CLUB NEWS: Monarchs stop Aces record
Birmingham Monarchs Cycle Speedway Club took victory in 2 of the 3 meetings on Sunday, including a first defeat of the season for the Aces 1st team. Monarchs needed a victory to stay in contention for the title later in the season with 2 losses already they could afford no further defeats.
Birmingham took control with a maximum in heat 3 from Hancox/Timms, this was the 2nd advantage after the Aces opened with a 6-4. A further maximum in the 8th heat from the Johnson/Heard partnership steadied the ship after the Aces had pulled level in the 7th to make the lead a 4 point gap. A drawn heat took us into the break.
The Monarchs hit hard from the off in the 2nd half taking 3 advantages out of 4 to move 13 points ahead and very much in control again. The Aces responded with a surprise maximum in the 14th heat with Johnson leading until the final corner. That brought them back to within 9 points.
2 crucial drawn heats followed before a penultimate maximum heat for the visitors was just a little too late. With the match sewn up Timms and Heard completed the match with a maximum heat advantage. All the Monarchs contributed vital points and effort with Heard and Hancox voted joint man of the match.
The 2nd team went down to a narrow 2 point loss , a couple of on track decisions by riders proved costly to the team in the final analysis. Paul Timms topped the scorers.
The 3rd Division team continued their unbeaten run with a 10 point victory, all this without the services of Charlie Buet Gannon who is out through injury.
MIDLAND LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
BIRMINGHAM MONARCHS 94 – Carl Winwood 6(5), Nathan Groves 14(5), Paul Heard 13+3(5), Ricki Johnson 14(4), Ewan Hancox 17+1(5), Chris Timms 15+2(5), Billy Winwood 2(2), Mark Winwood 13(5) V Wednesfield 85.
DIVISION TWO
BIRMINGHAM 71 – Paul Timms 16+1(5), Connor Steel 12+2(5), Billy Winwood 9+1(5), Bekah Humphries 6+1(4), Marc Phipps 6+3(3), Jake Steel 13+1(5), Ryan Winwood 8+2(3) V Wednesfield 73 (78 – 5 penalty points).
DIVISION THREE
BIRMINGHAM 45 – Ben Heagren 13+1(4), Connor Steel 14+1(4), Bekah Humphries 12+2(4), Issy Buet Gannon 3+1(2), Logan Hughes 3(2) v Wednesfield 35.
With the previous Midland League match postponed by the East Park club riders had been busy in individual events.
Charlie has raced to 3 out 3 wins in the U12’s YJL, whilst Connor sits 2nd in the U14s. Bekah from 2 rounds can still make the top 3 in the girls in the final regional round in a weeks time.
Connor also took victory in the Boys youth competition at Leicester in the Ross Mee Invitational 2 weeks ago, Charlie was 7th whilst Bekah took 3rd in the girls event.
Birmingham hosted round 1 of the Eurovets 3 weeks ago. Mark Winwood was 3rd in the Over 35’s, and 2nd in the Over 40’s whilst Paul Timms was 2nd in the 60’s. Round 2 was at a Hull last weekend with Mark 4th in the 35’s and 3rd in the 40’s.
Birmingham are back in action on the 2nd June as they travel to Horspath in English League action.
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