Match Report: Swindon Robins vs Arena Essex Hammers - 05/04/01 - Premier National Trophy

Swindon Scorers
1.Alan Mogridge : 2',3,1',1 = 7(2)
2.Martin Dixon : 3,2',3,2 = 10(1)
3.Claus Kristensen : 3,3,3,3,3 = 15
4.Oliver Allen : f/ex,2',2',3, = 7(2)
5.Paul Fry : 3,3,3,3,f/ex = 12
6.Mark Steel : ret,ret,0 = 0
7.Ritchie Hawkins : 3,1,0,1,2' = 7(1)

Arena-Essex Scorers
1.Shaun Tacey : f/ex,0,2,0 = 2
2.Troy Pratt : 1,1,1',0 = 3(1) 
3.Leigh Lanham : 2,2,1',3,2 = 10(1)
4.Andy Galvin : 1',1',0,1,1 = 4(2)
5.Colin White : 2,f/r0,2,1,2,2 = 9
6.Luke Clifton : 2,1,0, = 3
7.Barrie Evans : 1',0,0 = 1(1)

Referee: Mike Posselwhite

Heat Details
1. (re-run)Martin Dixon (73.71) Alan Mogridge, Troy Pratt, Shaun Tacey(f/ex)
Dixon gated behind Tacey, but the former EL rider goes down in front of the Robins captain in a nasty looking crash, though both are straight on their feet. With Tacey out of the race, the re-run is processional with the Robins flying away from Pratt.  
2. (re-run)Ritchie Hawkins(15yrd handicap) (76.65) Luke Clifton, Barrie Evans, Mark Steel(ret)
In the first run Ritchie touches the tapes and is put back 15 yards, second time round the Arena riders are away, Steel looking somewhat lacklustre, Hawkins comes tearing up 2 the Hammers after a lap and on lap 3 has the pair on them in the space of half
a lap, one inside, one outside. Steel retires as Ritchie takes the plaudits for his first ever PL race win!    
3. (re-run)Claus Kristensen (71.55) Leigh Lanham, Andy Galvin, Oliver Allen(f/ex) 
First time Olly Allen who has come out of turn one in third loses control on turn 2 and goes down in a heap. The re-run is processional, ie Kristensen does them some damage and is 1/2 lap + ahead at the end! 
4. Paul Fry (72.27) Colin White, Ritchie Hawkins, Barrie Evans
Hawkins and Evans scrap into turn 2 when Hawkins picks up some drive lifts and flies toward the fence but he controls well and uses the drive to pull away from Evans, he chases hard close behind White but cant catch.
5. Claus Kristensen (72.14) Oliver Allen, Troy Pratt, Shaun Tacey
Clausy flew away from the tapes looking in a different class, the rest of the race was processional. 
6. Alan Mogridge (73.87) Martin Dixon, Luke Clifton, Colin White(f/rem)
White falls on turn 2, but the Robins duo are already away.   
7. Paul Fry (71.33) Leigh Lanham, Andy Galvin, Mark Steel(ret) 
Another disappointing effort from Steel, perhaps flu? Meanwhile Fry continues his dominance around the Abbey with his 7th succesive race win, miles ahead of the Arena duo after passing Lanham on lap 2.
8. Martin Dixon (71.39) Colin White(ts for Pratt) Leigh Lanham(ts for Evans) Ritchie Hawkins
Dixon looks up for it as he comes out of turn 2 3rd, he catches the Arena pair within 2 laps and cruises for the rest. 
9. Claus Kristensen (69.45) Oliver Allen, Colin White, Luke Clifton
Kristensen is away again, Allen fights past White for another 5-1.
10. Leigh Lanham (70.74) Martin Dixon, Alan Mogridge, Andy Galvin
Processional, Lanham spoils the maximum hopes of Dixon and Mogridge. 
11. Paul Fry (70.96) Shaun Tacey, Troy Pratt, Mark Steel
Fry just gates and drives away , Steel does not look himself.   
12. Claus Kristensen (69.92) Leigh Lanham, Ritchie Hawkins, Barrie Evans(rr for Clifton)
Lanham gates with Kristensen, they are level down the back straight but Kristensen is away on turn 3 and it is this way until the end.
13. Paul Fry (69.71) Colin White, Alan Mogridge, Shaun Tacey
Tapes to Flag for all 4. 
14. Oliver Allen (69.21) Ritchie Hawkins(rr fot Steel), Andy Galvin, Troy Pratt(ts for Evans)
Hawkins caught and passed both the Arena boys, completing a paid 8 haul, cracking race.
15. (re-run)Claus Kristensen (72.80) Colin White, Andy Galvin, Paul Fry(f/ex)
White outgates the Robins but they are very close, on turn 3 they went either side of him, Kristensen managed the pass but Fry lost control down the back straight and takes a frightening fall, bouncing on his head twice but he stood up straightaway, looking groggy.
In the re-run Kristensen is away and gone to complete an immaculate 15 point maximum.

Rain from 10am until 2pm lookd to have put paid to this meeting but it was a tribute to the track staff it was run, though in very wet conditions.
For the Robins Kristensen, Fry and Allen were unbeaten in their completed rides and Dixon was just as good, they were rampant Robins!! Hawkins was great and competitive for his paid 8 haul and Steel was rather disappointing.
Arena were very disappointing, Tacey was perhaps suffering ill effects of the 1st heat fall, and Galvin and Lanham looked a little weary in their first competitive meetings back since injury lay offs and the reserves looked like they didnt want to know in the conditions. They did not look competitive and will have to improve.

Top Scorer: Claus Kristensen = 15 point maximum
Rider of the night: Ritchie Hawkins = Always competitive and scored his first win in the PL for a 7 paid 8 score. 

Final Score : Swindon 'Soft Water' Robins - 58 Arena Essex Hammers - 32

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