Canterbury Crusaders’ return to competitive speedway ended in defeat in a special six heat challenge fixture last weekend.

There was a wave of nostalgia that washed over the Iwade track as the famous name of the Crusaders was resurrected for the first time in around 40 years.

Although it wasn’t to prove a winning start for the Crusaders, them suffering a 21-15 defeat at the hands of for the Cradley Heath Juniors, it was more about the occasion with a number of former Canterbury riders in attendance and enthusiastic long-term supporters lining the terraces.

As for the match up popular Australian Tayla Street, who recently finished fourth in the woman’s World Championship and who is already building up a following of her own would prove the star of the show with a three-ride maximum as she led the Heathens to victory. Connor King also rode unbeaten by an opponent as the Heathens built up an early lead and one they were never set to relinquish.

Indeed, Street would open up her account with a victory in heat one, a win arguably denied her by a faulty cut out in her final outing in the main meeting.

She led Alex Chadd to the chequered flag and with Archie Strong getting the better of Rhys Laker for the 4-2 it was the visitors who opened proceedings on the firmer foot.

King kept the momentum going leading the home sides James Laker and Nathan Hargrave for a split of the points in the second after Heathens Liam Laker suffered a fall.

Cradley strengthened their hold on the contest and the likely victory with back-to-back 4-2’s in heats three and four. King claimed the verdict over Hargrave in the third and then Street did likewise ahead of James Laker in race four to claim her second win of the match and with Heathens providing the third man home on each occasion, Strong and Liam Laker respectively the lead stood at 6-points, 15-9 with just two heats remaining.

The Crusaders were not yet beaten however and James and Rhys Laker (no relation) combined for maximum points in the penultimate race; this reduced the difference to just 2-points (16-14) taking the match to a last heat decider.

With Street and King as yet unbeaten however that was as close as the Crusaders would get, and the Heathens duo duly combined for the 5-1 over James Laker and Hargrave who suffered a final race fall. This restored the half dozen difference, the final score settling at 21-15 in favour of the visitors.

It moment had proved something of a success however, a vast array of Crusaders memorabilia, courtesy of long-time supporter Wayne Raines personal collection was on display and several former riders, including names such as Barry Thomas, Dave Mullett, Rob Tilbury, Brendan Shilleto, Alan Diprose, Rory Austin, Graham Knowler and Keith Pritchard  supported the occasion, as did it should be noted for balance the likes of Crusaders former rivals, Trevor Geer, Paul Woods of the Eastbourne Eagles as well as Crayford Kestrels Alan Sage.

Much loved Barney Kennett, the man dubbed Mr. Canterbury and who carried out Team Manager duties commented ‘It was great to have the Canterbury Crusaders back and a shame to have it at the end of the meeting as a lot of people seemed to go home’.

‘I would it to be a full meeting with potentially stronger sides because that is what Canterbury deserves, I did speak with supporters and that was their only disappointment that it was at the end. That is something I hope that we can work together with the Kent Eagles to organise, but all things considered I loved the day catching up with old riders and friends’ the current World Speedway Riders Association President concluded.

Scorers:

Crusaders: James Laker 8(4), Nathan Hargrave 3+1(3), Rhys Laker 2+1(3), Alex Chadd 2(2). – 15

Junior Heathens: Tayla Street 9(3), Connor King 8+1(3), Archie Strong 3(3), Liam Laker 1 (3).– 21

Speaking after the weekends racing, Team Manager David Graveling commented, “What a great meeting today in front of a big crowd, a win for the Kent Eagles in a closely fought match. Big thanks to Andy Hawthorne for putting together a great team and providing the opposition for both matches and how amazing that so many people stayed to watch the second half.

Graveling’s opposite number Andy Hawthorne, Team Manager of both Heathens sides also commented “I’m massively proud of how close we were in the main event after being hit by injury and running a rider short and we could have been closer without some bad luck, before we (finally) clocked up our first win of the season in the support event’

“Thanks to everyone who took extra rides without ever complaining on a very hot day. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to Tayla Street, Ashton Vale, Ben Whalley, Harry Sadler, Alex Spooner, Connor King, Archie Strong and Liam Laker for your efforts today. Also huge thanks to Charlie Wood for coming to cheer us on (and getting his hands dirty) and to Archie for getting on the spanners for Harry. Also, of course Bailey Pike without whom Ben clearly couldn’t have defeated Edward Kennett!!’

“Thank you all for helping keep the Heathens name alive, you all mean the world to me”.

Images courtesy of Tiffani Graveling and Barney Kennett