CLUB NEWS: Monarchs win consolation final in Euro Club

Birmingham Monarchs Cycle Speedway Club failed to make the final of the ICSF European Club Championships on bank Monday (7th May), but recovered to win the Consolation Final and take 5th overall.

Birmingham, as a team, had their worst team performance in Monday’s second semi final and failed to recover from a poor start scoring 5 points from the first block of racing, already 6 points behind the top 3 teams.

It was no better at the halfway stage. Although closing the gap to Ipswich in 3rd to within 5 points they were now 14 points away from a necessary top 2 spot. It wasn’t until heat 12 that they took their first winner, with Chris Timms winning the heat, by then it was already too late to qualify.

SEMI FINAL 2 – Leszno 52, Wednesfield 42, Ipswich 34, Birmingham 29 (Timms 8, Johnson 8, Hancox 7, Mark Winwood 3, Carl Winwood 3)

By the halfway point in the Consolation Final, Birmingham started to take control, with a run of 3 out of 4 wins to move 2 points clear. The third block of heats were also won to move 6 clear with 4 races left and a tough block of grid 4’s. The Monarchs securing victory with one race to spare in a much better team showing.

CONSOLATION FINAL – BIRMINGHAM 47 (Chris Timms 13, Ricki Johnson 12, Ewan Hancox 12, Mark Winwood 10) , Ipswich 43, Astley and Tyldesley 36, Stockport 32.

Czestochowa were crowned champions in the Grand Final, whilst Wednesfield, the only British club to qualify for the final came 3rd.

Birmingham took part in the U14 British Club Championship in Kesgrave in Suffolk on Saturday, but came 4th on the day. Poole 53, Kesgrave 45, Ipswich 31, Birmingham 29 (Bekah Humphries 10, Charlie Buet Gannon 8, Connor Steel 6, Ben Heagren 5)

Humphries also took part in the Women’s League opening fixture at East Park on Sunday. She scored 5 for the Midlands team who came 3rd and she also qualified for the A final in the Intermediate group coming 4th.

This Saturday sees the club host round 2 of BYJL competition, with many of the Monarchs youngsters expected to take part. Start time 12. On Sunday they travel to Leicester in Midlands League action with all 3 teams in action from 1PM.

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