MATCH REPORT: Powerhouse Wednesfield in control at the top

Wednesfield were able to call upon their full powerhouse riding squad for the trip to Dorset while the home side were severely hampered by the absence of three first team middle order regulars leaving them heavily dependent on their top end stars.

The Aces capitalised on the races where Greg Gluchowski and Gavin Wheeler did not feature with two 7-3’s before the break allowing them to secure a potentially match winning 39-51 advantage. Three more maximums in four races after the interval  put the league leaders out of sight and with news filtering through of a surprise Sheffield victory at Horspath it looks like the Elite league title is virtually certain to be Wednesfield bound after just 4 rounds!

Worryingly for the Aces, they have raced “under-strength” opposition in each of their 4 in 2015 matches and while their runaway scorelines may be enjoyable for the victors, the Elite League itself is probably the least competitive it has been in its recent history which should be ringing alarm bells looking forward.

Take nothing away from the Aces on track, they are a truly talented combo and it would be difficult to single any individual out for praise, for while Poole were able to supply 9 of the 18 race winners, Wednesfield only suffered one last place in completed races, that being in heat 18 when Lee Aris came off second best to his good friend Gav Wheeler after a cat and mouse tactical battle.

The match was rounded off with a successful defence of the Elite match race by holder Bobby McMillan who made the most of his gate 2 to shut out relentless pressure from Greg Gluchowski who was waiting to pounce on the slightest slip – but none came!

Poole 78: Greg Gluchowski 20  Gavin Wheeler 16 Steve Harris 11 Aaron Smith 9+1  Pete Chant 8  Hayden Chant 7 Callum Albin 4 Jay Briggs 3

Wednesfield 100: Ben Mould 16+1  Ricky Johnson 16 Paul Heard 13+1 Matt Smith 12+2 Dominic Rycharski 12+1 Lee Aris 12+1 Bobby McMillan 9+3 Chris Jewkes 4+2 Brandon Whetton 4 Lee Kemp 2+1

Match race McMillan bt Gluchowski

Referee – Robin Spicer

Combination

Poole (48+7) 55: Jay Briggs 9 Callum Albin 8 Jordan Bradford 7 Pete Chant 7 Luke Armes 5 Callum Smith 5+1 Chris Blundell 3

Wednesfield (84+18) 102: Mark Winwood 16 Lee Kemp 15+1 Brandon Whetton 14+2 Troy Allen 14 Chris Jewkes 13 +3 Mark Griffiths 12+4