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Back to Monmore Wood again
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Now fully sponsored by local car dealers Motor Market and the same management company of Nigel Pearson, Chris Van Straaten and Gary Patchett with Will Pottinger managing the team things were looking good. However it turned out to be a frustrating season. With Max Clegg returning and Ashley Morris back in the side Cradley were very strong at the top end and so it turned out to be. The return of Luke Chessell was a great addition to the side it gave us a top end which was a match for anyone in the league. It was hoped that Jack Kingston and James Purchase would fit nicely into the middle order but Jack had other commitments outside speedway and after just three appearances it was decided that he just had to go. Then James Purchase got injured and was out for the rest of the season. The management moved quickly to get Richard Andrews who was also getting over injuries from his first meeting at Easter and had been left out of the Eastbourne side. The middle order of the side had almost been destroyed. Ben Basford started the side well at reserve and moved up to the number two slot but after taking a few knocks Ben lost some of his confidence and started to struggle. Bradley Andrews the other reserve found life in the National League very tough and his lack of experience showed. |
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Bradley was left out for one match mid season and it was enough for him to get it together, Brad was riding in the MDL and quickly found himself back in the side. |
L to R. Ben Basford, Bradley Andrews,
Max Clegg(capt), James Purchase, |
The second half of the season saw Ben back down at reserve,
hoping he could get his confidence back. Bradley did get a lot of rides and definitely improved over the year but our main competitors Birmingham and Eastbourne were very strong at reserve, Birmingham in particular had two very strong reserves in Jack Parkinson-Blackburn and Jack Smith. It's difficult not to feel sorry for him really, just eighteen years old, away from his family on the other side of the world doing a very risky job with little experience. The dedication is there he is determined to make a name for himself in the sport he loves so much. The fans like him too and he was voted most improved rider on the year. It really was the top two who made the team this season though Max continued to improve and collected the Under19 Championship in September and the National League Riders Championship a few days later. Max had the second highest average in the National League (behind Eastbourne rider Adam Ellis) and rode in all three leagues throughout the year for Edinburgh in the Premier League and Wolverhampton in the Elite. It was no surprise he was voted rider of the year by supporters. Ashley joined Max in an almost unbeatable partnership in heats 13 and 15 not just because they were two of the top riders in the league but as partners they rode together as one. Luke Chessell had a good season too increasing his average by more than two points he enjoyed being a Heathen again, and he proved to be good back-up to the dynamic duo at the top. Unfortunately for Luke he had a heavy fall at Buxton in September which put him out for the rest of the season. All in all a bit disappointing by Cradleys high standard but hey-ho we made the play-offs again, we had the NL Riders Champion two of the best riders in the league and we saw some great speedway - roll on 2017! |
Final National League Table
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PLAY-OFF FINAL Semi-Final 1st leg - Kent 43 Eastbourne 47 Semi Final 1st leg - Birmingham 53
CRADLEY 37 Grand Final 1st leg Eastbourne 50
Birmingham 37 LEAGUE SCORING SYSTEM |
KO
Cup Semi-Final 1st leg -
CRADLEY 44 Eastbourne 46 |
National League Fours |
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