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Stoke Potters v Rye House Rockets
Premier League, 26 August 2006
Loomer Road, Stoke

Stoke 43
1Paul Thorp0321. ..60
2Trent Leverington2121*. ..61
3Paul Clews31*31. ..81
4Robbie Kessler2*2Fx31* ..82
5(g)James Grieves32232 ..120
6Barrie Evans2001*0 ..31
7(g)John Branney000.. ..00
Rye House 47
1Edward Kennett333F0 ..90
2Lee Smethills1030. ..40
3Steve Boxall03333 ..120
4Tommy Allen1102. ..40
5Chris Neath221*2. ..71
6(g)Ben Powell1022*. ..51
7Adam Roynon31*11*. ..62

* = BP. ^ = TR . ! = TS (15m Handicap). # = TR (Points Not Doubled). & = TS (Points Not Doubled, 15m Handicap).

Stoke were without Mark Lemon who withdrew from the match at Somerset last night with double vision. James Grieves guested in his place at number 5 and the Potters also had John Branney as a guest at reserve in place of Luke Priest. Rye House were at full strength tracking a reserve pairing for this match of Adam Roynon at number 6 and Ben Powell at number 7.

Stoke needed to keep winning at home to remain in contention for a play-off place but suffered a four point defeat which could cost them dearly in the shake out for the final play-off places. Despite all the injuries and team changes Rye House have suffered this year they never fail to amaze with away performances which range from the sublime to the ridiculous. This was one of the sublime ones!

The Rockets showed they meant business by winning the opening race 2-4. Edward Kennett won under pressure from Trent Leverington while Lee Smethills finished ahead of Paul Thorp. They added another 2-4 in the reserves race won by Adam Roynon to double their lead but Paul Clews and Robbie Kessler squared the match with a 5-1 in heat 3 with a comfortable win ahead of Tommy Allen and Steve Boxall. This was the only time Steve Boxall was beaten all meeting though. James Grieves won heat 4 for a shared heat which took the score to 12-12.

Edward Kennett produced his second heat win in heat 5 from Kessler and Clews for another shared race then Stoke took the lead for the one and only time in the match in heat 6. Paul Thorp won the race from Chris Neath with Trent Leverington third for a 4-2 which gave the Potters a two point lead. It lasted one heat as Rye House squared things with their own 2-4 in heat 7. Boxall caught James Grieves on the line to win the heat and Tommy Allen took the vital third place point to tie the score up again. The Rockets were back in front again after heat 8 when Lee Smethills beat Trent Leverington with Adam Roynon third to make the score 23-25.

Stoke’s cause wasn’t helped when Kessler ran into Chris Neath in heat 9 bringing him off and being excluded for his efforts. Paul Clews came to their rescue by winning the rerun for a shared heat then Boxall did likewise for Rye House in heat 10. Edward Kennett produced his third race win in heat 11 as again the points were shared but Rye House produced a massive blow in heat 12 when Steve Boxall and Ben Powell scored a 1-5 from Paul Clews. This had the Potters in real trouble as they trailed 33-39 with just three heats to go.

James Grieves gave them some hope by winning heat 13 from Chris Neath with Paul Thorp in third after Edward Kennett had fallen. This gave the home side a 4-2 to get within four points of their visitors. Robbie Kessler won heat 14 but Tommy Allen and Adam Roynon kept John Branney at the back for a shared race which meant that the home side needed a last heat 5-1 for a draw. Steve Boxall tied the points up for the Rockets by winning heat 15 from Grieves and Kessler for a shared heat and four point victory.

Match Report by Merlin