Eagles clip Blakenham’s wings as their march towards another league title
Luke Harrison and Dan Knights collide in the first bend at Ipswich during the Elite Senior GP on Saturday Photo: PHIL CLARKE - Credit: Archant
Ipswich Eagles 95 Great Blakenham 82
Ipswich Eagles put one hand on the South East Division One trophy after a hard-fought victory over local rivals Great Blakenham, on Sunday, writes Phil Clarke.
Blakenham had won the first fixture between the two clubs by six points, but this 95-82 victory for Ipswich in the return, means it will be the Eagles who will retain the title once more should they win the rest of their fixtures.
Ipswich were solid throughout with every rider contributing, while Blakenham relied heavily on their top three of Josh Brooke, Adam Peck and Lewis Osborne.
And while Peck went through the card, Ipswich were too solid.
Exclusions to Osborne and Keanu Bowers took their toll on the visitors to Whitton Sports Centre and Ipswich lead 49-38 at the interval.
Ipswich were content with shared heats in the second half in what was a master-class team performance.
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The meeting also included Division 2 and Youth matches, both won comfortably by Ipswich.
With both teams dropping no points elsewhere in the league so far, this result makes Ipswich the favourites for the 2018 title as ties will be decided on the points difference from their two meetings.
Ipswich Eagles 95: Dan Knights 10+2, Matt Hill 17, Pierce Bacon 14+1, Richard Fellgett 15+2, Harrison Bacon 11+1, Ashley Hill 13+2, Fraser Harris 9, Ben Clarke 6+1.
Great Blakenham 82: Sam Turner 0, Josh Brooke 15, Jason Ashford 9+1, Adam Peck 20, Lewis Osborne 14, Jonjo Slaughter 12+1, Keanu Bowers 7+2, Adam Cooper 5.
On Saturday, the HSBC Elite Grand Prix took place at Ipswich.
And it was double joy for the home club, with Pierce Bacon (juniors) and Ashley Hill (seniors) taking home the top cash prizes. Bacon made it two GP wins on the bounce, defeating Poole’s Fraser Garnett and Kesgrave’s Lewis Brinkhoff in an A final clash.
Hill was untouchable in the seniors, racing to a 20-point maximum.
Indeed he was even afforded the luxury of finishing second in his final heat, if needed. However, he beat Josh Brooke in that. Brooke finishing the afternoon in third place and second in the overall standings. Chris Timms of Birmingham was second on the day.
