Elite League
Eastbourne Speedway: Match report - Eagles 42 Ipswich Witches 48
By Nick
May 19, 2008, 19:24

The storm clouds that had earlier threatened the chances of the meeting going ahead wasn’t the only gloom that enveloped Arlington stadium on Saturday night as the Eastbourne Eagles suffered their second successive home defeat by virtue of a 48-42 reverse against the Ipswich Witches and also their fourth loss in the space of six days following setbacks both at Foxhall Heath and Lakeside on the preceding two evening’s.

The Sussex squad returned to their Arlington base intent on putting that unfortunate sequence firmly behind them and getting their play off ambitions back on track. However such hopes weren’t destined to be realised and while falls at crucial times, particularly for number one Scott Nicholls, cost Eagles dear, the Witches took full advantage of the opportunities presented to them and a solid display right through the order saw them triumph in some style, in spite of the fact (just like the Hammers the previous evening) that they provided only five race winners as opposed to the Eagles ten. However with no fewer than three 5-1’s and two 4-2’s being accrued from those five successes they came close to maximising that potential while Eagles only enjoyed a single 5-1 and three 4-2’s from their ten heat victory’s.

Some might argue that they were fortunate with the make up of their team, the Witches tracking Wolves Fredrick Lindgren as a guest replacement for injured skipper Chris Louis, utilising the rider replacement facility, with everyone eligible to take a ride, for the absent Tobias Kroner and having Piotr Swiderski, currently ranked fourth in the Elite League averages, sitting in the reserve berth.

However, this was just one of those times when all the pieces of the jigsaw fell nicely into place for them and with certainly no rules having been breached, nobody could begrudge them the opportunity of playing the percentage.

On any other day, the Eagles might have pointed to the absence of Captain Lee Richardson as a probable factor for their defeat, however with 11-points from a possible 12 being realised from his rider replacement outings, on this occasion that argument cannot really stack up. Indeed, aside from the falls, suffered by Nicholls in heats one and fifteen, together with a bizarre exclusion for unfair riding in the thirteenth and Cameron Woodward when well placed in race nine which clearly didn’t aid their cause, the main difference between the sides was a lack of punch at reserve, the Eagles tallying just 3-points in contrast to the visitors 15 (paid 18).

Indeed the signs appeared ominous for the Sussex men right from the word go and although Lewis Bridger effectively romped to victory in the first, partner Nicholls in hot pursuit for the most part, a tense and absorbing tussle developed as Lindgren fought his way past the Eagles number one out of bend two of lap three. Nicholls cut back through on the Swedes inside on the run in to the final circuit but seemed to lock up on the second turn, the pair clipping each other with Nicholls parting company with his machine.

The potential heat advantage having been lost, the visitors raced ahead following the second as Chris Schramm (Ipswich’s man of the match from the Thursday night clash between the sides) combined with Swiderski for an all too comfortable 5-1 ahead of Simon Gustafsson in the reserves race.     

Lindgren made his earlier track knowledge count in the third as he gained revenge for his first race defeat over Bridger and although Woodward pushed fellow countryman and Ipswich stand in skipper Steve Johnston every step of the way, the visitors 4-2 saw their lead increase to 6-points, progressively 12-6.

Edward Kennett granted the home side some respite with a flying win in heat four, however with stand in reserve Nick Simmons taking a tumble (while unplaced) on the third bend of lap two, Schramm led home Jarek Hampel for a split of the points, one that saw Ipswich protect their 6-point advantage which now stood at 15-9.

Kennett was once again in the thick of the action in race five as he shared a maximum 5-1 with Woodward to reel the visitors in a little, the margin narrowing to just 2-points, 16-14. The race wasn’t without incident however, Swiderski having found himself excluded, somewhat unfortunately after running into partner Robert Miskowiak who had spun around ahead of him on bend two.

One of the best races of a thrilling night’s entertainment followed in heat six, Hampel and Swiderski each gating ahead of Nicholls to lead, however it was the Eagles rider who was set to triumph as he fought his way past both Pole’s in succession to anchor another share of the spoils.

Kennett did likewise in the next with a fine victory at the expense of Lindgren and Johnston but with Simmons (in a reserve switch with Gustafsson) failing to trouble either of the Ipswich duo, it was the visitors who still led proceedings, this latest 3-3 seeing them lead 22-20.

Bridger was an all the way winner of heat eight but although Swiderski was set to get the better of Gustafsson for second place, the eventual Eagles 4-2 pulled them level at 24-points apiece with their visitors for the first time since the opening race.

This scenario remained in place as the scores moved to 27-27 on conclusion of an incident packed heat nine during which Nicholls claimed his second win after picking himself up from a further fall on the second bend, one that saw all four riders called back to the start, first bend bunching having been cited by referee Christina Turnbull.

Indeed Eastbourne looked likely to edge ahead for the first time on the night as Nicholls triumphed in the restart, however it was Woodward’s turn to suffer an unscripted fall, the Australian having battled past Swiderski into third place for the 4-2 and giving chase to Hampel he slid to the shale on the first bend on lap four ensuring that parity remained between the teams.

Nicholls claimed his third, and Eagles seventh race win in successive races in heat 10 and their eighth overall as Eastbourne finally got their noses in front, courtesy of a 4-2 as Nicholls led home Lindgren and Bridger produced a flying ride to defeat Johnston, and almost catch the Swede in the closing stages.

The advantage saw them move into 31-29 lead but hopes among the home fans that they would draw away were dispelled as the Witches hit right back with a 5-1 in the eleventh, Miskowiak and Hampel leading all the way but although Kennett piled on the pressure throughout he couldn’t prevent the Polish pair inflicting his first defeat of proceedings, or their overturning of the Eagles two point lead.

The course of the match continued to ebb and flow, Woodward producing a superb effort to deny Swiderski while Gustafsson followed home in third place for the 4-2 after Lindgren had pulled up on the final bend of lap three having suffered an engine failure. The Pole had kept the heat on throughout the race, so much so that he actually fell on the back straight following its conclusion, nevertheless the resultant 4-2 meant that the sides were deadlocked once more, the scores now standing at 36-36 and with just three heats remaining a thrilling finale was in store.

With Nicholls and Kennett in harness, the Eagles could the first of these with a degree of confidence, however it was visiting duo Hampel and Miskowiak who were fastest from the start. Disaster was set to strike as then Nicholls was excluded for unfair riding having been deemed responsible for unseating Miskowiak as he moved hard under him on the final bend of lap two. The inevitable protests ensued but the official remained adamant that Nicholls had been the cause of the incident and that he should not take a part in the second running.

With Hampel fending off Kennett in the restart, once again it was the Witches who held the upper hand, their second 4-2 restoring their 2-point advantage and with the scores now standing at 40-38 suddenly the tension within the Eagles camp was palpable.

Woodward did his bit to alleviate some of that angst as he gated to lead throughout in the penultimate race. For a time it appeared that Gustafsson might do likewise as started alongside his team mate, however Johnston and Swiderski in turn fought their way past the young Swedish Eagle to wrest the nights sixth 3-3, one that ensured that they would enter the final race still holding that 2-point lead, one that now stood at 43-41 meaning that only a 5-1 would do if Eagles were to take maximum points from the clash.

Given the quality of racing and the effort put in by both teams, a draw would probably have proved a fair and just result, but the Witches were clearly intent on taking all three points, points that were destined to move them within just 2-points of Eastbourne in the Elite League table and with a massive five matches in hand, the Eagles really have to rekindle their flagging fortunes in the coming weeks if there are to maintain their Play Off status.

Nicholls and Kennett were nominated to fly the flag for the Sussex side while the Witches management pressed the high flying Hampel and Lindgren into service. Arlington held its breath but as the tapes flashed up, Eagles hearts sank as it was the Ipswich duo that jetted into the lead. Nicholls and Kennett gave chase but lap three finally saw their cause at an end as the former locked up in front of the latter causing them both to fall. The race stoppage was inevitable as was Nicholls second exclusion of the evening and with three riders only left to contest the rerun, nothing short of a miracle could save Eagles blushes.

The miracle failed to transpire but further misery was in store as Kennett suffered a further tumble, unfortunate in many ways as he looked to have taken evasive action as Lindgren seemed set to fall in front of him. The race continued however, with Kennett remounting but by now nothing could prevent Hampel and Lindgren from riding home for the 5-1 to the jubilation of the many visiting supporters and with the final score standing at 48-42 it was certainly a result that set the seal on a troubled week for Eastbourne speedway.          

 
Scorers :
 
Eagles : Edward Kennett 13(6), Lewis Bridger 9(5), Scott Nicholls 9(6), Cameron Woodward 8+1(5), Simon Gustafsson 3(6), Nick Simmons 0(3), Rider Replacement for Lee Richardson – 42
 
Witches : Jarek Hampel 12+3(6), Fredrik Lindgren (Guest for Chris Louis) 11+1(6), Piotr Swiderski 10+3(7), Robert Miskowiak 6+1(4), Chris Schramm 5(3), Steve Johnston 4+1(4), Rider Replacement for Tobi Kroner - 48
 
EASTBOURNE 42

S. Nicholls                    F  3  3  3  X/U X/F      - 9
L.Bridger                      3  2  0  3  1                 - 9
Rider Replacement (Lee Richardson)
C.Woodward               0  2* 0  3  3                 - 8+1
E. Kennett                    3  3  3  1  2  1             - 13
S. Gustafsson               1  N  1  0  1  0            - 3
N.Simmons                  0  0  0  N                    - 0
Team manager : Trevor Geer
 
IPSWICH 48

Rider Replacement (Tobi Kroner)                    
R.Miskowiak                1* 1  N  3  1               - 6+1
F.Lindgren (G) 2  3  2  2  E/F 2*          - 11+1
S.Johnston                    1  1* 0  2                    - 4+1
J.Hampel                      1* 1* 2  2* 3  3           - 12+3
P.Swiderski                  2* X/F 2  2  1* 2  1*   - 10+3
C.Schramm                  3  2  0  N                    - 5
Team manager : Pete Simmons
 
Referee : Christina Turnbull
 
HEAT DETAILS
1  Bridger, Lindgren (R/R), Miskowiak, Nicholls, 56.2                                      (3-3)
2  Schramm, Swiderski, Gustafsson, Simmons, 57.9                                                      (4-8)
3  Lindgren, Bridger (R/R), Hampel, Woodward, 57.0                                      (6-12)
4  Kennett, Schramm, Hampel, Simmons (fell rem.), 56.4                                              (9-15)
5  (Rerun) Kennett (R/R), Woodward, Miskowiak, Swiderski (exc.fell), 56.7    (14-16)
6  Nicholls, Swiderski, Hampel, Bridger, 56.7                                                   (17-19)
7  Kennett, Lindgren, Johnston, Simmons (res.repl.), 56.2                                             (20-22)
8   Bridger, Swiderski (res.repl.), Gustafsson (res.repl.), Schramm, 56.0                        (24-24)
9   (Rerun) Nicholls (R/R), Hampel, Swiderski, Woodward, 57.3                                  (27-27)
10 Nicholls, Lindgren, Bridger, Johnston, 55.6                                                  (31-29)
11 Miskowiak, Hampel (R/R), Kennett, Gustafsson, 57.2                                            (32-34)
12 Woodward (R/R), Swiderski, Gustafsson (res.repl.), Lindgren (eng. fail), 57.3          (36-36)
13 (Rerun) Hampel, Kennett, Miskowiak (R/R), Nicholls (exc. unfair riding), 56.7         (38-40)
14 Woodward, Johnston, Swiderski (res.repl.), Gustafsson, 57.6                                  (41-43)
15 (Rerun) Hampel, Lindgren, Kennett, Nicholls (exc. fell) 57.0                                    (42-48)