Karlsson injury hits Wolves

Despite a combined total of 17 points from Kenneth Hansen and William Lawson, the Monmore men slipped to a one-point setback at the hands of the high-flying Robins.

The home side, in fairness, were fighting an uphill battle almost as soon as the tapes went up on the opening race.

Skipper Peter Karlsson was involved in a nasty collision with Tomasz Chrz-anowski and both riders ended up entangled in the first bend safety fence.

Neither rider was deemed to be at fault, but while Swindon's Polish rider was able to take his place in the re-run, Karlsson was ruled out with tyre burns and a bruised hand and was subsequently withdrawn from the meeting.

The Swede's absence undoubtedly cost Wolves any hope of victory, yet such an outcome was not beyond the realms of possibility as his team-mates refused to throw in the towel.

Despite their handicap, Peter Adams' side were never more than six points adrift in a compelling contest which produced some of the most fiercely contested racing seen at the track all season.

Skipper When Billy Hamill and Hansen roared to a 5-1 in heat 12, in fact, Wolves even managed to sneak ahead for the first time - only to see their hopes evaporate in the last two races.

Lawson's battling effort to pass Sebastian Ulamek earned the young Scot second place in the penultimate race and kept the one-point advantage intact, only for the match to slip away right at the death.

Wolves needed to share the spoils in the final heat to secure victory but while Freddie Lindgren and Hamill initially tucked in behind Leigh Adams, Lindgren's bold attempt to catch the Swindon skipper left Hamill exposed and he was passed by Lee Richardson.

It was such an anti-climax after Wolves had battled so bravely in the wake of Karlsson's injuries, but it simply wasn't the home side's night.

For all their disappointments, though, that max-imum success in heat 12 will live long in the memories of the Monmore faithful.

Hamill and Hansen initially surged past the Robins pairing of Lee Richardson and Andrew Moore on the back straight of the first lap, only for Richardson to use all his experience to force his way past the young Dane on the third lap.

But Hansen brilliantly cut back inside coming off the fourth turn and held on for second place.

What a pity his superb efforts were not rewarded.