CLUB NEWS: Monarchs win in Leicester whilst Price takes glory

Birmingham Monarchs Cycle Speedway club took 2 out 3 in Midland League Division racing on Sunday, winning the 1st and 3rd Division meetings. Both teams had riders missing but the Birmingham men proved way too strong in the senior team meeting.

Birmingham led from the off with a 7-3 from Chris Timms and Nathan Groves. This was the start of several big maximum scores as the lead extended throughout the meeting. Luke Draisey impressed with a 4 ride full-house, whilst Mark Winwood had 4 wins out of 5, a fall seeing his maximum hopes ended. Chris Timms also went through the card unbeaten by an opponent, notching up 4 bonus points along the way.

In the second division, the lead swapped in the first half of the meeting before the stronger Leicester Monarchs team finished strongly to take victory. Birmingham can feel proud of the scoreline with 4 of the 7 riders under 16. Billy Winwood impressing on 18 points.

The day started with the Division 3 fixture as the mini Monarchs took victory in a fairly close encounter. A battered and bruised Bekah Humphries took won all her races, after being injured during training on Thursday.

Birmingham Scorers:

MIDLAND LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Leicester Monarchs 72 V BIRMINGHAM MONARCHS 105 – Chris Timms 16+4 (5), Mark Winwood 16 (5), Luke Draisey 16 (4), Ricki Johnson 15+3 (5), Nathan Groves 14+1 (5), Ewan Hancox 13+1 (5), Carl Winwood 12 (4), Jake Steel 3 (3).

DIVISION 2
Leicester Monarchs 78 V BIRMINGHAM MONARCHS 67 (70 – 3 penalty points) – Billy Winwood 18 (5),Jake Steel 14+1 (5), Josh Hill 11 (5), Natalie Timms 9+1(5), Ryan Winwood 7+1 (5), Connor Steel 6+1 (2), Charlie Buet Gannon 5+1 (3).

DIVISION 3
Leicester Monarchs 38 V BIRMINGHAM MONARCHS 41 – Bekah Humphries 12 (3), Charlie Buet Gannon 12 (4), Connor Steel 12 (4), Samuel Price 3 (3), Issy Buet Gannon 2 (2).

On Saturday, Birmingham hosted the 2nd round of the BYJL competition for all youth categories.

Samuel Price (pictured below) was hugely impressive with a win in the A final of the U8s, he is now 2nd overall. Other winners included Ewan Hancox, who raced to his 2nd A final win of the season in the U18s.

Other Monarchs youngsters took part also. Defending U12 Midland champion Connor Steel had to play 2nd fiddle again to Leicester’s Kyle Wells, who leads the group at the halfway stage.

Charlie Buet Gannon took 3rd also again in the A final. Jake Steel took part in the U18’s and won the C final. Ben Heagren was 2nd in the B final of the U14’s whilst Issy Buet Gannon was 3rd in the C final of the U10’s.

More Monarchs action this week as the club take part in the opening round of the midweek league at East Park on Thursday (24th) at 7pm, whilst veteran Monarchs will be travelling to Hellingly on Saturday for the Eurovets series before a huge clash of the titans on Sunday as reigning champions Wednesfield are in ML action at Perry Hall playing fields.

Tapes up with the juniors at 1PM before the seniors take to the track at 2PM.

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