MATCH REPORT: Birmingham take bragging rights in East Midlands

Birmingham won the battle of the Monarchs on Sunday, by defeating the Leicester Monarchs at their Slater Street track. Whilst Birmingham were missing Nathan Groves the home side had several key riders absent.

The home side kept things tight in the early stages with a run of drawn heats punctuated by a 6-4 to the visitors in heat 3 within the first 5 heats to hold a narrow lead (24-26), however 3 maximums out of the next 4 heats saw Birmingham take full control of the meeting leading up to the interval (38-52).

After the break, Leicester continued to scrap for every point even taking a maximum of their own in heat 14 with some hard but fair racing. However, one home advantage gave a true representation of the meeting, as Birmingham took 3 further advantages in the 2nd half to help build a comfortable lead and victory.

For the home side Mike Baldock top scored, whilst veteran Dave Frith was a huge force, however star of the day was Birmingham’s Ewan Hancox, who was largely untroubled racing to a full 5 ride maximum. Support was solid with 7 of the 8 riders taking at least a paid win.

In the 2nd division fixture Birmingham again took victory due to the visitors having too many doubling up penalty points. solid scoring ensured the visitors again taking victory. Phil Widdas rolled back the years with some solid battles and passes whilst the young Monarchs all rode well for their points with Connor Steel taking a 4th to 1st win in heat 14 to join his team partner at the front.

MIDLAND LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

Leicester Monarchs 80 v BIRMINGHAM MONARCHS 100 – Ewan Hancox 20 (5), Mark Winwood 16+2 (5),  Chris Timms 16 (5),  Ricki Johnson 14+2 (5), Scott Millward 14+2 (5),  Paul Timms 8 (3), Steve Hodgkinson 6+1 (3), Jake Steel 6+1 (5).

MIDLAND LEAGUE DIVISION TWO

Leicester 52 (81-39 penalty points) v BIRMINGHAM MONARCHS 57 (69-12 penalty points) – Phil Widdas 10+1 (3),  Rebekah Humphries 10+1 (5),  Connor Steel 9+1 (5), Steve Hodgkinson 7+1 (2), Charlie Buet Gannon 8+1 (5), Ryan Winwood 8+1 (5), William Arkinstall 7(3), Jake Steel 7 (3).

The mini Monarchs travelled to Exeter on Saturday for the 3rd round of the Nationals YJL. Connor Steel moved into 3rd place in the standings in the U12’s category with an A final appearance, however an exclusion for moving at the start stopped his chance of a rostrum finish.

Charlie Buet Gannon racing at Exeter on Saturday.

Rebekah Humphries had her best round so far resulting in a win in the B final and seeing her move up to 10th in the U12’s category. Charlie Buet Gannon took 3rd place in the B final of the U10’s giving him his best result to date. Jake Steel came 4th in the C final of the U18’s.

This weekend will see no track action for the Monarchs while the club get prepared for 2 big events for the club as they host the semi finals of the senior British championships on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th of August both events at 7PM.

Training continues every Tuesday and Thursday at the track, 6pm under 16s, 7pm seniors.  Newcomers welcome.

Keep up to date with Birmingham Monarchs news at birminghammonarchs.wordpress.com, and follow the Monarchs on Twitter with the handle @brummonarchs.


Report and Photo by Steve Hodgkinson.