MATCH REPORT: Monarchs limp to defeat against the champions
Birmingham Monarchs Cycle Speedway club were unable to take advantage of a weakened Wednesfield side on Sunday, slipping to a 15 point defeat in Ashmore Park in Division one Midland League action.
The Juniors managed to take victory in the 3rd Division meeting. Heat one started with a drawn heat but heats 2 & 4 saw battling advantages for the home side to move 4 point clear.
Birmingham managed a 6-4 in heat 6 thru the Johnson/Winwood partnership. The Aces took 2 more advantages to lead 48-42 at half time.
The Monarchs were unable to break down a determined home side in the 2nd half with a lack of heat advantages proving to be the issue to pulling points back. It was heat 16 before Birmingham were able to take maximum points thru Winwood and Hancox to move to within 8 points of the Aces only for the current champions to finish with 2 further advantages.
PHOTOS: See more by Andy Whitehouse – click/tap here
Johnson and Timms battled hard but the Aces proved too strong with Chris Jewkes storming to a full 20 point maximum.
In the 2nd Division encounter the meeting was much closer with little between the teams. Heavy rain called time after 10 heats, the fixture needing a new date for a rerun. Birmingham were down 52-48 at the time.
In the 3rd division fixture another close encounter with the Monarchs taking victory by 4 points.Youngsters Samuel Price and Issy Buet Gannon providing vital 3rd places to help take the win.
MIDLAND LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
Wednesfield Aces 97 V BIRMINGHAM MONARCHS 82 – Ricki Johnson 17 (5), Chris Timms 15 (5), Ewan Hancox 12+2 (5), Luke Draisey 12+2 (5), Mark Winwood 12 +1(5), Nathan Groves 6 (5), Carl Winwood 5 (3), Paul Timms 3 (3)
DIVISION 2
Wednesfield Aces 52 V BIRMINGHAM MONARCHS 48 – RESULT DOES NOT STAND. Josh Hill 10 (3),Ryan Winwood 9+2 (4), Billy Winwood 9 (3), Jake Steel 6+2 (3), Steve Hodgkinson 61+(2), Natalie Timms 6+1 (4), Connor Steel 2(1)
DIVISION 3
Wednesfield Aces 38 V BIRMINGHAM MONARCHS 42 – Connor Steel 16 (4), Charlie Buet Gannon 15 (4), Connor Steel 12 (4), Samuel Price 6 (4), Issy Buet Gannon 5 (4).
On Saturday Mark Winwood travelled to Hellingly for the Eurovets series. He came 3rd in the B final.
This Saturday the juniors travel to Leicester for round 3 of the YJL competition with several of the youngsters in competition for a podium place.
Training continues at the track every Tuesday and Thursday. Under 16s 6pm and seniors 7pm. All abilities 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.