Wolves challenge in tatters

Wolves Speedway's Craven Shield challenge for 2007 looks to be over at the first hurdle, following a disappointing performance in their first group fixture at Ipswich last night, writes Dave Goddard.

The side's away form has been poor during this season, and once again they were left trailing in the three-team tournament as Ipswich and Coventry scrapped for top spot.

The evening's bright spot was an improved showing from the pairing of David Howe and Billy Hamill, who accumulated a large share of the Wolves' eventual total of 23 points - 19 less than second placed Coventry.

Howe continued the good form he showed in Birmingham's Second City Trophy the previous evening on his way to paid nine points, but was still left disappointed by the team's overall performance.

"Even though I've had a good night, it's still a downer when the team finishes so far behind," he said.

"We just weren't gating as a team - I can't see us pulling back such a big score," he commented on Wolves' chances of progressing to the Craven Shield final.

Hamill, meanwhile, took some time to get up to speed on a damp and slippery Foxhall Heath track, but teamed up with Howe for two 5-1 advantages in heats 10 and 14.

Kenneth Hansen's inexplicable absence saw Premier League man Tommy Allen, of Rye House, drafted in, but he failed to trouble the scorers as did Will Lawson.

Freddie Lindgren, meanwhile, seemed down on power on his way to five points.

Coventry and Ipswich swapped the lead throughout the 18 heats, despite the Bees being without Chris 'Bomber' Harris, who was racing abroad.

The racing was largely processional due to the wet conditions, with a close heat 12 much the race of the night.

A 4-2 in the final race eventually swung the meeting in favour of the Witches by a single point, despite Scott Nicholls and Rory Schlein recording maximums for the Bees.

The second leg of the group is staged at Coventry tonight, with the action beginning at 7.45.