Coventry Crusaders - Diamond League

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All the news from the Crusaders from Season 9 .......

Weeks 39 & 40
With the league title already in the bag it was more a case of celebrating than anything else. A home win over Warley was matched by an away loss at Stafford but it's been another great season which means we will be looking for three in a row next time around. Team building has already commenced with Andy Newman, Paul Reynolds and Dave Siddons already agreeing terms for next year. More signing news to follow.

Weeks 37 & 38
Champions - we know it has been coming for a few weeks now but now it's official - Coventry are the only club to defend their 1st Division Title and it now is their third league crown. The title was won at the poor Newcastle side with a twenty point win and as the boys paraded the trophy before the home match they weren't that bothered about that match in which they drew against Tibthorpe. More success in a challenge fixture though with a twenty four point win against that Newcastle side - plenty of champagne flowed after the meeting. Next week sees a few team changes and give some of the squad a bit more of a chance - Ovano and Matthew will be rested for the final two fixtures.

Weeks 35 & 36
Still can't call ourselves League Champions but we need one point out of the remaining twelve to claim the trophy - and with Newcastle and Tibthorpe next week that should be done easily enough. A loss at Birmingham was a surprise this week but a win over Dulwich was pretty uneventful. The Young Crusaders finished second to Cardiff again this year but at least we have discovered some more talent for the future. A third place in the 4TT was expected as sister club Springfield took another title this season. Ovano and Gary continue to fail in the GP but they're not quite there yet in terms of World beaters but they are always on hand for their club.

Weeks 33 & 34
The league title is almost sewn up now with an away draw at Springfield and a home victory over Welling. The 4TT final is next week where we again meet Springfield along with Welling and Sheffield. The Springfield side again managed to knock us out of a cup competition, this time in the semi final of the KOC. The juniors continued their recent good run with newcomer Aaron Wood in the side scoring two in each match. The Worldwide TV Special Individual held at Diamond Park this week was a great success with Gary taking first place and Ovano taking second - hopefully this will take some of the misery of the GP series away from them as they continue to struggle in the World Championship events.

Weeks 31 & 32
Another week goes by and the Division One Championship gets ever closer. A huge home win over B'ham was followed by a loss at Peckleton which leaves the Crusaders nine points clear of Springfield and 13 points clear of any other team. It is expected that Springfield will close that gap with home advantage next week and a draw in the bag already at Diamond Park. The KOC Semi Final looks to be heading Springfield's way after we could only hold a two point lead for the away leg, yet another loss to our sister club. Gary Curtis and Ovano Kollyerski started their GP challenge this week, Gary was way off the pace with three points whilst Ovano sits in the middle of the order with 7 points, all still to play for.

Weeks 29 & 30
This could have been a very important week for the Crusaders when the final weeks come around. An away victory at Warley to make up for the farce that happened last time we were there and a home thrashing of Stafford sees us now ten points clear of sister club Springfield and twelve clear of any other teams with a tough match away at Peckleton to come next week which also sees the final set of bonus points being awarded. The Crusaders won their round of the 4TT and go into the final against Springfield, Welling and Sheffield. On the World Championship front, Coventry staged the GP play off meeting which was won by our own Ovano Kollyerski who now enters the GP and joins Gary Curtis in the first round next week in Denmark, we wish them both well.

Weeks 27 & 28
Back to the glory days for the Crusaders this week with an away win at Tibthorpe and a 60-30 demolition of Newcastle at home - although that hasn't done us any favours when it comes to the averages. A great match at Sheffield in the KOC saw us lose the match by eight but go through on aggregate to the KOC semi finals, where we will probably draw Springfield again!! Gary Curtis did the business in the Overseas Final at the Powerplant snatching third place in a run off and so takes his place in the GP series. The home of Coventry next week hosts their biggest meeting of the season with the GP Play Off in which we wish Ovano Kollyerski well. The 4TT starts next week and the draw looks pretty tough but we'll give it our best to progress to the next round. Well done also to junior John McCulloch who on his home debut scored 6+3 against Newcastle Juniors.

Weeks 25 & 26
Back on the right road to some extent this week. The tough home match expected against Peckleton didn't happen as the Crusaders ran out easy winners by 14 points. A close fought defeat followed at Dulwich with a four point defeat. A hammering as expected at Springfield means runners up in the division one cup but we did manage a healthy fourteen point lead over Sheffield in the first leg of the KOC tie, the second leg takes place next week. The JUnior Crusaders have given up any hope of reclaiming the Junior title with a home draw last week but at least we can now take the time to try out some different riders which should help the club overall. Farewell to Chris Hemsley who moves to Boston for Ł20,000. The move should give the youngster some first team experience which he needs. Ovano Kollyerski missed the GP qualification place by just one place but will take his place in the Play Off on his home circuit in a few weeks. Still plenty to play for this year.

Weeks 23 & 24
Disaster strikes for the Crusaders and most of it was caused by sister club Springfield. Coventry look doomed in the Divisional Cup after a twelve point home reverse and were then knocked out of the European Cup after losing at the Powerplant by ten points. To make matters worse, Springfield then picked up a draw in the league at our home track and we were stuffed by Welling on our league travels. The only bright spark in all of this doom was the averages are at least reducing and hopefully when they change we can track Paul Reynolds, Matthew Sharpe and Dave Siddons in the same side. To round off the week, the juniors also lost form and had their second defeat of the season, this time at Beverley which leaves the door wide open for Cardiff to take the title again. Never mind, there's always next week!!??!!

Weeks 21 & 22
A good week all round with a huge home win over Warley and a bonus point despite the loss at Stafford. The KOC match was a success after grabbing a draw at Mossbay to get the team name in the hat for the next round and we also managed an eight point win over Springfield in the first leg of the European Cup, second leg to follow next week. The Juniors continued their good run with wins over Workington but next week sees them up against title challenging Beverley. The senior side also have their first leg of the Division One Cup Final against....Springfield again!!

Weeks 19 & 20
Back to business this week although the KOC tie hangs in the balance against third division Mossbay after just a six point home win - all to play for in the second leg. Newcastle managed to strengthen their side just before the match with Coventry but luckily the Crusaders just took the victory with a two point win. The home win over Tibthorpe turned out to be quite easy although this was helped by a superb 15 point maximum from Andy Newman, he really looks like he is settling in now. The junior side managed two more wins this time over Border and next week take on Workington. Tim Bennett failed in his attempt to reach the Overseas Final scoring just five points in the British Final but he has many years ahead of him to improve on that. Coventry have yet again been paired with sister club Springfield in a major competition, this time the European Cup so a tough battle is predicted ahead.

Weeks 17 & 18
An OK week for the Crusaders with top spot in division one still despite a two point defeat away at B'ham City Slickers and only a narrow two point home win over Dulwich. Andy Newman had mixed fortunes in his first week in the top five but he still has a lot to learn so he will remain in the side t gain experience. One good result was the 50-40 victory over Peckleton in the Division One Cup Semi Final which sees us enter the final against sister club Springfield. Gary Curtis won the Pacific Final in his home country and now moves on to the Overseas Final so well done to him. The Junior Crusaders dropped just one point to Hove and are now back to the top of the table after leaders Beverley lost both matches to Boston. Next week sees our first taste of KOC action in the second round tie with third division Mossbay so good luck to the lads for that one.

Weeks 15 & 16
It was the last week of super reserve Andy Newman racing in the lower ranks. The Crusaders signed off with two wins in the league, a narrow away defeat at Peckleton in the Divisional Cup Semi Final and a huge defeat at Birmingham City Slickers in a challenge match. The team now sit seven points clear of Warley at the top of the division so it's now a case of hang on in there if we can. The club's Individual was won by home rider Gary Curtis after a run off with Pawel Kieryl from Welling. The juniors came unstuck against Cardiff but it was pretty much expected although we did win the home match and now sit in second place to Beverley who remain unbeaten - they have just lost their top two juniors though to averages so we will have to see if they can stay top. Congratulations must also go to Ovano Kollyerski who safely made it through to the next round of the World Championship.

Weeks 13 & 14
A solid week for the Crusaders with two more league wins stretching their lead at the top of the division. Andy Newman has just two more matches at reserve before moving up into the top five so he will be attempting to sign off with a fine week. The junior Crusaders won both matches again and next week face the mighty Cardiff. The senior team travel to Peckleton in the first leg of the Divisional Cup semi final so best wishes to them. The appeal from last turn fell on deaf ears as it usually does so Warley keep their 'fake' two points and we are left to wonder what if.....

Weeks 11 & 12
The Crusaders management are at present lodging an appeal with the DLSA for failing to carry out required rider changes in the narrow defeat at Warley. Super reserve Andy Newman took just four rides instead of six where he scored paid ten out of twelve and so at present we cannot comment any more about this fixture. The home tie proved an easy win over a poor looking Stafford side who must be on the verge of making a transfer. The junior side continued their good run with two easy wins over Bristol and next week face Tibthorpe in a bid to extend the run. Still top of the table with news of the appeal still to come.

Weeks 9 & 10
Another mixed week in terms of results for the Crusaders but overall it was a success. A massive 32 point win over Welling made up for a poor showing at Stafford (losing by 18) putting the team top of Group A and a place in the Divisional Cup semi final against the Peckleton Raiders. A challenge match defeat at Cardiff was hard to swallow with certain riders looking un-interested. A home challenge match brought a 15 point full maximum for flying reserve Andy Newman against Leamington. The Crusaders will not be taking part in the KOC first round this season as they have received a bye into round two - lost revenue for the club! Finally, what a week for the young Crusaders - two maximum 45-9 victories against Welling, let's hope for more next week.

Weeks 7 & 8
Back to league action this week with a good home win over a lowly Newcastle and then a battling point away at the stronger outfit of Tibthorpe. A very poor showing in a challenge fixture at Walsall with former Crusader Pete Jeffery remembering how to ride speedway with a score of paid eleven from four rides. The juniors this week crushed Boston out of site away and then recorded a maximum 45-9 win over the same team at Diamond Park. The club have also signed 17 year old Jake Williams from Exmouth for Ł100,000 and Paul Bentley and the club are as usual always on the look out for more talent. Gary Curtis finished second and third in two individuals he entered this week showing what good form he is in at the moment. Next week we are back to the Divisional Cups so see you there.

Weeks 5 & 6
A good start in the Division One cup thanks again to Andy Newman. The reserve has started the season like a train and long may it continue as he will remain on a 3.00 average until the second change in the averages. Number one Ovano Kollyerski is riding well below par at present nut the good form for Newman and also some brilliant race wins from Gary Curtis and Tim Bennett are enough at present. Shaun Dawson, purchased in the close season from Westcliff is soon to be dropped for one of the clubs other juniors as he has failed to live up to expectations and will race in the junior league to help rebuild his career. Wins over Newcastle and B'ham leave the Crusaders two points clear at the half way stage of the competition. The Crusaders junior team collected two wins over Exmouth but they travel to Boston next time which should be a harder proposition.

Weeks 3 & 4
Things looking just like they did last year - a home defeat by the Peckleton Raiders and the same 44-46 score line. No one really to blame just a lack of points at the right time. The defeat was offset somewhat by an away win at Dulwich by twelve points so it's all square at the top of the table. The Crusaders narrowly managed a win in an away challenge fixture at Norwood by two points, the home leg follows next time. On a bright note, Tiger Tim Bennett qualified for the British Final with 6th place in his Tibthorpe semi final, well done to him. Next time around the league takes a break as we enter the Divisional Cup with matches against Newcastle and B'ham City Slickers. The juniors started with two wins this week against Stafford although they are only second favourites to win the title due to the huge purchases made by Cardiff in an effort to win the title.

Weeks 1 & 2
The real season is underway. The Crusaders made a reasonable start to the campaign but it was mainly due to the high scoring potential of reserve Andy Newman. Once his six matches are over we could lack some firepower and maybe a trip into the transfer market will be required. The first home match saw a narrow victory over sister club Springfield where the star of the show was Ovano Kollyerski with 13 points. Away from home, where the Crusaders were the only ones to win, saw a two point win over Welling. The star this time was Andy Newman with paid fourteen from five rides. A change in the riding order took place for a home challenge match with Walsall with not the best results - a draw. However, it was nice to see seventeen year old Jon Seymour make his senior debut for the club with five points. Success also this week in the first round of the British Club Pairs when Ovano (10) and Gary (13) helped the Crusaders to joint top spot and a place in round two next time around.

Pre Season
Gavin Newton has been transferred to sister club Springfield to enable the club to bring in a higher averaged rider at number three, that man being Tim 'The Tiger' Bennett. Tim has cost the club Ł50,000 plus Gavin. Andy Newman has been handed the number seven race jacket whilst the rest of the side remains from last season in the shape of Ovano, Gary, Matthew and Paul. Long time servant Pete Jeffery has been sold to Midlands club Walsall for Ł100,000 where the standard of racing in division two will clearly help the former World Champion. The final piece in the jigsaw will be announced as soon as a signing is made. Already added to the squad is Jim Morris, a promising youngster from Boston.
Further signings have been made to increase the squad size - Shaun Dawson and Jon Seymour, both promising youngsters, have joined the club in a combined transfer from Westcliff for a fee of Ł130,000. Dawson will start the season at number six whilst seventeen year old Seymour will race in the Junior League. Outgoing transfers that also took place this week sees Oliver Corne joining Boston in a Ł10,000 move and Matthew Oates joining Bury on a free transfer.