Coventry Storm Speedway Team started their National League campaign with a 47-43 defeat at Cradley.
The Storm took a 4-2 win in the opening heat after Martin Knuckey and fallen and remounted but suffered a 5-1 loss in the second heat.
After three 3-3's the Storm came back with a 4-2 thanks to Dan Greenwood winning in a re-run heat six.
The next heat finished in a 3-3 before Cradley had 5-1 and 4-2 wins, followed by two more 3-3's and a 4-2 to see the Storm eight points down going into the final three heats.
Heat thirteen had to be re-run after a crash involving Max Clegg, Nathan Greaves and Dan Greenwood. All three were able to walk away, When it was re-run, Dan Greenwood won in a 5-1 for the Storm.
Heat fourteen finished in a 3-3 meaning the Storm were still four points down going into the final heat.
Heat fifteen was re-run and saw a nasty crash involving Crang and the race awarded as a 3-3 which meant a 47-43 defeat for the Storm