MATCH REPORT: Fireworks at Perry Barr as Aces win challenge
A bad tempered match littered with exclusions showed that there was nothing ‘friendly’ about the season opener EL friendly match at Perry Hall Park on Sunday.
The reigning champions turned up with a power packed line up to ensure the home side would have a serious work out on the track.
The track surface, which had been relaid during the winter, cut up pretty bad during the meeting causing some riders some issues and needing several breaks to try to repair the racing surface.
The Aces started with a comfortable maximum in heat 1, but that was redressed with a superb team riding effort from Chris Timms to get his partner Jamie Whetton through for a maximum of their own. Ben Mould became the first rider to earn an exclusion after leaving the track in this heat giving Birmingham a slight advantage of 10-9.
Heat 4 was drawn before the Aces hit hard in heat 5, following a 6-4 in heat 3. Timms again the winner in heat 8, following the win from Ricki Johnson in heat 6. Heat 9 took us into the break with a 5-4 home advantage – the Aces having just one rider complete the race.
The scores at half time saw the Aces in front by six points, 41-47.
Johnson took his 2nd win of the match, winning heat 10 and with partner Luke Draisey working hard to gain 3rd place, the fight was back on. However, Heat 11 saw both sides have just one finisher with two exclusions for separate incidents.
Heat 12 saw Birmingham have no rider complete the race! Mark Winwood was excluded for moving at the tapes, whilst Jamie Ball failed to follow the referee’s instructions to speed up, giving the Aces a 10 point cushion.
Heat 13 saw the Aces this time with only one finisher, as Birmingham took a 5-4 through the Millward/Johnson pairing. The Aces bounced straight back with a maximum in heat 14, while Timms was the winner of heat 15 with the points shared.
An unsavoury heat 16 saw Millward take a classy win, however the battle at the back turned ugly when Paul Heard deliberately rode Jamie Ball right to the kerb earning a rightful exclusion and prompting a bitter exchange between the duo. The resulting 6-4 saw the scores at 70-80. Heats 17 and 18 were exchanged maximum heat advantages.
In the nominated heats, 19 saw Jamie Ball pull out with an injury, but his replacement Luke Draisey took an excellent win over an impressive Lee Aris, the Wednesfield rider knowing second place was enough to secure victory.
The Monarchs finished strong with a Johnson/Timms maximum to ensure the scores finished respectfully, Birmingham 93 – 96 Wednesfield.
For the Monarchs, Timms was superb with a 6-ride paid maximum, whilst Johnson was great value for his points. The Monarchs are back in Midland League action next Sunday (10th) away at East Park.
Birmingham Monarchs Scorers: – Mark Winwood 7+1 (5), Jamie Ball 7 (5), Chris Timms 21+3 (6), Jamie Whetton 10(5), Scott Millward 13+1 (5), Ricki Johnson 19+1 (6), Ewan Hancox 6 (2), Luke Draisey 10 (5).
Prior to the meeting, a junior match took place that was close and entertaining with plenty of youngsters on show with the lead swapping throughout the match.
The crowd were very entertained by the efforts put in by the youngsters. Wednesfield edged to a three point win, whilst Dylan Hawtin for the Monarchs top scored impressively on 14. The Heagren brothers made their debuts both taking heavy tumbles but showed plenty of spirit to continue racing. The scores finished Birmingham 58 – 61 Wednesfield.
Birmingham Juniors Scorers – Marc Phipps 10+2, Dylan Hawtin 14, Connor Steele 9+2, William Arkinstall 10, Ryan Winwood 12+1, Alex Heagren 2, Ben Heagren 1.