Ipswich Eagles and Kesgrave Panthers star in cycle speedway British Club finals

Kesgrave�s winning U12 team: Back row, Matthew Parr (team manager); Front row (L-R): Torsten Jolly, Noah Woodhouse, Daniel Robb, Charlie Beeton, Charlie Parr. Photo: ANDREW PARR (Image: (c) Andrew Parr)

Ipswich Eagles and Kesgrave Panthers were to the fore as the U18, U14 and U12 British Club Championships were raced at Kesgrave at the weekend.

For an incredible fifth time in the last six years, Ipswich’s U18 side were victorious and were crowned British Junior Champions.

Led by brothers Pierce and Harrison Bacon – and with Ben Clarke giving the pair just the support that was required – the Eagles won the last two heats – and the meeting – by three points.

Second-placed Kesgrave were another well served by a set of brothers – the Brinkhoffs – Lewis and Tyler who were excellent and the Panthers had strength in depth as well.

Kesgrave took a well deserved Under 12 Championship title, finishing first or second in every heat, Charlie Beeton taking the only maximum 16 points of the match.

A young Ipswich squad battled Poole for second place, Kaiden Thorpe and Robin Coe riding in their first British competitions, though Poole’s Kenzie Bennett delivered 15 points to pull the south coast club clear into second place.

Kesgrave's winning Little League U10 team: Back row (L-R): Oliver Edmunds, Lily Parr, Harvey Shumake. Front row (L-R): Ryker Jolly, Luca Woodhouse. Photo: ANDREW PARR (Image: (c) Andrew Parr)

Poole and Kesgrave reversed roles for the Under 14 Championship final, Poole’s Nathan Goulden and Maddie Saunders returning the match’s only 16 and 15 point hauls.

Ipswich and Birmingham fought their own close battle until Kristian Mitchell and Harvey Young delivered a second and win in the final four heats, giving the local team a deserved third place.

The Little League Under 10 title was also won by the Kesgrave Panthers, as they enjoyed a great scrap with Poole. It was good to see both Norwich and Astley & Tyldesley competitive at this young age group.

The next Club Championship events are the Under 16 Girls, Women and Over 40s, which will take place at Astley & Tyldesley on Saturday June 23. The Open and Under 16 Boys events takes place on Saturday, August 18, at Leicester.

On Sunday, the second round of the Battle of Britain took place, with the South West the visitors to Kesgrave, taking on the South East and East.

Kesgrave�s Charlie Parr being hit by Poole�s Kenzie Bennett with Kai Gowers of Ipswich unable to avoid the collision in the British U12 final. Photo: ANDREW PARR (Image: (c) Andrew Parr)

In the Junior meeting, last season’s Elite Junior GP winner, Pierce Bacon’s 20-point maximum led the SE&E home to what in the end was a relatively comfortable victory. And he received fine back up from team-mates and British champions Lewis Brinkhoff and Harrison Bacon, Brinkhoff only dropping points in his final heat.

The match began with a tape exclusion to Adam Cooper, handing the South an early lead, but three 7-3 heat wins put the East in a comfortable lead. The East carried a seven point lead in to a tight second half which began with six shared heats and ended with a 6-4 heat win each.

The Eastern Senior squad had a closer first half, being dogged by three tape exclusions. Matt Hill and Richard Fellgett top scored for the home side, the narrow Kesgrave track suiting their acceleration.

Zac Payne managed a spectacular crash, vaulting his handlebars as he hit Hill then being towed along the track as he clung to Hill’s seat to avoid his wheel. The East were clear winners by the final heat

The Eastern region now face three away matches in June, July and August. Their next home match will close the season, when the North and Scotland squad visit Great Blakenham on September 16.

The South West riders, Connor Tucker and Fraser Garnett try to trap the East's Ashley Hill, Lewis Osborne looks on. Photo: PHIL CLARKE (Image: Archant)

Full results from the weekend

British Club Junior (Under 18) Championship: Ipswich 52 Harrison Bacon 14, Pierce Bacon 16, Ben Clarke 13, Reece Johnson 7, Luke Dunningham 2; Kesgrave 49 Tyler Brinkhoff 13, Lewis Brinkhoff 15, James Porter 10, Charlie Long 11; Poole 41.

Under 14 Championship: Poole 53, Kesgrave 45 Charlie Beeton 12, Noah Woodhouse 13, Phoebe 9, Hansen Ingram 11, Charlie Parr DNR; Ipswich 31 Kai Gowers 5, Freddie Coe 3, Kristian Mitchell 11, Harvey Young 10, MacKenzie Strait 2; Birmingham 29.

Under 12 Championship: Kesgrave 59 Noah Woodhouse 15, Charlie Beeton 16, Torsten Jolly 14, Charlie Parr 14, Daniel Robb DNR; Poole 49; Ipswich 36 Kaiden Thorpe 7, MacKenzie Strait 9, Keaton Ripper 7, Robin Coe 6, Kai Gowers 7

Little League (Under 10) Championship: Kesgrave A 59, Poole 52, Astley & Tyldesley A 45, Kesgrave B 44,Ipswich 33.5, Norwich 25.5, Astley & Tyldesley B 21

Pierce Bacon, outside and Harrison Bacon lead for the East, against Ben Tinsdale and Owen Johnson. Photo: PHIL CLARKE (Image: Archant)

Battle of Britian Senior League

East & South East 104: Josh Brooke 14+2, Matt Hill 18, Ashley Hill 16, Lewis Osborne 10+3, Adam Peck 14+3, Richard Fellgett 17, Jonjo Slaughter 4, Dan Knights 11+2

South & South Wales 91.

Battle of Britain Junior League

East & South East 73: Harrison Bacon 14+1, Adam Cooper 2, Pierce Bacon 20, Tyler Brinkhoff 6+2, Lewis Brinkhoff 18, Charlie Long 4, Ben Clarke 6+1, James Porter 1, Owen Wells 2

South & South Wales 66.