Ipswich whirlwinds welcomed South East League newcomers Hellingly to Whitton Raceway in the first of the day’s meetings.
The whirlwinds welcomed Pierce Bacon back into the squad, taking the place of younger brother Harrison, who was unavailable for the first match of the day while Hellingly were lead by club stalwarts Jesse Moore and Neil Hollebon.
The first half was a tight affair with Hollebon, Moore, Chittock and Brooke all taking wins, Chittocks first a superb show of power round the outside of Hollebon in their first heat together.
Whirlwinds went into half time 6 points to the good, but cranked the pressure up in the second half taking advantage of Hellinglys lower order to take some impressive heat wins.
Jamie Chittock executed a lovely switch on Jesse Moore to keep his maximum score intact, while Josh Brooke and Pierce Bacon only dropped 1 point a piece.
For Hellingly Neil Hollebon showed his mettle with a well earnt 18+1, while the rest of the squad scored respectably.
Ipswich Whirlwinds 90
Jamie Chittock 19+1, Ben Harvey 14+1, Dan Pike 8+1, Pierce Bacon 19, Ben Clarke 4, Josh Brooke 22+1, Phil Clarke 4
Hellingly Lions 70
Neil Hollebon 18+1, Edward Ridley 4, Jesse Moore 13, Jamie Cox 4+1, Martin Hollebon 9+1, Steven Archer 7, Tristan Bassett 7, Etienne Patel 5, Jamie Morley 1
Ipswich Whirlwinds v East London
The second of the Whirlwinds matches for the day saw them take on the ‘Vets’ of the league, East London. Unfortunately due to rider unavailability East London arrived with 5 riders, so were boosted with the inclusion of young Eagles Alex Harvey and Fraser Harris.
In a typically 1 sided but always enjoyable affair, the Whirlwinds were able to build a good score which never really looked in danger.
Dan Pike was able to reel off his first maximum score since returning to the sport and Jamie Chittock was once again unbeaten by an opponent, but perhaps the rider of the match was young Alex Harvey.
In the first half he got one over on older brother Ben, giving his team mate room to come through for a well worked 5-5 and also showed the importance of riding to the line as he almost caught Jamie Chittock napping on the last bend and lost by the width of a tyre.
The whirlwinds continue their title defence next time out, at home again to Norwich, while East London host Kesgrave
(Score sheet to follow)
Ipswich Eagles vs Hellingly
Hellingly then faced the Ipswich Eagles division 1 team for a closer match, though the Eagles’ only heat loss came in heat 14 when Ashley Hill won a 4-5 after Dan Knights was excluded for movement at the tapes.
Ipswich Eagles 89
Dan Knights 12+2, Matt Hill 16, Richard Fellgett 13+2, Ashley Hill 20, Fraser Harris 8+2, Charlie Rumbold 16+1, Alex Harvey 4+1
Hellingly Lions 69
Neil Hollebon 18+1, Edward Ridley 4, Jesse Moore 13, Martin Hollebon 9+1, Steven Archer 7, Etienne Patel 5, Jamie Cox, Tristan Basset, Jamie Morley 1
Ipswich finished with four wins in four matches as the Division 2 team beat Hellingly.