MATCH REPORT: Aces too strong for Coventry
Wednesfield arrived at the Hearsall Common Bowl with a close to full strength Elite League side on Sunday, showing their strength in-depth for the 2015 season. Coventry on the other hand had to make do without a string of riders including Dominik Rycharski, Konrad Pietek, Robert Bedra and Kyle Roberts. It was always likely to be a one sided contest.
Heat one started well for the Aces with Paul Heard doing the business against Bobby McMillan, whilst Lee Kemp kept ever pressing Mason Phillips at bay for a 6-4 heat advantage to the Aces. Heat 2 was one of the best of the day, with Grimes leading Aris before a slip on the loose surface let the Wednesfield rider alongside, who duly muscled his way to the front, with Brandon Whetton seizing the opportunity to follow his team mate. Grimes then repaid the favour on the final bend with a dive inside Whetton, allowing his team mate Dan Drewett through to claim a 5-5.
Lee Aris was in fine form yesterday. Picture by Mark Phillips
From then on Wednesfield dominated proceedings, notching up four 7-3s in the first half, with only Grimes and McMillan able to offer a respite for the home side, by claiming wins and subsequent shared heats, as the home side claimed inside grids before the interval. At half time the scores were 36-54 in favour of the Aces.
Second half and Wednesfield again turned the screw. Two 7-3s and a 6-4 for the away side in the first three races, saw them stretch their lead further, before Paul Heard suffered a tape exclusion in heat 13. Lee Kemp duly claimed the win against for Wednesfield against Lawerence and Barnet, which was the first heat advantage of the day for the home side.
Coventry maintained a good run of races with Bobby McMillan taking two on the trot at reserve. Chris Jewkes making a lightning gate over the Aussie meant honours were shared in heat 14, as Dan Drewett kept Dave Meanley at bay. Then, McMillan and Grimes got Coventry’s first 6-4 against Mould and Griffiths, which could have been a 7-3 except for a slip from McMillan and chance taken by Mould to split the Coventry pair.
Two more 7-3s were added by the Aces in heat 16 and 17, as Lee Aris completed a masterful paid maximum of 16+4, before Grimes finished off the match, taking his second win from Paul Heard to share the final heat.
Myke Grimes top scored for Coventry with 18 points. Photo by Mark Phillips.
It was a big ask for Coventry, but they can take a lot of pride from a huge effort and never gave up. Matt Lawrence especially chased hard and should have got more for his endeavours. Myke Grimes and Bobby McMillan put up a brave fight for the home side but were outnumbered by the powerful Aces. Lee Kemp offered great support for his team, as well as 7 of the 8 Aces riders getting into double figures and Meanley only taking two rides. Aris and Mould were impressive and were the away side’s stand out scorers, with Heard’s tape exclusion disadvantaging his overall score.
Coventry 73
Mason Phillips 7, Tom Sensicall 5, Myke Grimes 18, Dan Drewett 7+2, Charlie Barnett 5+1, Matt Lawrence 10, Bobby McMillan 16, Joe McLaughlin 5
Wednesfield Aces 106
Lee Kemp 14+2, Paul Heard 14+1, Brandon Whetton 15+1, Lee Aris 16+4, Chris Jewkes 14+2, Ben Mould 19, Mark Griffiths 10+1, Dave Meanley 4+1
Midland League Division 2
In the Midland League Division 2 fixture Coventry triumphed to a 69-60 victory with a last heat 7-2 confirming victory for the home side with Ollie Morris proving the man of the hour with a sensational double pass in heat 5 to beat Alex Aris and Glyn Rowley.
The young ‘hot shot’ fount himself caught at the back of the pack with no room for a racing overtake. However, using his already experienced Cycle Speedway head, Morris swept underneath Rowley and forced Aris out wide in the process.
Jake Slatter leads Ollie Morris, who had his best match for Coventry in Midland League 2. Photo by Mark Phillips.
This proved to be the catalyst required to turn the match in Coventry’s favour as they denied Wednesfield any race advantage from there on. Charlie Barnett and Jake Slatter rode well to secure double figure scores as did Shaun Reynolds with Sammie Marsh providing some class entertainment for the strong crowd with an 8 point haul.
Coventry 67
Tom Sensicall 15+2, Sammi Marsh 8, Shaun Reynolds 10, Charlie Barnett 11, Jake Slatter 13, Ollie Morris 11
Wednesfield Aces 62
Lee Kemp 16, Courtney Aris 4, Alex Aris 7, Glyn Rowley 10, Dave Meanley 19, Adam Tipton 5
Coventry won the following U13 Midland Junior League match 41 – 36.