Spring Trophy

Derwent Park, Workington

Saturday 27th March 1999

Edinburgh clinched the Spring Trophy with a win against Workington at Derwent Park. This was a creditable performance since they lost Peter Carr after two rides. In fact none of Edinburgh's heat leaders reached double figures and it was down to a trully sensational evening by reserve Ross Brady and fighting performance by Blair Scott.

The evening was clear and dry but very cold. The track looked to be in good condition and passing was possible although never easy. There was another massive crowd that was both enthusiastic and noisy.

Edinburgh were unchanged but Workington used rider replacement for their injured second string Peter Scully.

Kevin Little won the toss and opted for Gate position B  with Edinburgh off 1 and 3 for the first heat.

Stonehewer gated from Grieves while Blair Scott edged out James Birkinshaw at the first bend. The race was stopped when Birkinshaw hit the fourth bend fence. In the re-run, Stonehewer again got the drop on Grieves and won by a huge margin. In the process he dismembered hisown week old track record taking over 2 seconds off it.

(3-3) (3-3)

Ross Brady made an electric start and left Geoff Powell and David McAllan trailing. Geoff Powell, roared on by the crowd, made a determined attempt to get on terms but couldn't catch Brady.

(2-4) (5-7)

Mark Blackwell was used for the rider replacement facility. Kevin Little was first away from Grant MacDonald and Stewart McDonald. When it appeared that Little was set to win, Grant MacDonald found extra drive to surge past and win to the delight of the home crowd.

(3-3) (8-10)

Carr and Brady gated with Werner left way behind. Brady made a small slip on the second bend and Geoff Powell blasted past him going out of the third bend. Werner was never able to get near Brady.

(2-4) (10-14)

This time Grieves and Scott made the gate with Grant MacDonald way behind. Rider replacement Geoff Powell set off after Blair Scott in determined fashion and while he did get past, he made a mistake allowing Blair to repass.

(1-5) (11-19)

Stonehewer made another fast start and was never challenged. Meanwhile Birkinshaw beat McAllan to give the Comets their first heat advanage.

(4-2) (15-21)

Carl Stonehewer was brought in for Mark Blackwell as a tactical substitute. This paid off as Stonehewer and Werner exploded out of the gates to win a good maximum despite a valiant attempt by Little to split the Workington pair.

(5-1) (20-22)

Ross Brady made the gate from Powell and Birkinshaw. Blair Scott was trying to get back on terms when Birkinshaw suffered mechanical troubles and baulked him. This left Scott well adrift as Ross Brady held off Geoff Powell.

(2-4) (22-26)

Geoff Powell was again used as rider replacement. Peter Carr was well away and seemed to be in control when he unaccountably hit the fence coming out of the second bend. Carr was taken to hospital but his injuries were not serious. In the re-run with Carr excluded, the inevitable maximum for the Comets followed.

(5-1) (27-27)

Ross Brady came in as a reserve change for Stewart McDonald. Stonehewer again proved unstoppable and won from Brady and Little.

(3-3) (30-30)

This heat produced a second sucessive maximum for Grieves and Scott. Werner again made a poor start and was never in contention.

(1-5) (31-35)

Ross Brady came in as a reserve change for McAllan. He led Kevin Little to another heat maximum over Powell and MacDonald.

(1-5) (32-40)

David McAllan replaced the injured Peter Carr while Geoff Powell replaced the toiling Brent Werner. It looked set for a home 4-2 with Stonehewer leading Grieves and Powell, when Grieves seemed to slow down allowing Powell to pass. Grieves just about struggled over the line as McAllan homed in.

(5-1) (37-41)

Grant MacDonald came in rider replacement for Scully. He had no answer to Ross Brady who secured his fourth win of the night. Stewart McDonald won the one point needed to clinch the match.

(2-4) (39-45)

With Powell having completed seven rides, Workington put Grant MacDonald alongside Stonehewer for the nominated heat. Edinburgh, with the match and the trophy safe, opted for Blair Scott and Kevin Little. Stonehewer gated from Little with MacDonald third. MacDonald persued Little and passed him just before the Monarchs captain stopped with engine failure.

(5-1) (44-46)

Blair Scott was unrecognisable from the rider at Armadale the night before. He gated well  was always competitive and was paid for ten points. Stewart McDonald never really got going althought he did little wrong and was on the pace. He was beaten by Stonehewer and Werner in heat  7 and by Grant MacDonald twice. McDonald has never been noted as a big track rider.

David McAllan beat Mark Blackwell in heat 2 but was not really in contention. The match win is down to Ross Brady who was virtually unstoppable. He gated superbly, rode fast and made next to no mistakes.

Stonehewer was totally dominant and was unlikely to be beaten even had Peter Carr not been injured. Brent Werner had a nightmare apart from a good paid win in heat 7. Grant MacDonald was wildly inconsistent with a couple of excellent rides and two awful ones. Birkinshaw was not really on the pace, had an exclusion and an engine failure as well mechanical difficulties at the start of one heat. Mark Blackwell was never at the races. Workington were well served by the fans' favourite Geoff Powell

Man of the match: Ross Brady gets the nod despite the maximum by Stonehewer

Most exciting rider: Geoff Powell no contest!

Next meeting: v Newcastle, Premier National Trophy, Armadale, Friday 2 April 1999
 

John Lowe

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