MATCH REPORT: Birmingham youngsters victorious in double headers

The Junior Monarchs took two wins on Saturday in Division 3 Midland League action.

First up were the Wednesfield Aces, who had Tyler Bould and Alex Aris in their team. Birmingham had 2 opening tape exclusions so get off on the wrong foot but followed this up with 2 maximum heats to take the lead after 4 heats (21-17). The Monarchs started to pull clear and didn’t concede any further advantages to the Aces to start to pull clear. Marc Phipps rode an excellent race to thwart all the efforts of a chasing Alex Aris (previously unbeaten) in the 8th after the lead had changed several times in the heat. Now 10 points up another maximum in the 9th with 2 more to follow in Heats 12 & 13 to make the win an emphatic one. Hancox completed a comfortable paid maximum but had some solid support with Billy Winwood impressing with 14 points also.

BIRMINGHAM MONARCHS 75 – Ewan Hancox 17+3(5), Connor Steel 7(4), Ryan Winwood 5+1(3), Emily Pitt 9+1(3), Marc Phipps 11+3(4), Billy Winwood 14(4), Dieter Astbury 12(4).

WEDNESFIELD ACES 53 – Tyler Bould 14(5), Tom Dipple 5+1(4), Macey Burden 7(4), Alex Aris 15+1(5), James Richards 6(4), Corben Thomsen 6(4).

Next up were Coventry who unfortunately had 2 riders fail to show so had to run with 5 riders and a delay to the start of the meeting whilst we allowed time for them to arrive. The Monarchs again dominated the meeting and after an opening race drawn heat (a leading Hancox seemingly cruising to victory got caught on the last bend by Slater) was then followed by 7 consecutive heat advantages to put the win as good as in the bag. Coventry had further bad luck when Charlie Barnett had a loose chain in his opening race so was unable to complete his first race. Jess Barnett unfortunately had to ride her heats alone but was shown great sportsmanship by the young Monarchs by allowing her some advantage and allowing her to take the chequered flag in her last race with the win already confirmed. Jake Slatter proved to be top man for Coventry and put in plenty of effort. Emily Pitt had the meeting of her short career with a superb defence under huge pressure by Slatter in heat 7, she then had a great battle with Barnett in Heat 12 leading him for 2 laps and continuing the pressure when passed on the 3rd lap. All of the Monarchs took a race win in what has turned out to be a big day for the Monarch kids.

BIRMINGHAM MONARCHS 75 – Ewan Hancox 17+1(5), Connor Steel 11+1(4), Ryan Winwood 10+1(4), Emily Pitt 13+1(4), Marc Phipps 11+3(5), Billy Winwood 13+1(4).

COVENTRY DEVLINS 50 – Jake Slatter 16(5), Sam Slatter 4(4), no rider, Jess Barnett 11(4), no rider, Jack Reynolds 5(4), Charlie Barnett 14(5).