It was honours even at Central Park Stadium on Monday evening (20/5) with a ultra competitive John Cearns Cup ending in a 45-45 draw between the hosts and a Wimbledon Dons select side.
There was never more a cigarette paper between the two evenly-matched sides with seven of the heats drawn 3-3 and the others alternating 4-2s, meaning that really the final outcome was seen coming from some distance. The early exchanges were peppered with tapes offences leading to 15 metres handicaps for the three riders committing starting gate indiscretions: young James Laker (heat 2) and TouchTec Kings’ big hitters Anders Rowe (heat 3) and Drew Kemo (heat 6) all retrieving points despite having to start further back than their rivals. For Kemp the point dropped to Danyon Hume was the only blot on an otherwise another perfect scorecard whilst Rowe’s never say die attitude on the way to 10 points earned him many plaudits.
The home side were depleted for sure (with no fewer than three of their much vaunted teen titans sitting out through injury), but all of Jacob Clouting and the Woolley brothers, Tom & Sam who travelled down by Derbyshire to answer Kent’s call for help made valuable contributions to the 45 points tally. The younger sibling Sam indeed was involved in the scrap of the night – refusing to surrender points to the Dons’ William O’Keefe and snatching third place on the line in heat 8 to put his side for the evening back to parity at 24-24.
Rowe’s excellent passing manoeuvre to get the better of Hume in the following heat seemed it might have turned things in the favour of the Kings, especially when Kemp seeing off Tom Perry in the next race moved the hosts for the first time into a four points lead – but led by the returning former Kent skipper Luke Bowen, the Londoners hit back and in the end the sides went into heat 15 locked together at 42-42.
It was the battle of the stars in the final race – Kemp didn’t put a wheel wrong, but despite a noble effort the 2019 Kent captain couldn’t get round his predecessor from the previous three seasons, Bowen and so everyone was able to go away happy to see the Cup for 2019 shared between the two sides.
Ledwith is increasingly comfortable in his role as heat leader and captain as he told the well attended press conference at the end, “I’m feeling a lot better on the bike now – we have had technical issues with the gearing, the set up but now that’s sorted I feel I’m making headway in getting consistency in my riding: working on my speed now, rather than just holding on!”
Of the thought that the teens in the side have him to look up to the ever ebullient Ledwith commented, “I’m not sure about that – these lads are all taller than me, so I look up at them! To be honest, these lads have grown up racing these modern machines and know more about the bikes and racing than I do! What I pass onto them is through example – I always try my absolute best, give it 100% all the time. We have a great team spirit here and with next Monday’s massive fixture I don’t think I really need to ease any pressure off the lads as they really are extraordinarily composed and professional, with such focus”.
That big match sees the National Trophy Group leaders and holders Mildenhall Fen Tigers come to Central Park on Bank Holiday afternoon (27/5 4pm start time) – the TouchTec Kings know that a win (particularly if they can prevent their rivals from securing a bonus point) will be a huge step towards claiming their first ever national silverware.
John Cearns Cup: shared after draw: 45-45
Kent TouchTec Kings 45 Drew Kemp 3, 2, 3, 3, 3 14 Rider Replacement – Alex Spooner Anders Rowe 2, 2, 3, 3 10 Tom Woolley 1, 1*, 1*, 1, 2 6+2 Rob Ledwith 3, 2, 3, 2, 0, 0 10 Jacob Clouting 2, 1*, 0, 0, 0 3+1 Sam Woolley 0, 0, 1, 1, 0 2
Wimbledon Dons 45 Luke Bowen 2, 3, 3, 1*, 2 11+1 William O'Keefe 0, 0, 0, 0 0 Tom Perry 3, 3, 2, 2, 3 13 Rider Replacement - Luke Clifton Danyon Hume 2, 3, 2, 2, 1* 10+1 James Laker 1, 0, 0, 0 1 Jamie Couzins 3, 1*, 1, 2, 1, 1*, 1 10+2
