Coventry Bees - Elite League Runners Up

Last updated : 20 October 2014 By Covsupport News Service

Coventry Bees are the 2014 Elite League Runners-Up after losing 53-37  (90-71 on aggregate) at Poole in the Elite League Grand Final Second Leg.

Coventry Bees travelled to a packed Wimbourne Road stadium 37-34 down from the first leg and on a slick track, the Bees had Hans Andersen and Kyle Howarth ride against Batchelor and Morris.

Howarth got into the lead and Andersen tried to get past Morris who blocked him, giving the Bees a 4-2 much to the delight of a big Coventry following.

Jason Garrity and James Sarjeant went for the Bees in heat two but it was Kyle Newman of Poole who took the lead before Garrity went down due to the track conditions. Garrity was disqualified. James Sarjeant led chased by Newman and won for a 3-3.

In Heat Three, the Bees guest Max Fricke rode with captain Chris Harris. Fricke took the lead but Janowski got past him as did Pawlicki and then was taken down by Harris who was disqualified and the race was awarded as a 5-1 to Poole.

Kyle Howarth and James Sarjeant had the ride in the fourth heat. James Sarjeant hit the tapes and was replaced by Jason Garrity for the re-run. Milik and Garrity went down and the race was stopped again. All four riders were back. The Bees initially got into a 5-1 but Garrity dropped back to third behind Milik and the Bees took a 4-2 to make the scores 12-12 on the night.

Max Fricke and Kenneth Hansen rode for the Bees in the fifth heat Poole gated on a 5-1 and although Hansen had a good go, Poole took the 5-1 heat win.

In heat six, Andersen and Harris rode. Harris got the lead ahead of Pawlicki and kept it to win and give the Bees a 4-2 win.

Garriy and Hansen were the riders for the Bees in heat seven. In a superb heat, Garrity took the lead and then dropped to third but got back to second. However, the riders were allowed to ride an extra lap before the chequered flag and Poole were awarded a 4-2 based on Newman leading ahead of Garrity and Morris at the end of the fourth lap.

The Bees were now four points down and seven on aggregate with eight heats left. Fricke and Howarth rode but Vaclav Milik got into the lead and on the last lap, Pawlicki got past Fricke and Poole took a 5-1.

Garrity and Sarjeant went in heat nine but Newman took the lead, followed by Garrity and Sarjeant and it was a 3-3 which suited Poole far more than Coventry.

Heat ten and with the Bees still down by eight points, Chris Harris and Max Fricke rode. Troy Batchelor went into the lead. Chris Harris chased him with Fricke holding off Morris but it was another 3-3.

The Bees were now unable to use a tactical ride for the rest of the meeting. Hans Andersen and Hansen went against Poole's two Polish riders. Less than half a lap was ridden before the two Poles crashed and Pawlicki who needed treatment was disqualified. Janowski took on the two Bees riders who needed a 5-1. However, Maciej Janowski took the lead and won in a 3-3.

Howarth and Sarjeant took on Morris and Newman. Howarth got into the lead but Sarjeant was at the back and it was another 3-3.

Poole now led 40-32, leaving the Bees needing three 5-1's as Harris and Andersen rode in heat thirteen.The Bees briefly led but Janowski got into the lead on the third lap and Poole Pirates took a 3-3 which was enough for them to win the meeting and the Elite League title for the sixth time.

Garrity and Hansen went in heat fourteen but Milik and Newman took a lead and won 5-1. Harris and Howarth went in the final heat of the season but Janowski and Pawlicki got into the lead and took a 5-1 to increase their margin of victory.