JUST A PERFECT DAY
Hammers claim British Team Title after 53yrs
After 53 years Horspath have finally got their hands on the sports most prestigous
trophy, following an awesome display at Eaton Park, Norwich where they defeated the defending champions Leicester Monarchs
95-81 in the Final.
The day started with Leicester beating Sandwell in the first semi Horspath then disposed of an under
strength Poole Comets 113-60 in their semi, Poole's cause not helped by the match ban to Aaron Lowey, with four other top
riders missing they simply couldn't match Horspath, we have much too much respect for the Poole club and management to gloat
over this result but it was a hurdle that had to be overcome to get to the ultimate goal.
Hammers semi final scorers were Shaun Rudman 11+1, Lewis Osborne 17+1, Steve Harris 17+3, Chris
Osborne 11+1, Danny Harper 14+4, Mark Boaler 20, Mike Morgans 11, Rob Hunt 12+2.
The final started with a Mark Boaler pass on the pits bend of
Mark Newey with Danny Harper third and a 6-4, Lewis Osborne took the second with a fine Shaub Rudman pass for third giving
another 6-4 ( 12-8) Leicester hit back with a 6-4 of there own a fine win for the impressive Daniel Pike ( 16-14) Mark Newey
received a gate exclusion resulting in a Mike Morgans / Danny Harper 7-2 ( 23-16 ) two drawn races with another last ditch
pass from Boaler and another race win for British no 2 Lewis Osborne who survived a couple of forceful challenges from Pike (
33-26), Leicester pulled a point back after an exclusion for Chris Osborne crossing the inside line with Steve Harris
winning (37-31) Boaler's third win and another vital third from Danny Harper brought a 6-4 (43-35) a spectacular manouvre
to take a win from Mike Morgans just as it looked like a Leicester 7-3 drew the heat and the interval score was 48-40
to the Hammers.
Dan Pike took heat 10 but Hammers packed the placings for a drawn heat (53-45) Leicester get back
in it with a 7-3 in the 11th (56-52),
Shaun Rudman gets the better of Carl Jarvis for a vital third plavce and a drawn heat in the next
whilst Mark Boaler and Danny Harper give second best to a flying Pike and another drawn race in the 13th (66-62) a rash challenge
from Burns brings down Harris and gets an exclusion resulting in a 6-3 from the skipper and Rob Hunt ( 72-65) Hammers
share the spoils in the 15th with Morgans / Chris Osborne following Craig Marchant ( 77-70) Lewis Osborne / Danny Harper
get a vital 6-4 in the 16th (83-74) a forcefull pass from Chris Osborne bought him through to join Mike Morgans
on a 7-2 in the penultimate heat ( 90-76) whilst a drawn last following a re run a couple of falls, the last to Steve Harris
when in a maximum heat advantage closed the historic day for the Hammers, 2007 British Team Champions 95-81.
Hammers scorers Danny Harper 11+2, Mark Boaler 19, Shaun Rudman 6+1, Lewis Osborne
17+1, Steve Harris 12, Chris Osborne 9+2, Mike Morgans 18, Rob Hunt 3.
Monarchs scorers Mark Newey 11+1, Carl Jarvis 11, Craig Marchant 14+1,
Kevin Burns 7, Mark Whitehead 9+1, Daniel Pike 18, Paul Hunt 5, Norman Venson 6+2
DOUBLE M RETURN PLAYS VITAL PART
The return of Mike Morgans to the team played a vital part in the victory a remarkable performance
for someone who hadn't been on a bike for 21 months, especially 18 in the final. Of course he also brings another element
in the pits especially re united with the other members of the three amigos Mark Boaler and Danny Harper, not winning was
never an option for Hammers' West Midlander who had daughter Krystal and partner Nina with him. Although a full time return
is unlikely expect the odd special appearance, with the indoor a definate possibility.
HEROES ALL BUT ONE ESPECIALLY SO
All the riders played their part but a special mention should go to Chris Osborne, who defied
doctors orders and rode with a badly sprained ankle hence he was rested as much as possible in the semi-final, although he
re injured himself during the final it didn't stop him bursting through in his last outing. Chris having originally injured
himself during the British Individual Final the previous week.
CONGRATULATIONS TO KAROL
On a week end of special memories for the club another was the wedding of honary club
member and former European Champion Karol Szymanski to his girlfriend Michalena in Bydgoczsz, Steve Harris attended the wedding
on Friday flying back to race in the BTC Final, Karol sent congrats to the club Sunday night on hearing the result.
