Coventry Cycle Speedway team began their hectic end of season programme of matches by racing to a 102-78 home Midland League success over East Park Wolves at Hearsall Common last Sunday afternoon.
In an entertaining encounter, on a superbly prepared track, the two sides were evenly matched in the early stages. Coventry, with several riders nursing injuries, struggled for supremacy as East Park shared a succession of heats with some fine team riding.
Four of the first five heats were drawn, with Coventry leading by just two points after heat 5. However, with Great Britain star Myke Grimes and youngster Mason Phillips in outstanding form, the home side became increasingly assertive.
Successive maximum heats wins to Coventry in heats 6 and 7, with Australian ace Bobby McMillan and 1983 British junior champion Dave Frith producing superb team riding, put Coventry on course for victory.
Two more shared heats followed as the home side reached the interval – heat 9 – with a comfortable 50-40 advantage.
Frith teamed-up with fellow veteran Joe McLaughlin – who raced through from the back – as Coventry started the second half in winning form by taking heat 10.
Further race wins to Grimes, Phillips and McMillan followed as Coventry forged ahead throughout the second half and a final heat Grimes-Frith maximum success ensured Coventry had completed a league double over East Park for the first time.
Grimes recorded a bonus maximum, racing unbeaten by an opponent whilst fellow international star McMillan, suffering from a foot injury, dropped just a single point to an opposition rider.
However, it was teenage star Phillips who stole the show, with a dazzling display to drop just a single point. Assured, fast and showing an increasing confidence, Phillips underlined his outstanding progress this year on his way to a bonus 19 point haul.
Coventry had further reasons to cheer from the performances of two more of their emerging starlets. Dan Drewett returned to his best form, whilst Ollie Morris, promoted to the first team on merit, scored in two of his outings.
Coventry point scorers: Myke Grimes 19, Bobby McMillan 18, Mason Phillips 16, Dan Drewett 16, Dave Frith 14, Matt Hambidge 7, Ollie Morris 7 and Joe McLaughlin 5.
East Park hit back to win the supporting Midland League, division 2, match by 78-50 against the ever trying Coventry youngsters.
Coventry point scorers: Ollie Morris 12, Jake Slatter 9, Josh Marsh 8, Charlie Barnett 8, Spencer Sawbridge 7 and Sammi Marsh 6.
In the final match of the afternoon, Coventry kept-up their challenge to win the Midland Junior League by accounting for East Park, this time by the 50-29 score line.
Coventry point scorers:
Ben Wells 15, Jimmy Wassall 14, Bailie Phillips 12, Jack Reynolds 5 and Sam Slatter 4.
Coventry are next in first team action on Sunday 27th September (2pm start), when they play host to Wednesfield Dragons at Hearsall Common.
After enjoying their best ever season in the British Junior & Youth League – the sports premier junior competition – Coventry go to Wednesfield this Saturday (19th September) for the final round.
Brandon Bees went down 66-64 in a sporting match at Wednesfield Aces in the Midland League, division 2, on Tuesday evening with Dave Frith topping the scorers for the Bees.