CLUB NEWS: Monarchs crash out of play-offs

Birmingham Monarchs Cycle Speedway Club finished 3rd in last weekends regional Play Off Final in Wednesfield after the hosts and Midland League champions were sensationally beaten by 1 point in the final heat by Coventry. So it’s the Coventry club that will represent the Midlands in this
weekends Play Off Final in Astley and Tyldesley.
Birmingham started the first block of heats on the outside grids so were playing catch up from the off. The 2nd block of racing from the inside grids was more favourable with 2 race wins however a tapes exclusion for Heard proved a costly one.
Whilst Wednesfield were dominating the meeting Birmingham were falling behind the pace, already weakened with 2 key riders missing they had to use manager Phil Widdas in a riding role also. The losses proved too big to overcome on the day however it was the emergence of the Coventry side
that made it fascinating to watch for the neutral.

REGIONAL PLAY OFF FINAL at Wednesfield

Coventry 92, Wednesfield 91, Birmingham 75, Leicester 63.
Birmingham scorers – Chris Timms 14, Paul Heard 10, Mark Winwood 7, Ricki Johnson 12, Jake Steel 7, Paul Timms 10, Phil Widdas 5, Scott Millward 10.

Earlier in the week Birmingham finished their league programme with a narrow victory at Coventry by 87-90. The home side took the lead in the mid way stages but the Monarchs finished stronger in the 2nd half.

MIDLAND LEAGUE DIVISION 1

Coventry 87 v BIRMINGHAM MONARCHS 90 – Johnson 15+2(5), Millward 10+1(5), C Timms 13+4(5),
Winwood 18(5), Heard 19, Luke Draisey 9+1(5), Steel 3(3), P Timms 3(3)

Birmingham have an English League fixture with Poole to race in October (6th) at 1pm at Perry Hall Playing Fields whilst on the Saturday (5th) the club host the 4th and final round of the YJL (Youth Junior League) with age ranges from all groups being crowned champions. Youngsters from all over
the UK will be travelling to the track with a full day of racing. The action starts at 10AM.

Follow the Monarchs on Facebook @Birmingham Monarchs Cycle Speedway Club or on Twitter
@brummonarchs.