serious stuff - Grand Prix tomorrow.