Terrific Tigers win thriller!
MIDDLESBROUGH recorded a much needed 45-44 last heat decider win over the Belle Vue Colts in their final WSRA National Development League match of the season. Charlie Southwick had a stunning home debut with paid 15 whilst William Cairns hit 14 for the Colts.
The meeting was a superb advert for third tier speedway in tough, wet conditions with all 13 riders an absolute credit to the sport. Today’s result leaves the Tigers 2nd bottom with Belle Vue needing to go to Leicester on Wednesday and win to avoid the wooden spoon.
Belle Vue started with a heat advantage as Cairns made the better gate to win over Ace Pijper, and with Jack Shimelt holding off Elliot Kelly, the Colts started in the ascendency.
Heat two saw Tigers guest Seth Norman emerge from bend two in the lead, but the 15 year old came down entering bend three, with the other three riders also coming down. Thankfully, all four rose to their feet with Norman excluded from the re-run.
The re-run saw Southwick pass Billy Budd for the win to ensure the Tigers did not fall further behind.
After Freddy Hodder (in as rider replacement) won a shared heat three, the Colts extended their advantage in heat four. Hodder made it back to back wins despite some pressure from Southwick, and with Budd 3rd after Tom Spencer fell in the early stages, the visitors had started the stronger.
Further trouble followed in heat five for the Tigers as Cairns won with ease, but with Middlesbrough guest Ryan Ingram breaking down whilst in 2nd, the visitors stretched their lead to eight points at the ECCO Arena.
Heat six saw Hodder lead Ace Pijper in the early stages, but with Kelly hitting the deck followed by Harry Fletcher, both were excluded leaving a match race. The re-run saw Hodder gate, but Pijper rode the boards to pass Hodder and clear off for a comfortable win which reduced the gap to seven points on home shale.
Heat seven saw the hosts hit back with a huge 5-1 as Spencer won, and with Norman impressing for 2nd, the “Heat Floors” Tigers were suddenly within three of the Colts.
After Hodder and Southwick won a pair of shared races, Middlesbrough hit the front for the first time as Ace Pijper won (despite nearly coming to grief on the final bend), and with Southwick impressing the home support with another superb ride to pass the more experienced Mason Watson for 2nd, the hosts had the momentum.
After Cairns continued his afternoon with another win to remain undefeated in a shared race, the Tigers extended their lead in heat 12 as Stene Pijper recorded a welcome win, and with Southwick again grabbing the headlines by making another pass to claim 2nd, the hosts were in control at 38-33 and eyeing the additional aggregate point.
Heat 13 saw a great battle for the heat win as Ace Pijper and William Cairns exchanged passes, with Cairns coming out on top, and with Hodder 3rd, the visitors were within five of Middlesbrough.
Heat 14 saw disaster strike for the hosts as Norman led, only to suffer mechanical issues which gifted the Colts a 5-1, and all of a sudden, they were within one of the Tigers.
The final race saw Middlesbrough needing a heat advantage to win. In somewhat of a shock, Spencer rounded Cairns on the opening bends, and with Hodder breaking down, Stene Pijper secured 3rd, handing the Tigers a win to sign off the 2025 campaign with Spencer the heat 15 hero.
Middlesbrough Tigers = 45 (88)
- Ace Pijper = 10
- Elliot Kelly = 0
- Stene Pijper = 7+2
- Ryan Ingram (G) = 4
- Tom Spencer = 8
- Seth Norman (G) = 3+2
- Charlie Southwick = 13+2
Belle Vue Colts = 44 (90)
- William Cairns = 14
- Jack Shimelt = 5+1
- Jack Kingston R/R
- Mason Watson = 4+1
- Freddy Hodder = 12
- Harry Fletcher = 2+1
- Billy Budd = 7+1