GB LEFT TO RUE QUICK STARTS

Saturday August 04, 2018

GREAT BRITAIN team boss Alun Rossiter admitted his side were dumped by a “masterclass in gating” in Glasgow.

The home side went down 57-33 to a very solid Australian side in front of a huge crowd at the Ashfield Stadium.

GB got off to a great start with an opening heat advantage but from then on it was all about the Aussies with six 5-1 maximum wins on the way to the 24-point victory.

But Rossiter was far from downhearted. He said: “The Australians gave us a masterclass in gating today. They were excellent.

“This is exactly why Great Britain need these international meetings. It’s vital experience for the likes of Craig Cook, Dan Bewley, Steve Worrall and Adam Ellis.

“In all honesty that different in class showed today. Five of the Australian side are racing in the Polish Ekstraliga and Swedish League, that made such a difference at the starts.

“It was a good workout for all the boys. The spirit is very good, we are building something and it will take time but these meetings are vital to that progress.”

Great Britain captain Tai Woffinden added: “It was a tough day at the office for all the boys. We gave it everything.

“This is a five-year plan from the new Great Britain regime and this is what we need, more internationals, more experience.

“All-in-all it was awesome to come up to Glasgow. The place is incredible now and the fans gave us such a huge welcome, the atmosphere was incredible.”

It was Woffinden who got the home side off to a great start, chopping back under Sam Masters on the second corner to win Heat 1 after Brady Kurtz had touched the tapes.

But the Holder brothers rode an outstanding Heat 2 to leave Glasgow stars Chris Harris and Craig Cook in their wake.

Alarm bells began to ring for Great Britain when first Woffinden lost out to Chris Holder in Heat 4 but then Max Fricke and Ty Proctor grabbed a huge 5-1 over the Harris/Cook pairing.

Rossiter produced all the tactical sub changes he could, but bringing Adam Ellis and Woffinden in extra rides only produced shared heats and that wasn’t enough.

When the very impressive pairing of Fricke and Kurtz took a maximum over Woffy in Heat 10 it was game over but they continued to pile on the agony.

However Glasgow and Belle Vue star Cook produced three excellent final rides to back up captain Woffinden, including a storming Heat 15 pass of Chris Holder.

But by then the Aussies were home and hosed in a very classy display.

Team boss Mark Lemon said: “I’m naturally delighted. We looked very solid and that’s very encouraging. It’s good to have these internationals. It gets the boys together and we looked a great side even without Jason Doyle.”

GREAT BRITAIN 33: Tai Woffinden 12, Craig Cook 9, Adam Ellis 4, Chris Harris 3+1, Steve Worrall 3, Dan Bewley 2.

AUSTRALIA 57: Chris Holder 11+2, Brady Kurtz 11+1, Max Fricke 11+1, Sam Masters 9+1, Jack Holder 8+1, Ty Proctor 7+4.

OFFICIAL REFEREE SCORECARD
Great Britain v Australia (International Test Match)

Pictures: IAN ADAM & TAYLOR LANNING

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