The Poole squad take victory in the eastern region to take the 2024 National League title
The Poole squad take victory in the eastern region to take the 2024 National League title
The Comets squad travelled to the South Eastern region for the final three matches of the National League season in what were “must win” matches against arguably some of the strongest teams in the country. Two matches were ridden on the Saturday followed by the final match of the season on Sunday.
First up were the young cycle speedway stars at Kesgrave. Poole managed to take an early advantage in this match despite many of the squad having never ridden the heavily banked technical Kesgrave track. Poole managed to pull forwards at the half time interval and then continue to keep pushing ahead going into the closing stages of the match.
Match result
Kesgrave 83 – Poole 99
Kesgrave match footage
Second match of Saturday was at Ipswich where the weather turned just as the match began with heavy downpours almost flooding the 3rd & 4th bend. Despite this the Poole team dug deep to gain a 4 point lead going into the half time interval.
A strong competition ensued with the Ipswich team pulling back some vital points leaving the Poole team 2 points down going into the last heat.
Poole pairing of Kenzie Bennett & Greg Gluchowski went into heat 18 needing a heat advantage to come away with a chance of winning the league on Sunday.
The pairing managed to force their way to the front in the re-run getting a very important 7-3 and thus winning the match by 2 points.
Match Result
Ipswich 88 – Poole 90
Ipswich Match footage
Sunday began with a trip to a local Karting track for the Poole Squad which helped keep everyone’s mind off the afternoon crunch match at Great Blakenham.
Only a win would do in this final match of the 2024 season and the Poole squad did not disappoint. Taking 6 heat advantages in the first 9 heats Poole took a commanding advantage going into the second half of the match.
Despite Great Blakenham taking a 7-3 heat win in heat 10 and then further gaining points back in a heat 15 superheat clawing 6 points back, Poole managed to keep them at bay.
Poole managed to overcome everything thrown at them to win the match by 8 points and thus taking the nations top tier National League Title for the first time in 11 years.
Match result
Great Blakenham 88 – Poole 96
Great Blakenham Match footage
Poole take the title
What a wonderful year it’s been for the Poole club, not only taking the title but also being the 50th Anniversary year for the club.
There have been many ups and downs this season on the track with Poole doing it the hard way having had several key injuries to riders throughout the year, the depth of the club shone through with quality riders to help bring home the title.
The club and management would like to thank all 13 riders who have ridden in the Poole colours this season and made this dream come true.
On to 2025 to defend the National League title.
Pictures by Kevin Saunders
Video footage by Martyn Hepworth
