Diamonds sparkle at Stoke

The Newcastle Diamonds kick started their 2005 season with an emphatic 51-43 win over the Stoke Potters down in the Potteries. Top scorer for the Diamonds was new captain Phil Morris with 13 + 1 from 5 rides. Phil was backed up heavily by fellow team mates James Grieves and Josef Franc, the latter looking especially impressive on a track he has a history of disliking intensly in the past.

After last season's utter disaster of a season, to start off 2005 with such a fine win has only served to really boost the entire club from riders, through management to fans alike, all of whom were struggling to contain their sheer relief and delight at the 8 point away win.

The match could of gone either way in the beginning with a tightly fought contest, but by heat 5, 6 points difference was the order of the day.

In heat 12 Stoke put Robbie Kessler in as a Tactical Ride doubling his 2nd place 2 points to 4 points and again in heat 14 but this time in the shape of Alan Mogridge. Had these tactical rides not been used, the score would have ended up 39-51 indicating just how good Newcastle were tonight.

The return leg of the challenge match is tonight at 6.45pm at Brough Park, which is sure to be yet another nerve-tingling contest.

A delighted Team Manager, George English said: "What a great way to start off our season! All the lads pulled together to produce an away victory which is great for our team moral.We will be doing everything in our power to build on this so very positive start."

Previously Jamie Robertson had already been in action on Friday night. He was riding up at Armadale contesting in the Scotland v England test match which had been rained off twice last season, Jamie battled hard during the meeting being rewarded with a fine paid maximum.