Ipswich Whirlwinds (105+15) 120.
Josh Brooke 23+1 (6), Jamie Chittock 21+1 (6), Lewis Roberts 20 (6), Leon Mower 18+4 (6), Ben Harvey 13+2 (6), Lauren Jacobs 10 (6) .
Hethersett Hawks (74+15 ) 89 .
Lee Grange 16+1 (6), Dan Chambers 15+1 (6), Leigh Cossey 13 (6), Oli Riley 12 (6), Oli Buxton 10+1 (6), Danielle Riley 8 (6) .
Referee. Bill Brooke .
The top two teams meet this afternoon at Ipswich and with both teams going into this encounter still unbeaten, and with both teams giving away fifteen penalty points a close match was in the offering. Hawks drew the first heat advantage after a couple of mistakes by the home riders allowing Grange and Cossey a comfortable 6-4. The home team hit back in formidable style reeling off seven heats wins on the bounce to dominate their opponents early on, so much so that Hethersett claimed the inside grids from heat seven onwards and for the rest of the match. This though had little effect as the home team just saw this as another challenge and were in no mood for charity and were ruthless when the opposition made any mistakes.
Captain Josh Brooke lead by example and was only beaten by a team mate to rack another maximum ,while Leon Mower continued his impressive start to the season with a master class on how to team ride. It was young Ben Harvey who caught the eye the most and really came of age today and is starting to believe he does belong in this company; no more so than in heat six when Chambers and Buxton tried to sandwich the young Ipswich rider round the opening bend but he was able to muscle his way out and have the mindset to pick up Buxton and sit him for four laps allowing his team mate Lewis Roberts to get away to complete a 6-4 advantage.
Hethersett of cause can point to a few absentees this afternoon in Myhill and Williamson, but would they made that much difference to the final outcome who knows. For the home team Lauren Jacobs rode her first match this season and clearly is still a little rusty at the moment but can be pleased with her performance and will only get stronger as the season progresses.
So its Ipswich Whirlwinds who tonight top the table and on this evidence will take some stopping in their pursue of that league title.