Following his recent return from Speedway Grand Prix glory in Britain, reigning Australian Speedway Champion Chris Holder took a hard fought NSW Title at the weekend in Kurri Kurri.

Although the two-time Australian champ came away with the title, he didn’t have it all his own way.

Recently crowned FIM Rookie of the Year and two-time World Under 21 champ Darcy Ward went head-to-head with Holder during the qualifiers, putting his friendship with Holder aside to take the win and take first pick for the A-Main.

Local rider, Richard Sweetman was on a roll in the heats, taking four of his five races and when he came up against fellow Novacastrian, Sam Masters, Sweetman did what was required to grab the final gate pick into the A-main behind Ward and Holder.

Masters’ loss relegated him to the B-Main, where he wasn’t going to let a strong field of riders get between himself and the A-Main.

Under lights, Masters took the B-Main win, ahead of Alex Davies, Taylor Poole and Kozza Smith, and joined Sweetman, Holder and Ward in the A-Main for his efforts.

Unfortunately for Masters, he scored himself the only gate left in the A-Main, starting from the outside and despite a good jump, from the outset it was the Holder and Ward show.

Holder got the holeshot on the defending champion and didn’t look back, locking in to an early rhythm, with Ward pushing the Australian number 1 with all he had.

Battling from start to finish, Holder got revenge on the U/21 Australian Champ, taking the win from Ward and regaining the NSW Title in the process.

Riders will now gear-up for the Australian Solo Championships, which kick-off in January – returning to Kurri Kurri on January 15 for round two.