On a squally evening at Central Park on Monday (24/4) the Southern Development League [SDL] got underway with the Kent Code Kestrels (resplendent in their new body colours) sweeping away the double-pronged opposition from Exeter and Weymouth.
It was a case of ‘south-by-south-west’ for the quartet representing the Kent club with pride of place going to Alex Spooner (the Kings’ no. 8 for this season going through both cards undefeated by an opposing rider) and Kiwi, Bradley Andrews - looking especially fast and dominant in topping the combined score chart for the Sittingbourne-based side with 17 points from six rides.
Fair play though to both opponents who battled gamely. Exeter came in race-ready mode having practiced at Iwade on the Saturday and Lydd on the Sunday (no county in the country boasts three different Speedway tracks were touring riders can seize such opportunities), but found the Central Park circuit difficult at first to settle on. Once acclimatised though their stalwarts Stevie Anderson & converted from Cycle Speedway, Craig Nethercott showed assurance and not a small amount of pace. Generally it did come a bit late to take the points their efforts deserved in the SDL match itself, though Nethercott had led Lakeside new signing Jamie Couzins until the final lap in heat five; but Anderson won two second half races to show what he could deliver when dialled in. Andrew Palmer looked lively enough too, twice taking points off the Kestrels’ James Laker as the side from Devon sought some late match respectability.
Weymouth, the second opponents up, had a rather more experienced line up and did do better. Andrews was denied a double maximum by Connor Locke – the ex Rye House man’s heat 3 win also doing for the max chances of Couzins. Laker was very unfortunate in this encounter – expertly laying down to avoid the fallen Locke in heat two set him back as he was unable to take his place in the rerun and was still unready two races later being forced after missing the two minutes to go off a prohibitive handicap. Martin French contributed points in all three of his rides to top the Wildcats’ score card on paid five.
Ultimately this meeting was about the development of the SLYDE Kings’ youngsters - and Andrews in particular will have benefitted enormously; ditto the very confident-looking Spooner. And about raising the profile of two famous old club names looking to find new homes and restablish themselves in the sport. A win-win for the new Kestrels (which sees them high-flying in the embryonic SDL table) and a win-win for the two visiting sides and for this exciting new enterprise.
Kent Code Kestrels 27 Bradley Andrews 9[M]; Jamie Couzins 7+2[PM]; Alex Spooner 8+1[PM]; James Laker 3+1
Exeter Falcons 8 Rob Watts 1; Andrew Palmer 3+1; Stevie Anderson 1; Craig Nethercott 3