By Henry Chard
THE SCORES
QUALIFYING SCORES: Tom Brennan 13, Dan Bewley 12, Steve Worrall 11, Tai Woffinden 10, Chris Harris 10, Adam Ellis 9, Robert Lambert 9, Charles Wright 8, Anders Rowe 7, Kyle Howarth 6, Craig Cook 6, Connor Mountain 6, Jordan Jenkins 5, Lewis Kerr 4, Drew Kemp 4, Simon Lambert 0.
SEMI-FINAL: Woffinden, Harris, Worrall, Ellis
FINAL: Bewley, Woffinden, Brennan, Harris
REFEREE: A. Steele
THE STORY
Dan Bewley made it a hat-trick of British titles after winning Saturday’s Attis Insurance Sports Division British Final at the National Speedway Stadium.
The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches duo of Adam Ellis and Jordan Jenkins both had positive nights. Ellis, who has just returned to racing after a dislocated shoulder, made it to the semi-final whilst Jordan Jenkins scored five points on an encouraging debut in the event.
Ellis made a good start in heat two but had to settle for second as Tai Woffinden came around him out of the second turn of the opening lap. Heat four was stopped as Jenkins took a fall with Charles Wright coming under him on the first turn of the third lap and Wright was excluded with the race awarded meaning Jenkins picked up a point.
Jenkins settled into third in heat five with all four riders well spread out as Craig Cook took victory. Ellis was relegated to the back in heat seven by Chris Harris as Wright held off Bewley at the front.
Both Witches were out in heat 12 and it was an Ipswich one-two as Ellis took the chequered flag ahead of teammate Jenkins.
Ellis finished in third in heat 13 behind race winner Tom Brennan and Drew Kemp. Jenkins was in a star-studded heat 14 and finished fourth as Woffinden won ahead of fellow Grand Prix riders Bewley and Robert Lambert.
Ellis got a crucial win in heat 18 as he beat Robert Lambert to book his spot in the semi-final and in the process that sent the current world number three out in a shock early exit. Jenkins ended his evening by winning the battle at the back against Connor Mountain for another point on what was a good showing from the youngster in his first British Final.
Ellis couldn’t make it into the final as he finished at the back in the semi-final, and it was Woffinden who went from last to first to progress with Harris also making it in second.
Woffinden led the final, but Bewley charged under him to secure the title for a third consecutive year with Brennan third on the podium, securing the Wild Card at the Cardiff Grand Prix.
REACTION FROM THE BOSS
Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches team manager Ritchie Hawkins reflects on Saturday’s event.
“It was just great to see Adam back from his recent injury, let alone getting right in the mix and making the semi-final. Obviously, he was very disappointed to miss out on the final, but the semi was one of those races that could have gone any way and unfortunately, he was on the rough end of the stick on the opening lap.
“It was a really creditable performance from Jordan, he was called up at late notice but managed to put on a good showing, continuing the positive progress he’s made in recent weeks.
“Congratulations to Dan who won another British title, it was a superb ride in the final and he was the best rider overall on the night. It was also great to see Tom Brennan finishing third and I’m sure he will do well at Cardiff when he gets there.
“Also, a note on Dan Thompson who was in Italy today in the SGP 2 qualifier. He just missed out on the final, but it was still a very solid performance scoring 10 points and finishing 6th. It was a great experience for him that I’m sure he’ll use to his advantage next season.”
UP NEXT
The Ipswich ‘Tru7 Group’ Witches host the Sheffield Tigers at Foxhall Stadium on Monday 10th June in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership. Tickets can be purchased on the gate and in advance here.
Digital Media Manager at Ipswich Speedway