Giants Record Convincing Win
(Posted 23/07/07)

The Giants first home fixture in the academy league saw them run out convincing winners against Northside, easily clawing back the 2 point deficit from last nights first meeting at Derwent Park.

They did not have it all their own way however, David Haigh winning the opening heat for the visitors after an impressive opening couple of bends between him and Gary Beaton.

It was a case of one misfortune after another in heat 2. Northside’s Mark White had bike problems on the back straight on the way to tapes and despite Comets John Branney trying to get his bike out to him he failed to beat the two minutes. The riders on a fresh two minutes, the bad luck was to hit John Morrison when his dirt deflector became detached. Jim McGregor in the pits quickly vetoed attempts to fix it with a tie wrap and Morrison joined White in staring 15m back.

Getting underway at the third attempt, James McBain won easily from the gate. A determined ride from John Morrison saw him quickly catch James Cartmell, gently edging him over to pass inside him on the second bend of lap 2.

Gary Beaton put in an impressive ride in heat 3, winning in a time that was not far off those posted in the Premier League meeting that had just taken place. Ricky Lee Beecroft had gated second but Mark White passed him coming out of the second bend and pulled clear to claim a comfortable second place.

The Giants claimed another 5-1 in the fourth heat although in fairness James McBain did appear to get a bit of a flyer. He was also pressured for most of the race by David Haigh but the Northside rider just could not find a way through.

Gary Beaton won heat 5 by a mile, the action again being for the minor placing's in the early stages with Ricky Lee Beecroft doing well to hold off a determined challenge from John MacPhail on the opening bends although the latter pulled into the pits on lap 2.

Mark White’s bike problems continued to haunt him, his bike once again packing up on the way to tapes leaving just three riders to contest the final heat. John Morrison gated and pulled clear with David Haigh in second being pressed by James McBain. Unfortunately Haigh slid off at the start of the second lap, the referee awarding the race.

From a Giants point of view it was a positive day, all four riders doing well and looking confident. You have to feel for Northside’s Mark White however, only managing one race from the tapes thanks to machinery problems.

A few photos from the meeting can be seen here

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