League champs too strong for Cobras

National League

Weymouth 57 Rye House Cobras 35

THERE was disappointment for the Cobras down in Weymouth on Friday night.

Despite captain Danny Halsey claiming 13 points, the Kart Raceway Cobras' first away match of the season saw them handed a hefty defeat.

The Rye House riders were beaten 57-35 by the defending League champions, who look a strong prospect once again in 2009.

There were still some positives to take away from the fixture, however.

Halsey won his first two rides and his 13 points helped to steady the ship, while a third visiting success came courtesy of a 5-1 from Rob Smith and 15-year-old Ben Morley in heat 14.

Freshman Morley duly finished the night with an encouraging paid five.

On an evening of largely processional racing, the Cobras actually led briefly, as Halsey won the first heat and Mike Bovis kept former Cobra Terry Day behind him for two laps in the race for second.

That was unfortunately as good as it got for the Hoddesdon outfit. Three unanswered 5-1s swiftly moved the Wildcats to a 23-13 advantage by heat six.

The unbeaten Lee Smart came from the back against both Rob Smith and Jamie Courtney to prevent a Rye advantage in the next race.

Thereafter, the main positives for Rye came when Daniel Blake and Courtney both passed Jamie White Williams to force a drawn result in heat 12.Then Smith and Morley kept Matt Wright behind them to claim maximum points in the penultimate race.

Rye House scorers: Danny Halsey 13 (5 rides, inc 4 as a TR), Mike Bovis 2 (4 rides, inc 1 as a TR), Jamie Courtney 4+2 (4), Rob Smith 6 (5), Lee Strudwick 3 (4), Daniel Blake 4 (4), Ben Morley 3+2 (4)

Weymouth scorers: Mark Burrows 8+1 (4 rides), Terry Day 8+1 (4), James Cockle 14 (5), Matthew Wright 7+3 (5), Lee Smart 12 (4 rides, maximum), Tim Webster 4 (4), Jamie White Williams 4+1 (4)

Match points: Weymouth 3 Rye House 0