Sandwell 84 Poole 88 (Premier League)

This was a match Sandwell could have won, and aftera great start, they threw it away, letting Poole off the hook in the second part of the meeting. The Lions started well and  after 5 heats were 10 points up at 29-19, but two heats of madness, let Poole back in to the match. Heat 6 saw first Jack Harrold get excluded for cutting across the inside of the track, in the re-run Scott Millward was exclude for the same offence, which left Chris Roberts and Greg Giluchowski to ride round alone to take a 7-0, heat 7 and Poole took a 6-3 to bring the scores level, after Jamie Ball was also excluded for cutting across the inside of the track. This made the scores 32 points each and at the interval the scores were 42 all. The second part of the fixture saw Poole move into a three point lead with two races to go, only to that cut back to one with one to go. The last race saw a great battle for places until Scott Millward fell in the second lap and could not remount in time before being lapped, this left Poole with a 6-3 heat win and the match. Lewis Bates and Lee Smith were the Sandwell's top two with 18 and Jack Harrold gave them top class backing, but unforunately Sandwell did not have luck on their side, something which all sides need to win matches, as a bonus at this level.

Sandwell:
Lewis Bates 18, Lee Smith 18, Jack Harrold 13+1 Errol Thaw 9+2, Scott Millward 8, Jamie Ball 7, Leighton Bates 6, David Ball 5+1.

Poole:
Greg Giluchowski 18+1, Tom Reed 18+1, Tom Colling 12, Pete Young 11, Chris Roberts 11+1, Sam Hearn 9+1, Matt Mildon 8, Luke Armes 1.

Referee: Roger Dainty.

The Combination saw a great battle between the young members of both sides, with Ricki Johnson showing yet again just how good a rider he is shaping up to be. Both sides have some very good riders, who given time could well be the next generation of Premiership stars. Sandwell 62+11 Poole 66 (Combination League)

Sandwell:
Ricki Johnson 16, Steve Brookes 11, Jim Palmer 10+1, Luke Brookes 7+1, Harley Grosvenor 7+1, Josh Hill 5, Dan Forbes 4, Ryan Guest 2.

Poole:
Matt Mildon 14, Luke Armes 12+1, Alex Lane 12+1, Will Briston 10+1, Arron Smith 9+1, Kyran Yeatman 9.

Referee: Roger Dainty.

SUNSHINE AGAIN, BUT LIONS LOSE

If the sun keeps shining in Sandwell on Sundays the Lions will have to change their name to the sunny Sandwell Lions. The sun may have come out but the Stoke went home with the points, with Sandwell four points up after 4 heats a home win looked on the cards, but by the interval the points were level, and the Lions went one up in the first heat after the break, and then slip a point behind in the next heat and slowly Stoke moved on to win by 9 points, final score being Sandwell 83 Stoke 92. Ricki Johnson was top Lions scorer, out pointing both Scott Millward and Lee Smith, while Errol Thaw, Lewis Bates and his brother Leighton and Richard Harrison always looked able to step up a gear when needed. Referee Roger Dainty had a busy afternoon, excluding Matt Smith, twice for moving at the tapes, Simon Mundon for the same offence, also Scott millward for crossing the inside line, and poor Steve Brookes for a fall, which caused the race to be stop. Steve's fall was very heavy, and looked painful, but after a few minutes he was up, and had a big smile on his face, in pain or not he still rode in one more race. Matt Smith a rider with so much talent, but he must start to control his temper, because this lets him down, and then affects his riding, but until he gets his anger under control, he will find he will continue to get on the wrong side of referees.

Sandwell:
Ricki Johnson 16, Scott Millward 15, Lee Smith 15+3, Luke Brookes 10+1, Harley Grosvenor 9, Steve Brookes 7, Matt Smith 7, Dan Forbes 4+1

Stoke:
Errol Thaw 18+1, Lewis Bates 17+1, Leighton Bates 15+1, Richard Harrison 13, Simon Mundon 12+1, Adam Ellis 10+1, Jaden Phillips 4, Cameron Whalley 3.

Sandwell got some revenge in the Division two match with a 71-59 victory.

Sandwell II:
Dan Forbes 14+1, Ricki Johnson 14, Jim Palmer 12+1, Luke Brookes 9+2, Ryan Guest 9+2, Harley Grosvenor 7+3, Brandon Taylor 6.

Stoke II:
Simon Mundon 16, Lewis Bates 15, Ruben Pope 8, Tom Whalley 8+1, Cameron Whalley 7, Jaden Phillips 5+1.

LIONS IN SUNSHINE WIN, BUT ONLY JUST

Sandwell 88 Ipswich 85

At last the sun came out on a sunday of a Sandwell home match., and this showed in the size of the crowd. But on the track the was almost no meeting,has the match referee failed to turn up. Some quick talking between the two teams, and Roger Dainty stepped in and save the day and the match. Lewis Bates shoot out of the tapes in the first heat as he did in his next four rides to take a well deserved maximum, and with Jamie Ball taking third the Lion were away to a 6-4 win. But the next heat Lee Smith was excluded for moving at the tapes, and although Errol Thaw won the heat, Ipwich pulled a point back. In the third heat Ipswich moved in front with a 6-4, heat 4 and Sandwell took a step in front only for Ipswich to pull the points level in the then Jack Harrold was excluded, at the interval Sandwell had move back into a two point lead. In the Interval Jamie Ball had to pull out of meeting after a fall in his third ride, with back and knee problems. In the first heat after the break Sandwell moved into a seven point lead, with Ipswich's Josh Brookes being excluded. In heat 12 David Ball found himself out of the race, after being excluded, in heat 13 the visitors put three points back with Jack Harrod again being pulled out by the ref, heat 14 saw Jordan Stant being excluded with the Lions six points in front, with Errol Thaw moving at the tapes in heat 17, the
last started with Sandwell two points up, and everything to ride for in the last heat for both sides, but Lee Smith got away and try as Ipswich did he stayed in front and the Lions were home to their first double of the season. A great afternoon's racing with plenty of talking points.

Premier League

Sandwell: 88
Lewis Bates 20, Scott Millward 15, Errol Thaw 14,Lee Smith 12, David Ball 9+1, Jack Harrold 8, Leighton Bates 6+1, Jamie Ball 4.

Ipswich: 85
Dan Chambers 14+2, Leon Mower 14+1, Jamie Chittock 13+1, Richard Williamson 13+3, Jose Brookes 11+1, Dan Pike 10, Jordan Stant 5 George Solomon 5+1
Referee; Roger Dainty.

The Combination Match saw Ipswich take some revenge by beating the home team by 73 points to 53. The Visitors were really up for this match and were quicker away from the tapes, and looked far more match fit than the home side. Apart from Ricky Johnson, who was excluded in his first race, and came a fighting second in his next too Ashley Hill before finishing with three wins, the sandwell side were very much of the pace, but another day another battle, and it may go the other way.

Combination:

Sandwell: 53
Ricki Johnson 15, Phil Hemming 10, Steve Brooks 7, Harley Grosvenor 7+1, Ryan Guest 7, Josh Hill 7.

Ipswich: 73
Richard Felget 11, Matt Hill 11+1, Charlie Rumbold 10, Will Clark 9+2, Ashley Hill 9, Lewis Roberts 9+2, Barry Copping 7+1, Lauren Jacobs 7.
Referee: Roger Dainty.

Wednesfield just move on

Wednesfield won the toss, and took gate 1 and 3, and then set about winning the match, they went into a 4 point lead in heat two, moving on to a 12 point lead after heat 8, and remained that far in front at the end of the match. Sandwell's young side never gave up the chase, but with the Aces blend of young and experience they were always a little too hot for the Lions. Lee Smith fell at the start of heat two but picked hiself up and finished third, before winning his next three and then finishing behind team mate Scott Millward in heat 17. Scott pushed Mark Griffiths all the way in heat 7, but had to settled for second place to the Wednesfield man. Ricki Johnson who the day before won the Under 16 round of the British Youth and Junior meeting at Swindon, once again gave his all and finished with 14 points, and  Matt Smith was once again in top form. But in Lee Aris, Mark Griffiths and Chris Jewkes the Aces had the power to drive forward all the time. Midland League.

Sandwell 85
Scott Millward 17, Lee Smith 17+1, Ricki Johnson 14+1 Matt Smith 12, Luke Brookes 9, Steve Brookes 8+2, Harley Grenvenor 5, Jack Rowley 3.

Wednesfield 95
Lee Aris 15, Mark Griffiths 15+1, Chris Jewkes 14+2, Roger Cox 13, Tony DeLeon 11+1, Steve Mullinder 11+2, Matt Haddock 10+2, Mick Aris 6+2

The rain which fell all afternoon continue as the second division match started, and the youngsters of both teams put a wonderful display, with several falls and lots of smiles, this match was ridden in a good hearted manner.

Division Two

Sandwell 68
Ricki Johnson 18+2, Jack Rowley 18, Luke Brookes 11+1 Josh Hill 9+1, Harley Grosvenor 8, Ryan Guest 4.

Wednesfield 62
Troy Allen 15+1, Jordan Holdcroft 14, Sam Parr 10+2 Reanna Bradley 7, Harry Everiss 6+1, Courtney Aris 5, Aeron O'Brien 5+1

Monarchs move on to Semi-finals

It seems that Sandwell meet Leicester almost every year in the British Team Championship, and maybe it should become an annual event, but on a nice sunny afternoon with some good racing, worries about cup draws are put to back of the mind. This was a match of two teams and a referee. Leicester with their all powerful, very experienced side against a Sandwell side of youth, and promise, and a referee who made some odd decisions in the last few heats of the match. So all in all it was a normal afternoons cycle speedway. For Leicester Adam Peck went through the match, with very little trouble taking a 20 point maximum. backed up by the top five of the Leicester side. Sandwell were led by Lee Smith, who scored 18 points and received backing from Scott Millward and brother Matt. Heat 10 saw Scott Millward push Adam Peck all the way for four laps, but Peck never gave an inch, and the same in heat 12, when Peck met Lee Smith, Lee like Scott never gave up the fight but Peck was always in front and one step ahead of the Sandwell Star. Leicester took the lead in the second heat and never looked like losing it or the match, in fact Sandwell had the first rider home in only six of the eighteen races, Lee Smith winning 3, Matt Smith 2, and Scott Millward 1.

Sandwell: (77)
L. Smith 18, S. Millward 16+1, M. Smith 15, S. Brookes 9+1, D. Ball 6, R. Johnson 6, J. Rowley 4, L. Brookes 3.

Leicester: (101)
A. Peck 20, P. Howells 16+1, L. Yelland 15+3, C. Jarvis 14+1, J. Ashford 12+1, C. Marchant 10+1, K. Burns 8, M. Skinner 6+1

Another defeat by the Aces Last Sunday (3 July), Sandwell were yet at Wednesfield Aces, Ashmore Park, home. This time in a Premier League match and the Lions pushed the Aces very hard they still went down, but this time only by one point.

Wednesfield 90:
Lee Aris 18, Dylan Radcliffe 16, Mark Griffiths 14, Ben Higham 13, Chris Jewkes 11, Terry Norman 7, Stuart Bentley 6, Luke Draisey 5.

Sandwell Lions 89:
Lee Smith 17, Lewis Bates 16, Matt Smith 16, Scott Millward 10, Jack Harrold 10, Errol Thaw 9, Jamie Ball 7, David Ball 4

Combination League
Wednesfield Aces 78:
Matt Haddock 14, Jordon Holdcroft 13, Troy Allen 13, Tom Haddock 12, Nick Perry 11, Roger Cox 10, Steve Mullinder 5.

Sandwell Lions 51:
Ricky Johnson 15, Phil Hemmings 7, Steve Brookes 7, Luke Brookes 6, James Chattin 6, Dan Forbes 5, Josh Hill 5.

In the Premier Match Race Championship, Sandwell's Lee Smith challenged the Holder, Lee Aris, but the British was as always in tip top form on his own track, and ran out the winner, your chance will come again young Lee.

STARS SHINE BRIGHTLY
Sandwell 73 Sheffield 97

Some days are good days and so are not so good, well Sheffield Stars found Sandwell Lions on one of their not so good days, and as Sheffield have a number of their team who over the last few seasons, have ridden on the Tividale track more than once a season, it ended a easy victory, by the look of the scores, but the Stars did not have things all their ways. After the first heat finished 5 each, heat Two saw Sandwell move into a 11-9 lead, but after Scott Millward was excluded for moving at the tapes in the third heat, Sandwell fell behind and were never again to lead the scores, at the Interval scores stood at 41-47. After the restart, Sandwell started to look like they should after all make so leeway, and by the end of heat 12 only point serrated the two sides, and the Stars slowly pulled away, but it was the last three heats which brough the Lions to their knees. Heat 16, Jack Harrold was excluded, leaving Matt Smith to battle hard and just fail to take first place, which went to Ryan Hoyland, Sandwell were now ten points down, in the next Heat both Sandwell riders were excluded, first Lewis Bates for moving at the tapes, and in the restart Errol Thaw was excluded for in the referee's words "Ramming". This left Sheffield with a 7-0, and so the the final race of the match, Lee Smith was excluded for moving at the tapes, and in the re-run Scott Mill ward suffered the same fate. So the match ended with a lot of if's and but's, but the last two will be remembered for the two seven nothins, when the match was really a great afternoon's entertainment. Jono Birks was the man of the match, being unbeaten all afternoon. For Sandwell the Smith brother's Matt (13) and Lee (12) were the best for Sandwell.

Sandwell:
Matt Smith 13, Lee Smith 12, Lewis Bates 11+2, Errol Thaw 10, Jamie Ball 9+2, Jack Harrold 9, Scott Millward 6, David Ball 3+1

Sheffield:
Jono Birks 20, Andy Angell 17+2, Leigh Cossey 13 Lee Grange 13+1, Nathan Groves 13+1, Ryan Hyland 13, Jamie Langton 4, Mark Winwood 4.

Referee: Colin Simmons.

Combination Match
Sandwell 62 Sheffield 64
After all the excitment of the first team match, the Combination match looks to be a quiet affair, no way three more exclusions for moving at the tapes, with the lead changing hands first to Sandwell then to Sheffield, some great racing with Sheffield running out winner by two points.

Sandwell:
Jim Palmer 18+1, Ricki Johnson 16, Steve Brookes 12+1, Dan Forbes 7, Josh Hill 3+1 Harley Gresvenor 1.

Sheffield:
Aiden Owen 14, Adam Watson 13+1, Richard Hudson 11+1, Zak Smithwaite 11, Vicki Brown 8+1, Laura Watson 7+3.
Referee: Jamie Ball.

LIONS MOVE ON TO NEXT ROUND

Last sunday (12 June), On a cold and very, very wet afternoon two teams met too ride their tie in the British Team Championship, and both sets of riders deserved full praise for turning up and riding in the rain which fell all afternoon, and got worse as the match went on. It was not an afternoon of great racing, but it still
had its stars, Lewis Bates for Stoke, showed once again how happy he is on Sandwell's track, and Lee Smith Sandwell young International, who is having a great season, showed that the rain could not stop him from scoring well.

But take nothing away from anyone of the riders they all did their best, and on another day the scores may have been different, but Sandwell went through to the next round after winning by 93 points to 75. I think that the bath, may have the place all the riders headed for after the match, if only to wash away the Sandwell mud.

Sandwell:
Lee Smith 16, David Ball 15, Scott Millward 14, Matt Smith 14, Steve Brooks 11, Jim Palmer 11, Ricki Johnson 9, Luke Brookes 3

Stoke:
Lewis Bates 20, Richard Harris 15, Errol Thaw 14
Leighton Bates 10, Simon Munden 10, Lance Bates 6.

LIONS GO SO CLOSE

Last Sunday (22 May) Sandwell made the trip to Leicester and came close to pulling off the surprise result of the day in the Premier League, before losing by 87 points to 82 against a very strong home side. The match started Sandwell's way with both Leicester riders being excluded and the Lions getting away to a flying start winning 7-0, then in heat 5 Leicester had another rider excluded and it looked like being the Lions day, but in heat 9 both Sandwell riders were excluded and things started to go Leicester's way in the second half of the match.

Sandwell:
Matt Smith 17, Lewis Bates 12, Jack Harold 12, Scott Millward 12, Lee Smith 12, Erol Thaw 10, Ricki Johnson 7, Leighton Bates 2.

In the second team match, Leicester were just powerful and run out winners by 83 points to 43.

Sandwell:
Ricki Johnson 14, Josh Hill 7, Harley Grosvenor 5, Dan Forbes 5, Jack Rowley 5, Luke Brookes 4, Steve Brookes 3.

Next Home match is on Sunday 12th June, when Sandwell take on Stoke in a British Team Championship match 2 pm start.

Monarchs Turn The Screw

Birmingham turned the screw on a weak Sandwell Lions side and went away with the midland league points after winning by 104 points to 63 points on Sunday (15 May). All but one Birmingham rider scored double figures, having got into the lead in the match, in heat five and never lost it again before running out winners. Sandwell’s Lee Smith did his best to dent the visitors lead, winning four races to top score with 18 points. First set back for the Lions was Matt Smith, who received a hand injury in clash with Birmingham's Chris Timms in heat six, but after some treatment, returned to win his next ride and scored eight points, next set back was to Mark Newey who after riding well in his first two rides, injured his knee in a first bend pile-up in his third ride and had to pull out of the rest of the meeting.

Sandwell:
Lee Smith 18, Ricki Johnson 12, Jack Rowley 10, Mick Evans 8, Matt Smith 8, Mark Newey 7.

Birmingham:
Mark Winwood 17, Chris Timms 16, Paul Timms 15, Marcus Wadhams 15, Paul Heard 14, Andy James 11, Dominic Rychardski 9, Dan Groves 7.

In the Division two match Sandwell gained some revenge with a 90 points to 40 win.

Sandwell II:
H. Grosvenor 17, Jack Rowley 17, Ricki Johnson 15, Scott Millward 15, Matt Smith 14, Lee Smith 12.

Birmingham II
Ewan Hancock 8, Ryan Hexley 8, Nat Timms 8, Nick Rowe 7, Ryan Winwood 4, Reece Winwood 3, Jack Lever 2.

Sandwell Lions 96 East Newport 82

On a sunny and not too windy Sunday afternoon, Sandwell pick up more useful Premier League points, with a home win over East Newport. In an exciting and entertaining match, both sides put up a good and fair battle for the points, with only two excludes in the match one for each side, and both for moving at the tapes.

Re-starts were the order of the day with several riders finding the lack of spare on the first bend a problem, but no damage was done to any of the riders.

Ben Mould stood out for East Newport with his only defeat coming in heat two to Sandwell's rider in form Lee Smith, Lee found himself in a spot of trouble in his second ride when he ended up in the fence coming out the second bend on the second lap, when he tangled with both newport riders, but he was up and ready to
take his place in the re-run, all be it in some pain.

Lee went on to record two more wins and a second in the second half of the match, and was glad to get in the bath that night to soak the problems of the day away.

Matt Smith along with Erol Thaw and Lewis Bates back up Lee with 14 points each, these Stoke lads just get better with age.

Sandwell:
Lee Smith 16, Lewis Bates 14+4, Matt Smith 14, Erol Thaw 14+1, Jack Harrold 13+1, Scott Millward 12+1, Leighton Bates 7+1, Ricki Johnson 6.

East Newport:
Ben Mould 19, Craig Nethercott 13, Dan Bock 10+1, Chris Davies 10 +1, Arron Herbert 10 +1,Neil Power 10, Nicki Evans 6, AAron Hughes 4.
Referee: Andy Moody

Sandwell 74 East Newport 89
The Combination match saw East Newport pull off a good win over the home team. Sandwell scoring power was in the Matt Smith, Scott Millward and Ricki Johnson trio, Scott taking maximum points, and Matt being unbeaten by any of the East Newport riders.

Phil Hemming continued too live up too his club name of "flip" finding himself on deck two or three times in the match, the worse being his crash with Matt Davies in heat ten, which saw the Newport rider excluded, and Phil sitting in the fence holding his back, but once again after a short rest, his was back on his bike too win the re-run and come out again three heats later to win the last heat. Another rider who was glad in get into the bath that night.

Sandwell:
Scott Millward 20, Matt Smith 18+2, Ricki Johnson 15+1 Phil Hemming 12+1, Jack Rowley 5, Josh Hill 4.

East Newport:
Corey Burnell-Jones 10+2, Matt Davies 10, Ethan Greenslade 10+2, Joe Avery 7+3, Josh Davies 5+1, Rob Absolom 7,Colin Wilby 3.
Referee: Tony Bowen

BAUGH TROPHY FOR JEWKES
On a sunny but windy afternoon at Sandwell's Tividale track Chris Jewkes was a popular and worthy winner of the John Baugh Memorial Trophy, in front of the Baugh family. Andy Angell was unbeaten in the qualifying first part of the meeting, and looked a very good bet to take the Trophy, Chris finished on 18 points having taken second place to Angell and Sandwell's own Lee Smith. In the interval both Chris Jewkes and Lewis Osborne were presented with a trophy each to mark their having been present in all 10 staging of this Trophy Event.

Qualifying points scores were:
Andy Angell 20, Chris Jewkes 18, Lee Smith 16, Lewis Osborne 14, Jamie Brown 14, Ben Mould 14, Matt Smith 13, Mark Carmichael 12, Jack Harrold 12, Paul Heard 11, Joe Kemp 11, Scott Millward 10, Luke Draisey 9, Danny Garner 8, Ricki Johnson 8, Robert Bandosz 7.

Robert Bandosz who travelled down from Scotland stayed the night in this fair part of the world, only too find himself with no points after two races having been excluded in both of them, so he started his third well behind the pack, he did recover and finished the meeting with the smile back on his face.

In break has the points were sorted out, the two Baugh brothers put on a match race, which finished in a dead-heat and were cheered round the track in their lap of honour. Nice to see both of them back on the track in the sport which the whole Baugh family loved.

So on to the finals,
Chris rode as always keeping of trouble which the other three got into, with falls, bangs etc, which at one time saw all on their backs on the track, and as they sorted themselves out they found Chris had won the trophy. The action was not over with Andy and Lee needing a run-off for second place, which Lee won leaving Andy Angell looked at one stage, like me would take the trophy undeated, such is cycle speedway.

A. Final:
Chris Jewkes (First), Lee Smith (Second), Andy Angell (Third), Lewis Osborne (Fourth)

B. Final:
Ben Mould 1st, Matt Smith 2nd, Jack Harrold 3rd, Jamie Brown 4th

C. Final:
Paul Heard 1st, Mark Carmichael 2nd, Scott Millward 3rd, Joe Kemp 4th.

D.Final:
Luke Draisey 1st, Robert Bandosz 2nd, Danny Garner 3rd, Ricki Johnson 4th.

Referee: Albert Bentley.

A great afternoon racing, 37 exciting races, super set of finals, well done once again Pete Dalley.

ACES TOO HIGH FOR LIONS (27/03/11)

Sandwell Lions 83 Wednesfield Aces 9

On a cold but dry Sunday afternoonat Sandwell's Tividale home, and after over coming several major problems in the winter months, Sandwell rode their first Premeir League match of the new season, and even this match was not without its problems, as the power supply went down in the second part of the senior match.But although Wednesfield Aces, got the upper hand from the first heat, they still had work hard to cross the line as winners.

With Ben Dickenson being excluded for moving at the tapes, helped the Aces start with a heat win, and so they move forward from there, and with losing Matt Smith in heat 7 for the same problem did not help the Lions in their battle, to get on level terms, but a very competitive match was enjoyed by both sides.

Young Scott Millward showed why so many people have talked of a bright future for this lad who just gets better with every match. Lee Smith who is one of the mainstays of this lions side, also showed that he is now starting to turn in the scores the club as aways known he would, and with Lewis Bates backing these two, Sandwell look like they may have a better season this time round in the top league.

Lee Aris showed he still knows his way around the tight Sandwell track. He received backing from both Dylan Radcliffe and Dave Jewkes, and this showing Wednesfield have a very solid look, which could see them once again pushing for honours come September.

Sandwell:
Scott Millward 17, Lewis Bates 16, Lee Smith 16+1, Matthew Smith 9, Errol Thaw 8+1, Leighton Bates 6, Ben Dickenson 6.

Wednesfield:
Lee Aris 17+2, Dylan Radcliffe 17+1, Chris Jewkes 16+1, Matt Beheddel 14+1, Luke Draisey 10, Mark Griffiths 7+1, Ben Higham 7, Terry Norman 7.
Referee: Bob Prince.

As in the first team match, Sandwell drop behind from the first heat, and never got back on level terms with the Aces Second team. With Matt Smith winning his first heat, and then taking a fell in his second, after which he took no further part in the meeting, The Lions their backs to the wall, before losing by 51 points to 85.

One plus point for Sandwell was Michael Rowley riding in his first ever match, after taking a couple of riding to get the feel of the track in his last two rides he showed great promise, and will be another young Lion to watch.

Sandwell II:
Ricki Johnson 14+1, Jim Palmer 12, Jose Hill 7, Jack Rowley 7, Michael Rowley 7, Matt Smith 4.

Wednesfield II:
Stuart Benley 14+1, Tony Deleon 14+2, Tom Haddock 14+2, Matt Haddock 11, Roger Cox 9+2, Mick Aris 9+2, Courtney Aris 7+2.
Referee: Lee Smith.

FIRST DEFEAT OF NEW SEASON

The new Midland League started on Sunday (20th March) with home defeat for Sandwell Caterline Commerical Kitchens Lions to the powerful Leicester Monarchs by 96 points to 82.

The Lions were behind for the start and never got on level terms with Leicester. The Smith brothers battled hard as did Mark Newry but they did not have the back up which the solid Monarchs had, in fact they only took the race points in two heats of the 18 races.

Sandwell:
Lee Smith 16, Mark Newey 15, Matt Smith 13+2, Jim Palmer 12, David Ball 11+2, Ricki Johnson 8, Jack Rowley 6, Josh Hill 1.

Leicester:
Lukas Nowacki 19, Kev Burns 13, Carl Jarvis 13+1, Craig Marchant 13+2, Mick Skinner 12+1, Ryan Hoyland 12, Matt Hartson 9+1, Nicki Whitehead 5+1.

In the two Second Division matches, first against the Lions and then
again the Monarchs, sandwell held to win both matches:

Sandwell II: (68)
Josh Hill 19+1, Ricki johnson 16, Jack Rowley 15+1, Jim Palmer 8, Matt Smith 6, David Ball 5.

Leicester Lions: (61)
Liam Doughty 14, Luke Hartson 11, Luke Whitehead 11, Liam Wood 9, Chloe Whitehead 6+3, Matt Barratt 5+1, Steven Sanders 4+2.

Sandwell II: (69)
Matt Smith 16, Jim Palmer 15, Lee Smith 14+2, Ricki Johnson 12+1, Jack Rowley 9, Josh Hill 3.

Leicester Monarchs II: (60)
Charley Cooper 11+2, Joe Kemp 11+1, Lee Kemp 11+1, Lucy Whitehead 8, Loren Davies 6, Ashley Doughty 6+2, Leo Davies 4, Liam Davies 3+1.

40's AND 50's FOR HUBBLE

Dennis Hubble, won both the over 40's A. Final, and the over 50's A. final on Saturday afternoon (24 July) at the Sandwell Lions Tividale track, after a great afternoon's racing. The oldest rider on view was the young at heart Chic Mackie, who says he is the oldest rider still riding regularity in league cycle-speedway at the age of 72. In the A final of the over 40's the was a very bad looking collision, when Mick Skinner and Phil Hemming came together going into the first bend, both riders went over their handlebars before hitting the ground, but after a few minutes both riders were back on their feet and both took their places in the re-run.

Over 60's A. final
Colin Wheeler, Dave Baxter, Chic Mackie.

Over 50's A final
Dennis Hubble, Mick Skinner, Paul Timms, Phil Hemming

Over 50's B final
Mike Burgess, Colin Wheeler, Fred Rothwell, Dave Baxter
Over 40's A. Final
Dennis Hubble, Norman Verson, Mick Skinner, Phil Hemming

Over 40's B. final
Mark Griffith, Mike Burgess, Colin Wheeler, Paul Timms.

LIONS DOUBLE VICTORY AT WEDNESFIELD
On Sunday (18 July) the lions took all the points in both the Division One and Division two matches.

Division One:
Wednesfield 87 Sandwell 93.
Lee Smith 19, Matt Smith 17+1, Jamie Ball 14+1, Tom Haddock 14,
David Ball 12+2, Ricki Johnson 7, Peter Clark 6, Matt Haddock 4+1.

Division Two:
Wednesfield 40 Sandwell 90
Ricki Johnson 20, Peter Clark 15+1, Matt Haddock 15+1,
Jamie Ball 14+4, David Ball 13+3,Tom Haddock 13+3.

TOO EASY FOR LIONS

Sandwell Lions found the going easy against a poor East Park Wolves side on Thursday night (8th July) in a Midland League match, winning by 113 points to 62. Lee Smith was undefeated by any of visitors, in his score of 18 points, following his partner Dave Ball home in two of his five rides, Mark Newey and Scott Millward both scored 18 points.

An under par Lee Aris was the best East Park rider taking 13 points with the only other double figure scorer for the visitors being Luke Draisey with 10. East Park are a young team and I am sure in the coming years we will see a much better Wolves team, but building a strong team takes time, as Sandwell can tell you. But for once this season the young Lions took control of the match early on and went on to win.

One of the highlights of this match was the return to something like his best form of Tom Haddock. While Jamie Ball found the going hard, but with more training he too will return to somewhere near his best form.

Sandwell Lions:
Lee Smith 18+2, Mark Newey 18+1, Scott Millward 18, Matt Smith 16+3, David Ball 15+1, Tom Haddock 14+2, Phil Hemming 10+2, Jamie Ball 4+1.

East Park Wolves:
Lee Aris 13+1, Luke Draisley 10, Stuart Bentley 9, Danny Garner 8, Liam Rich 8, Steve Guy 6, Jordon Rich 4, Tara Warren 4+1.

BY&J Championship, Sandwell 5June 2010

Under 8's
A.final
Kyle Bell (Wed), Chardonnay White (Wed), Scott Prince (Bret), Josh Whetton (East P)
B.Final
Ryan Winwood (Birm)

Under 10's
A.Final
James Harriman (Wed), Nrall Cleaver (Bret), Callum Thomas (Bret), Dan Prince (Bret)
B.Final
Joe Guy (East P), Kurtis Evans (Wed), Jason Cleaver (Bret), Jake Gray (Bret)
C.Final
Brandon Wiremaden (Sand), Callum Downs (East P), Chloe Whitehead (Lei), Reece Winwood (Birm)
D. Final
Bradley Sellick (East P), Amy Jones (Wed)

Under 12's
A Final
Lee Kemp (Bret), Sharna Cox (Wed), Kyle Roberts (Bret), Luke Whitehead (Leic)
B.Final
Brandon Whetton (East Park), Matthew Hambridge (Bret), Courtney Aris (Wed), Callum Downs (East P)
C.Final
Connor Wilson (Bret), Alex Aris (Wed)

Under 14's
A.Final
Liam Johnson Rich (East P), Matt Haddock (Sand), Jordan Holdcroft (Wed), Harry Everiss (Wed)
B.Final
Troy Allen (Wed), Jamie Whetton (East P), Jonathan Cox (Sand), Connor Dyke (Wed)

Under 16's
A.Final
Scott Millward (Sand), Matt Smith (Sand), Joe Kemp (Bret), Ricki Johnson (Sand)
B. Final
Daniel Gamer (East P), Micky Bassi (Wed)

Under 18'S
A. Final
Luke Draisey (Wed), Ben Harper (Wed), Josh Hill (Sand), Jamie Burke (East P)
B. Final:
John Russel (Wed)
Girls:

Tom Reed Wins Again

Tom Reed (Poole) won the John Baugh Trophy for the second time on Spring Bank Holiday Monday afternoon (31 May) at Sandwell's Tividale track. The meeting which is an annual event in the Sandwell calender, was once again up to the high standard of riding that this meeting has come to expect, and it  was action from heat one right through to the re-run off for the title. At the end of the first part of the programme (the qualifying heats), the front runners for the trophy were Lee Smith (18 points), Andy Angell (17), Paul Heard and Tom Reed (both 16). In the first heat of the A final with these four going all out to secure the points to take into the next heat, Paul Heard took a very bad fall on the third bend, which resulted in a twist knee, which was too painful for him to continue and he retired from the meeting, and his chance of winning the trophy went on the back burner for another. In the next heat Lee Smith got excluded and this disappointment was leave him points short because in he won his next two races to leave him on 10points from his three A final rides, and Sandwell's chances of a home winner went with him. For Tom and Andy the racing just got harder and harder, as either one gave an inch, and both hitting the deck in the two remaining races. both ending on 12 points, and so a run-off was the needed to find a winner. In the last race of the afternoon both riders shot from the tapes with first one and then the other taking the lead, and as both came out of the last turn, they both hit the track with Tom Reed getting back to his feet, just in front of Andy Angell to take the race and win the trophy.

A. Final scores:
Tom Reed 12, Andy Angell 12, Lee Smith 10, Paul Heard 0.

B. Final:
Mark Carmicheal 12, after run-off Darius Pilas 12, Lewis Osborne 11, TomHaddock 4.

C. Final:
Chris Jewkes 12, Daniel Osborne 11, Scott Millward 10, Ben Mould 7

D. Final:
Matt Smith 14 after run-off Dylan Radcliffe 14, Ben Higham 8, Jack Lush 8.

Referee: A. Bentley

Before the meeting started Young Matt Haddock did a lap of the track and showed off his under 13's Trophy to the applauding crowd.

Lions can't hold Aces

Sunday afternoon (16 May) at the Tividale Sports Centre, Sandwell Lions fail to hold the Wednesfield Aces in this Midland League match.

The Lions took the lead in the first heat when Matt Turley was excluded for moving at the tapes, so they had a one point lead which they kept in the second. This heat was one of the best of the afternoon has Tom Haddock and Scott Doherty found a four lap battle for second place, which was won by the Aces rider.

It was not until heat heat six that Wednesfield took a lead which they kept until the last heat,slowly increasing their hold in the second half of match until they won by 94 points to 80.

Matt Smith was the meetings top scorer with 19 points his only defeat coming in the first heat to Chris Jewkes. the match saw several exclusions with Lee Smith and Peter Clark both going back to the pits for moving at the tapes, and Jamie Ball chain coming off what a good position in heat 15.

Sandwell:
Matt Smith 19, Scott Millward 17, Tom Haddock 11, Lee Smith 10, Jamie Ball 9, David Ball 8+1, Jim Palmer 7+2, Peter Clark 4.
Wednesfield:
Chris Jewkes 18, Mark Griffiths 17+1, Scott Doherty 15+2, Sam Smith 14+1, Roger Cox 11+1, Tony De Leon 9, Matt Turley 6, Mick Aris 4+1.

The Second Division match was marred by the accident in heat three which resulted in young Reanna Brindley being taken to hospital for a spinal examination, everyone at Sandwell wish her well.

Scott Millward, Matt Smith, Matt Haddock and Jim Palmer carried on as they had done the day before all top scoring for Sandwell, with Charlie Ellitts, Mikey Bassi and John Russell being the best for the young Aces side.

One rider to catch the eye was newcomer Adam Rowley riding in his first ever match, he found out where the safety fence was in the pre-match warm-up, and just missed it several times in the match.

Sandwell II: 76-5
Matt Haddock 19, Jim Palmer 15+1, Josh Hill 15, Scott Millward 14+2
Peter Clark 9, Adam Rowley 4.
Wednesfield II: 54
Charlie Ellitts 13+1, Mikey Bassi 12+1, John Russell 10, Harry Everiss

YOUNG LIONS CHAMPIONS

At Wednesfield on Saturday (15 May) the Sandwell Lions under 16's team won the British team championship for that age group. In their semi-final they beat off the other four teams scoring 56 points to Stockport's 50, Horspath 44, Wednesfield 25 and Exeter 22.

Scott Millward scored 16 points, Matt Smith 12, Matt Haddock 11, Jim Palmer 9, Ricki Johnson 8. so they moved on to the Final along with Stockport to meet the winners of the other semi-final Poole and Newport.

In the final they were never in trouble being front with their scoring in every heat and finishing seven points in front of Poole by scoring 49 points to Poole's 42 with Stockport finishing on 38 and Newport on 29.

Sandwell scorers in the final were; Matt Smith 15, Scott Millward 13, Matt Haddock 10, Jim Palmer 7, Ricki Johnson 4.

So Sandwell Lions were Champions and with young riders like this the club should have a great future, In riders like Scott Millward, Matt Smith and Jim Palmer who are already showing their skills in the Midland League First Division, while Ricki Johnson and Matt Haddock (who was 13 on the day before) are riding in the Second Division team and are looking to make the next step up to the First Division team. Matt Haddock will next week be riding in the Under 13's

THREE LIONS DO WELL (12th April 2010)

On Saturday (11 April), Three Sandwell Lions, changed their club Lions for English Lions, and rode well in Test matches against Wales, at Filton (nr Bristol).

In the senior Test England beat Wales by 102 points to 75.

With young Lee Smith showing why so many tip him for big things in the sport, scoring 13 points, winning one race and following his partner home in two others, and helping his country pile up the points against the Dragons.

In the Young England match England again won this time by 104 points to Young Wales 74. Matt Smith was the top scorer for the English Lions with 17 points, to show that his brother is not the only Smith with lots of promise.

Scott Millward also scored 11 points for this side, once again another top class showing by one of Sandwell up and coming young Stars. They had three lions on their shirts and these three Sandwell Lions shone Brightly on Saturday.