Taverham boys celebrate double in schools event
Last updated: 01/04/2009 10:01:00
King's Lynn co-promoter Jonathan Chapman is relishing another derby tussle in tonight's Premier Trophy South pool clash against Rye House at the Norfolk Arena. (7.45pm)
Lynn wrecked the Rockets' own grand slam bid in 2005 to kickstart their golden period with a Young Shield and KO Cup double and Chapman is desperate to inflict fresh misery on Len Silver's early season table-toppers.
"We've had some tremendous battles with them in recent years," he said. "I remember in 2005 when they were really the crème de la crème and we we're just trying to make our name in the sport at Premier level. No-one could imagine us beating them but we did and now I feel we have overtaken them. If you had been offering odds on us winning them twice at the end of that season it would've been 50/1 or something. They want to beat us at every opportunity to try and set the record straight. I've got a feeling we'll both be at the top come the end of this competition but there is also some danger teams in the south section like Scunthorpe and Birmingham."
Chapman admits the new style scoring system leaves no margin for error after Lynn opened their account with a point in the 48-42 weekend defeat at Stoke.
"It could've been better but it could've been worse for us," he said. "The feedback I got from Rob (Lyon) and Buster (Chapman) was we had a good chance to win the meeting but the important thing was we came away with something. I think the new points scoring system helps.
"Rye House may come here and struggle to beat us or even draw but if they keep it to within six they get a point and deny us a point - we'll only pick up two instead of three. It's not just about winning but winning by a margin that gives you maximum points."
Lynn's teenage talent Darcy Ward cashed in with a heavy paid 15 return on his first ever visit to Loomer Road.
"Within the club we know what he is capable of and what to expect but without putting too much pressure on the boy," said Chapman. "The feedback from the fans of Edinburgh and Stoke is they can't believe what they were seeing.
"He is so composed. If he loses a race he comes in and sits at the back of the pits. There's none of this throwing the helmet away which you might expect a 16 year old to do.
"He just keeps a cool head, shrugs his shoulders, and gets ready to go out for the next one. I know he'll surprise a lot of very good riders this year."
Parade 7.30pm, first race 7.45pm.
Admission: Adults £12, concessions £9, £4 juniors (aged 12 to 15) with free entry for children aged 11 and under.
Stars: 1 Tomas Topinka, 2 Christian Henry, 3 Chris Schramm, 4 Emiliano Sanchez, 5 r/r, 6 Darcy Ward, 7 Jan Graversen.
Rockets: 1 Chris Neath, 2 Linus Sundstrom, 3 Tommy Allen, 4 Robert Mear, 5 Joe Haines, 6 Luke Bowen, 7 Andrew Silver.