Speedway: Johnson lifts under-18 championship (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Speedway: Johnson lifts under-18 championship

10:01am Sunday 1st August 2010 in

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British under-18 championships

BRENDAN Johnson lifted the British under-18 trophy with an emphatic win in the final just 12 months after sustaining serious head injuries in a high-speed crash.

The opening round of heats at the Oak Tree Arena lead to wins for Garrity, Jacobs, Knight and Richard Franklin.

Joe Jacobs made a quick start in heat two but the race went to Jake Knight, who barrelled around the rest of the field in the opening bends.

Richard Franklin opened his account with a win in heat four and Kyle Howarth's faultless race enabled him to take heat five with ease.

Lloyd Barrett replaced Daniel I'Anson in heat six but Joe Jacobs took the win in an exciting encounter.

Ashley Morris and Darryl Ritchings battled it out in heat seven, as they traded places over the opening laps, but Morris got the upper hand in a sweeping move around the outside of bend two on lap three.

Morris had to fend off a strong Ritchings challenge late on to take the win.

Jason Garrity took his second win of the night as he easily took heat eight while Kyle Howarth roared away from the pack to win the ninth heat.

Tom Perry posted his first win of the night in heat ten, leading just before the turn, and holding off a sturdy inside challenge from Jake Knight.

Daniel I'Anson touched the tapes in heat 11 and was replaced by Lloyd Barrett but it was Daryl Ritchings who added another victory to his belt.

After a slow start, Brendan Johnson secured his first win of the night in heat 12 and Kyle Howarth was yards from booking an automatic place in the final in heat 13 until he unexpectedly crashed, leaving Jake Knight to take the win.

Ashley Morris scored his second win of the night in hear 14, holding off Brendan Johnson and Oliver Rayson, and John Resch logged his first win in heat 15.

Joe Jacobs put himself into the frame as he took second place behind Richard Franklin in an exciting heat 16 and Kyle Howarth booked his place as he notched an easy heat 17 win.

Young Brandon Freemantle raced into the opening bend of heat 18 and toughed it out to race clear for the win.

The consistent Tom Perry won heat 20 and gave him his reward of an automatic final place in style.

Johnson and Howarth started as front runners in the final and battled throughout. Johnson repelled a strong challenge from Howarth in the initial turns, to lead into the back straight.

Howarth cut back inside Johnson as they ran into the third turn but it was Johnson who gained the upper hand and ran out a comfortable winner.

This championship further added to the Oak Tree Arena's stature as a venue for top class speedway.