Berwick Border Raiders V Ashfield Giants

[phillwhitewasmad 1,487]

The latest fixture in the NJL calendar took place at Berwick where the Border Raiders beat the Ashfield Giants 23-13

 

The meeting opened with an easy 5-1 to the home pair of Kev Whelan and Kieran Douglas over Mark Mcilkenny and Dale Lamb.

Ht 2 brought a 3-3. Sam McGurk won the heat followed home by tge Giants pairing of Corban Pavitt and Jack Wright . Raiders youngster Luke Harrison had the misfortune of an engine failure just as the tapes rose.

 

Ht 3 saw the Giants pair more competitive from the gate but it didn't take long for the Raiders to get in front to take yet another 5-1.

Ht 4 was the race of the night. Giants Pavitt swooped across from gate 4 as the tapes rose to take a lead which he kept to the finish. However what went on behind him was a tremendous tussle between the other 3. Wright was holding 2nd place but was under real pressure from the Raiders pairing. Harrison was trying the outside with McGurk on the inside. The Giant was still 2nd as the three of them came out the last turn but with Harrison looking to go round him, Wright moved out just that bit further to block that challenge which allowed the 4th placed McGurk to charge up the inside to nick 2nd on the line. A Giants 4-2 but a fantastic race and just a pity the video company don't film these races.

 

Ht 5 saw another determined effort by the Giants pairing with Dale Lamb in particular looking like he was getting to grips with the place. Whelan was well clear so the battle was for second between Lamb and Douglas. Lamb held on to that spot before a determined Douglas found a way past to secure another 5-1 and paid maximums for both the home 500 riders.

Ht 6 saw Pavitt make another fast start with McGurk behind him. We were back to another entertaining battle between Wright and Harrison for third spot. It was nip and tuck between the two again but this time Harrison wasn't to be denied and found his way through to take third behind his partner.

 

Raiders 23

Kev Whelan 8+1

Kieran Douglas 7+2

Luke Harrison 1+1

Sam McGurk 7

 

Giants 13

Mark McIlkenny 1

Dale Lamb 2

Corban Pavitt 8

Jack Wright 2+1