Speedway and Motorsport

Clearly buoyed by the previous evenings result the Rebels set about the Bandits straight from the off, and were never headed for the whole match.

A measure of the Rebels dominance was the fact that the home side could only muster 4 heat wins in all, and whilst the Rebels regularly returned winning times in the 66 sec range, and even a 65.8 by Zorro in Heat 5, the Bandits only once got under 67 secs in any of their wins.

Zorro was superb again, with his second paid maximum on the trot (14+1), dropping his only point to team-mate Ritchie Hawkins in Heat 13. He topped off his night by completing his maximum with a last gasp win, getting up off the final turn to beat Jacek Rempala in Heat 15. Emil Kramer backed up his fellow Swede with 10+1 with two wins and two seconds in his four rides.

Ritchie Hawkins spent a season at Shielfield in 2004, and obviously still remembers the fastest way round as he put that experience to good use in returning 13 points. His efforts were rewarded with a spot in the nominated Heat 15.

Danny Warwick was another who has previous experience at Shielfield having made the long trip up from Poole as one on last seasons Bandits squad.

Last season started in similar fashion to his Rebels career, but he improved so much that he ended as the Bandits 'Rider of the Year'. He seems to be following the same track with the Rebels, and a similar accolade could be winging his way at Highbridge.

His performance was nothing short of outstanding with a 10+1, which would have been even better had he not suffered a puncture in Heat 11. Add to this his previous nights work, and Warwick must surely rate as the Rebels star rider of the weekend, high praise indeed for a rider who only a few short weeks ago was having trouble turning his undoubted starting ability into any sort of meaningful score.

The Rebels have now completed 4 League matches, and are unbeaten in 3 away league matches this season, with their only defeat coming at home against last years double winners, the very strong Kings Lynn Stars. This must rate as one of the best starts to a Rebels league campaign ever, and bodes well for the remainder of the season.