Wolves save Elite League place
Wolves confirmed their place in the 2009 Elite League with a 53-39 defeat of Edinburgh in Monmore Green's season-closer.
Wolves confirmed their place in the 2009 Elite League with a 53-39 defeat of Edinburgh in Monmore Green's season-closer.
The side were already 16 points ahead after Friday's first leg of the relegation play-off in Scotland.
Although the Monarchs put up a game battle, the aggregate result was never really in doubt as Wolves triumphed 106-76 overall and avoided relegation to the Premier League.
A massive crowd, including several fans from north of the border who were still celebrating the Monarchs' Premier League title win, packed into Monmore Green on a cold but dry evening. The promotion even sold out of programmes before the start.
Many predicted a big win for the home side, but Edinburgh gave the Wolves no chance to ease off the throttle. A 5-1 from Andrew Tully and the impressive Ryan Fisher in heat 7 reduced the gap to just four points on the night.
Guesting reserve James Brundle had inflicted a shock defeat on home skipper Fredrik Lindgren one race earlier and continued to race well throughout the night on the way to seven points.
Nicolai Klindt was the rider of the night for Wolves, coming close to his maiden maximum for the club after some ultra-fast gating, only to slow late on in heat 15.
The racing improved as the meeting progressed on a well-prepared track, with Jesper B Monberg and William Lawson enjoying two superb battles in heats 11 and 13, while the latter race saw Lindgren pip the ex-Wolf for second place on the line.
Eastbourne's Lewis Bridger was a fine choice of guest for Morten Risager, surviving a heart-stopping moment in heat 14 when he clipped Tully's back wheel and somehow avoiding hurtling into the back straight fence.
The teenager not only recovered but passed the young Scot and went on to win, celebrating with "doughnuts" on the home straight and a full-lap wheelie.
David Howe continued the improved form he showed in the first leg.
Niels Kristian Iversen's rides were taken by number eight Chris Neath, with the Rye House man showing he has lost none of his form around Monmore Green, getting stuck in all night, including a win in heat 9.
Wolves had their Elite League safety sewn up by heat 12, and the big crowd went home for the winter break in high spirits, with skipper Lindgren stating that things can only get better for the club in 2009.
