A large, receptive crowd took advantage of the free entry promotion being run for this match, and was rewarded with an explosive performance from the Kart Raceway Cobras, who were determined to gain revenge for their 65-26 mauling in Derbyshire in June. That they did so was down to some powerful gating and an all-round team performance that saw Rob Smith, Gary Cottham and Andrew Aldridge each beaten in just a single race and the rest of the side provide very solid back-up.

In stark contrast, only exciting 17 year old Jack Roberts and, to a lesser extent, Ben Taylor put up any resistance for the Hitmen. Roberts collected five race wins, and fell in his other ride when pursuing Smith for second place, while Taylor won Heat 7 but otherwise had a quiet night.

Four maximum heat advantages in the first six races put the Cobras firmly on the road to victory, at 26-10, and thereafter it was largely a question of whether Smith, Cottham and Aldridge could go through the card. Roberts proved to be the big spoiler, beating Aldridge in Heat 9 when nominated for double points as a Tactical Rider, and then ending Smith’s and Cottham’s maximum hopes in their final races, Heats 13 and 15, respectively. With just three pointless rides for Rye as a whole, it was the Cobras who had the last laugh, however.

Rye House scorers:
Rob Smith   10+4 (5 rides)
Gary Cottham   16+1 (6)
Danny Halsey   R/R
Andrew Aldridge  12+2 (5)
Terry Day   6 (4)
Nick Laurence   5+3 (4)
Lee Strudwick   10+1 (5)
Daniel Greenwood (No.8) 0 (1)

Buxton scorers:
John Branney   R/R
Paul Burnett   2 (4 rides)
Ben Taylor   8 (6)   
Lewis Dalloway  1 (5)
Jack Roberts   18 (6 rides, inc 6 as a TR)
Scott Whittington  1 (3)
Gareth Isherwood  4 (6)

The Pocket Rockets made it a double success for Rye House at Hoddesdon on Saturday night, beating the Eastbourne Eaglets 20-16 in the Academy League. Daniel Greenwood and Jake Knight romped to what proved the decisive 5-1 in the opening race, with all the remaining heats being shared. Greenwood was also an unlucky faller in Heat 6, with Nick Laurence missing out on a win in Heat 4 due to mechanical problems.

Rye House scorers (all 3 rides):
Nick Laurence 7+1, Jake Knight 4+3, Daniel Greenwood 5, Ashley Morris 4.

Eastbourne scorers (all 3 rides):
Chris Widman 7, Micharl Bowvis 5+1, Niall Strudwick 4+1, Charlie Gates 0.