Wolves secure Trophy success
Wolverhampton clinched the Midland Trophy with a 45-45 draw against Birmingham after what turned out to be a perfectly-matched second leg at Perry Barr.
The Monmore men had built a 17-point lead in their home leg, and were able to defend that advantage even with big hitters Peter Karlsson and Billy Hamill sitting out the return fixture.
A classy Fredrik Lindgren and William Lawson took maximum points in the first heat, and from that moment Wolves never looked like relinquishing the aggregate lead, although the Brummies fought hard with Jason Lyons in typically inspirational form.
And Czech youngster Filip Sitera, making his debut at the circuit, enhanced his growing reputation with three straight race wins after taking one ride to get the track weighed up.
Birmingham moved into a six-point lead on the night wth a 4-2 in Heat 12, but Wolves hit back and levelled the scores in Heat 14 when Chris Kerr produced some brilliant team-riding to shepherd home Jack Hargreaves for a 5-1.
Lindgren took control of the last race although Sitera and Jason Lyons managed to share the points to ensure that honours on the night were even – and the Brummies now prepare for their crucial Young Shield Final first leg at Redcar.
Birmingham: Jason Lyons 15+1, Filip Sitera 13, Phil Morris 8+1, Lee Smart 5+1, Shaun Tacey 2+1, Paul Clews 2, Henning Bager r/r.
Wolverhampton: Fredrik Lindgren 13+1, Chris Kerr 7+2, William Lawson 7+1, Jack Hargreaves 6, Kenneth Hansen 5+1, Nicolai Klindt 4, Joe Haines 3.
