Wolves beaten by the Eagles

Despite some predictions of a big win over Eastbourne, Wolves once again lacked bite as they slipped to a 45-48 home defeat in last night's Elite League encounter.

Christian Hefenbrock's expected return from injury did not happen after the German failed a late fitness test.

Things began badly for the side, as Scott Nicholls and Lewis Bridger outpaced skipper Freddie Lindgren in the opening heat.

The score was finely balanced over the next few heats, with Niels Kristian Iversen repeating the form he showed for Denmark in the World Cup and looking consistently fast.

Thereafter repeated mechanical problems for Nicolai Klindt, who failed to complete a lap in three successive rides, and busy reserve Kenneth Hansen began to take their toll, as the Eagles pulled ahead.

A fightback was inspired by Iversen in heat 12. After David Howe was beaten by Bridger and Nicholls in heat 11, Wolves were far enough behind to make use of a tactical ride, so manager Peter Adams handed Iversen the black and white helmet.

He enjoyed a fine battle with Lee Richardson, with the Great Britain international trying a desperate outside attack on the last turn only to fall and allow Klindt through to complete a Wolves 8-1, reducing the deficit from 10 points to three.

A Wolves 4-2 in heat 13 reduced the gap to a solitary point and restored hope, before controversy followed in heat 14.

Hansen and Cameron Woodward had already clashed and plunged into the air fence in heat seven. On the first attempt at the penultimate race, a hard first corner sent the Australian sprawling.

Referee Ronnie Allan allowed all four in the re-run. This time Woodward appeared to carve across the front of Hansen on the first turn, with the former coming down as a result of the subsequent contact.

Allan opted to exclude Hansen, much to the disappointment of the big Monmore crowd. Klindt had no answer to Woodward and the impressive Simon Gustafsson in the re-run, as they sealed three Elite League points for the Eagles.

Hansen was kept busy as a result of Hefenbrock's late withdrawal, while Ales Dryml had a dreadful evening.

Following his blank scorecard for the Czech Republic in the World Cup, Dryml picked up his only point of the night after Klindt pulled up in heat eight, and then spun off at the first turn of heat 10.

Wolves will pick themselves up once again as they prepare to visit fellow Elite League strugglers Coventry on Friday, while Ipswich visit Monmore Green next Monday.

Point scorers

Wolves: Lindgren 12, Dryml 1, Iversen 14+1, Hefenbrock rider replacement, Howe 6, Hansen 7+1, Klindt 5+2

Eastbourne: Nicholls 11+1, Bridger 9+2, Richardson 7, Woodward 3+2, Kennett 9, Gustafsson 7+1, Brundle 2

Heat details

1: Nicholls (55.00), Bridger, Lindgren, Dryml. 1-5, 1-5.

2: Hansen (55.97), Klindt, Brundle, Gustafsson. 5-1, 6-6.

3: Iversen (55.60), Richardson, Hansen, Woodward. 4-2, 10-8.

4: Kennett (56.11), Howe, Brundle, Klindt (ret). 2-4, 12-12.

5: Iversen (55.76), Nicholls, Bridger, Hansen (ret). 3-3, 15-15.

6: Kennett (55.69), Lindgren, Gustafsson, Dryml. 2-4, 17-19.

7 (awarded): Richardson (no time), Howe, Hansen, Woodward (fell, excl). 3-3, 20-22.

8: Bridger (55.97), Gustafsson, Dryml, Klindt (ret). 1-5, 21-27.

9: Kennett (56.22), Hansen, Iversen, Brundle. 3-3, 24-30.

10: Lindgren (56.02), Richardson, Woodward, Dryml (fell). 3-3, 27-33.

11: Bridger (56.52), Nicholls, Howe, Klindt, Hansen (excl, 2 mins). 1-5, 28-38.

12: Iversen (double) (56.46), Klindt, Gustafsson, Richardson (fell, excl). 8-1, 36-39.

13: Lindgren (56.04), Nicholls, Howe, Kennett. 4-2, 40-41.

14 (re-run): Gustafsson (57.25), Woodward, Klindt, Hansen (fell, excl). 1-5, 41-46.

15: Lindgren (56.08), Nicholls, Iversen, Kennett. 4-2, 45-48.