Wolves win impresses Mick

Mick McCarthy switched from Molineux to Monmore Green last night - and he must be hoping his presence proves a good omen for the new football season, writes Rob Taylor.

Making his first-ever visit to a speedway match, the Wolves manager can't fail to have been impressed by the fighting spirit displayed by Peter Adams' side in an absorbing contest.

There was never any prospect of the Monmore men even contemplating the bonus point, having been thrashed 63-27 at Wimborne Road earlier in the season.

But their gritty display ensured a thrilling home victory over a Poole outfit who are one of the strongest units in the Elite League.

"It was a great spectacle," said McCarthy. "I thoroughly enjoyed it."

The club's special guest met Freddie Lindgren in the pits before the match and then watched in admiration as the young Swede maintained his superb home form.

Having roared to a 15-point maximum against Reading last week, Lindgren was again in hungry mood, dropping his only point to a visiting rider when he trailed World Champion Jason Crump in the final heat, by which time Wolves were already assured of victory.

The youngster once again endeared himself to Wolves supporters with some spectacular action, most notably a brilliant win in heat 11.

Trailing from the tapes, he cut inside Crump on the pits bend on the third lap and then brought the crowd to their feet with a breathtaking sweep around Troy Batchelor on the final turn.

Peter Karlsson also had reason to celebrating, giving his side a tremendous fillip when won the opening heat in a track record 54.59 seconds.

With David Howe following him home for a 5-1, it was the perfect start and by the sixth heat Wolves had established a comfortable 10-point advantage.

But Poole are a potent force these days and by heat 12 the deficit had been reduced to just two as the home side, despite Lindgren's best efforts, went half a dozen races without taking major points.

Wolves' cause during that spell, to be fair, was hardly helped when Billy Hamill, having recovered from a slow start to pass Steve Boxall, ground to a halt while challenging Craig Boyce for the lead.

That summed up a disappointing night for the American, who failed to record a win, while recent signing Kenneth Hansen was also off the pace, enduring three point-less rides.

But the home side were back in the ascendancy when Karlsson and Lindgren scored a crucial 5-1 at Crump's expense in heat 13 - and when William Lawson and Magnus Karlsson followed up by claming the minor placings as Edward Kennett won heat 14, the home side were assured of victory.