CLUB NEWS: Monarchs of Leicester take bragging rights

Birmingham Monarchs Cycle Speedway Club were dealt a big blow by losing out to Leicester in both Divisions on Sunday in Midland League action. Already missing heat leader Ricki Johnson, a further withdrawal on the day for Scott Millward who failed to complete a heat due to a back
injury proved costly.
The first half of the meeting saw Birmingham hold a 5 point lead thanks in the main to heat victories in 8 of the first 9 heats. A 6-4 advantage in heat 2 from Hancox/Paul Timms started that early lead with a further advantage in the 8th from Chris Timms/Mark Winwood. Paul Heard won heat 7 with
only 2 finishers to add another advantage with the half time scores at 41-46.
The 2nd half saw Leicester take advantages of the missing Millward and costly exclusions for Groves and Billy Winwood. With Groves missing from heat 12 the home side hit a 7-2 advantage with Hancox defeated for the first time, giving Leicester a 2 point advantage for the first time in the meeting (59-57).
A drawn heat followed in the 13th race before another huge maximum in the 14th with only one Birmingham representative saw Leicester pull further ahead (71-64) with veteran Timms unable to split the home duo. Leicester pulled in another advantage in the 15th with Heard beaten for the first and only time on the day.
By the time Birmingham took a maximum in the final race the result was already settled, with Billy Winwood racing to victory whilst protected by his team partner Chris Timms. Timms took a paid maximum on the day, whilst Heard dropped a single point. Hancox started with 3 wins but could only
add 3 points in the 2nd half.
Birmingham lost out by 12 in the 2nd Division encounter. Whilst the match had plenty of drawn heats it was the home side who took more heat advantages with 5 compared to just one for Birmingham.Billy Winwood top scored with 17, well supported by Jake Steel on 14.

MIDLAND LEAGUE DIVISION ONE GOLD CUP

Leicester Monarchs 90 v BIRMINGHAM MONARCHS 85 – Chris Timms 19+1(5), Paul Heard 19(5), Ewan Hancox 15(5), Billy Winwood 9(5), Mark Winwood 8(5), Nathan Groves 8(5), Paul Timms 7(5), Scott Millard 0(3).

MIDLAND LEAGUE DIVISION TWO –

Billy Winwood 17(5), Jake Steel 14+1(5), Connor Steel 10+3(5), Ryan Winwood 10+2(5), Bekah Humphries 10(5), Charlie Buet Gannon 7(5).

The Junior Monarchs were in Leicester on Saturday for the opening round of the YJL. Charlie Buet Gannon opened with victory in the U12’s (pictured below) whilst there were A final results also for Connor Steel (4th U14’s) and Bekah Humphries(3rd Girls). In the U10’s Logan Hughes was 1st and Issy Buet Gannon 2nd in the B final.

This weekend it’s back to Gold Cup action with round 3 hosted by East Park, start time of 1pm. On Saturday it’s the opening round of the British Cycling HSBC GP, with 2018 winner Chris Timms travelling to Exeter to defend the title.
Follow the Monarchs on Facebook @Birmingham Monarchs Cycle Speedway Club or on Twitter @brummonarchs.