MATCH REPORT: Hammers get the better of Monarchs in challenge

The Cross-over League fixture was changed to a challenge fixture on the day last Wednesday, due to both clubs not having enough riders and needing to use guests, but at least a good natured fixture still took place under floodlights.

The results were tight throughout with the lead swapping in the early stages until the Monarchs took a couple of mid meeting advantages to lead and take control. The Monarchs, with just 5 riders present, saw the missing number 2 position shared between the riders. Birmingham star rider Chris Timms ended up taking 9 rides on the night.

As a challenge fixture, the importance was the racing not the result and there was plenty of action on track with riders giving 100% commitment. For the Hammers of Horspath, Polish star Lukas Nowacki was great value on his own track, he took 2 defeats by Timms but was too hot for the remaining Birmingham riders.

With the Birmingham riders tiring in the last few heats, the home side were able to take 2 maximums in the final 2 heats to steal the win on the night. Not that the result mattered to either side in the end. Both sides will have known they worked hard in the extra races.

CHALLENGE  Horspath 82 v Birmingham Monarchs 78. Birmingham scorers – Chris Timms 27+2 (9), Dean Hook (guest) 17+1 (6), Ewan Hancox 14+5 (6), Paul Timms 13 (5), Jake Steel 7 (6).

Some of the Birmingham riders still have more challenge fixtures and invitational meetings to race in over the next few weeks.  Monarchs riders have been invited to race in the Chris Allen Memorial at Coventry on Sunday 5th November with a senior and junior competition, starting at 1pm. Plus of course Monarch riders are off to Australia in 2 weeks time to compete in this year’s World Championships.

The club are still running training and coaching sessions on a Sunday 2-4PM and we will be running a GP series for any rider 16 and under. All abilities are welcome including newcomers.

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