Coventry Devlins 86-94 Birmingham (MLD1): 10th June
Coventry Devlins youthful side failed to get the better of local rivals Birmingham in the clubs latest Midland League fixture as they slipped to an eight point defeat.
Honours were shared in the opening race of the afternoon as Coventry's young gun Daniel Drewett continued his fine form of late by tucking in for second place behind the much experienced Nathan Groves.
British number 3 Chris Timms displayed his liking to the Coventry track in heat 2 as he partnered Andy James for a maximum 7-3 to hand the visitors the early advantage. Coventry earned their first heat advantage of the meeting in heat 4 as Joe McLaughlin ruthlessly fought his way past fellow veteran Steve Hodgkinson. 
Any thoughts of levelling the meeting from Coventry were dashed in the following two heats as Birmingham extended their lead by a further six points. A third maximum 7-3 for the Monarchs just before the interval put them well in command at the half way stage.
Typically, Coventry failed to throw in the towel. A 7-3 from Sensicall and Rycherski immediately after the break, followed by a 6-4, reduced Birmingham's advantage over the Devlins Newsagents to just six points. A second half comeback was stopped in heat 13 though as Chris Timms sensationally got his way past Konrad Pietak in a tough last bend move.
Both sides traded 7-3's in the following two heats, however Coventry's hopes of victory were dashed when a couple of shared heats made it mathematically impossible for the home side to win. With the result beyond any doubt, racing was still very fierce as Myke Grimes powered his way up the inside of Mark Winwood in the concluding heat. Grimes lost control of his machine, fell, and was then ran over by Monarchs rider Scott Milwood. Fortunately, Grimes was okay.
Coventry 86: Pietak 16, Drewett 7, Grimes 16, Lawrence 7, Roberts 12, Sensicall 9, McLaughlin 5, Rycharski 14
Monarchs 94: Groves 14, M.Winwood 13, C.Timms 17, James 13, Millward 14, C.Winwood 7, Hodgkinson 6, P.Timms 10