MATCH REPORT: Clinical Birmingham reach triple figures

The Birmingham Monarch’s first team took a rather comfortable win over at East Park at the home of the Wolves yesterday. Despite the heavy loss for the home side there was still plenty of positives to take with victories for both Jake and Zak White, whilst Jamie Whetton took two wins as talent is slowly starting to emerge.

The Monarchs were at full strength and showed the home side little mercy. The first four heats all won by the maximum advantage. A tape exclusion in the fifth for Andy James followed by a slip from Matt Smith, saw the home side take one of their own.

Wolves guest Bobby McMillan won his first and surprisingly only heat in the eighth and another drawn heat in the 9th took us into the interval at 35-54. The Timms/Groves and Millward/Johnson partnerships both unbeaten.

The Wolves started strongly in the second half with a maximum, but that was quickly followed by strong 7-3s In the next four heats for the visitors. Mark Winwood ruined his maximum with a tape exclusion in heat 16, but the victory by this stage was already secured.

All Monarchs took at least one heat win each, with James impressing with nine from reserve. Ricki Johnson was the only unbeaten rider, however Timms and Millward dropped a single point each.

East Park 73 – Dave Ball 8, Zak White 11, Bobby McMillan 15, Josh Hill 4, Jake White 9, Jamie Whetton 13, Will Cartwright 3 Jamie Ball 12+3.

Birmingham 104 – Mark Winwood 13+3, Matt Smith 12+2, Chris Timms 11+3, Nathan Groves 17, Scott Millward 18+1, Ricki Johnson 17+3, Carl Winwood 7+1, Andy James 9.

Midland League Division 2

Despite giving away 30 points at the start of the match the Wolves had pulled back 29 of those going into the final heat and with their most experienced pairing of Whetton and Ball proved to tough for Hodgkinson and Paul Timms to beat. This was the first team action of the year for Timms senior who took a win in his first race and had a tape exclusion limit is final total.

East Park 61 (91 -30) – Jamie Whetton 16+4, Jake White 18+1, Jamie Ball 12+3, Josh Hill 18, Zak White 17+2, Will Cartwright 12+1.

Birmingham 58 – Steve Hodgkinson 10, Emily Pitt 8+1, Ieaun Payne 6+1, Ewan Hancox 13, Paul Timms 10, Phil Widdas 8, Natalie Timms 3.

In the Junior team meeting the mini Monarchs continued their winning ways taking victory 34-40.

East Park 34 – Josh Whetton 16, no rider, Liam Cartwright 10, James Bishop 4.
Birmingham 40 – Billy Winwood 9+1, Ryan Winwood 11+2, Connor Steel 8+4, Marc Phipps 12.