Wolves crowned speedway champions
Wolves have scratched a seven-year itch by being crowned Elite League speedway champions at Swindon.
They lost 52-41 in the play-off final second leg last night, but prevailed 95-90 on aggregate on the back of their 16-point home win last week.
But the league title, the Parrys International Wolves' first since 2002, carried a whiff of controversy as far as the Robins were concerned.
The home team claimed that Wolves No 1 Fredrik Lindgren should have been excluded from the pivotal heat 13. The Swede was the meat in a Leigh Adams and Matej Zagar first turn sandwich, flew out of control collecting partner and captain Peter Karlsson on the way, as both ploughed into the safety fence.
But referee Dave Robinson, having studied the Sky TV replays, brought all four riders back – and Lindgren won the re-run to guarantee the triumph and usher in wild celebrations among the travelling black and gold hordes.
The victory – after Wolves finished bottom of the league last year – was team manager Peter Adams' eighth of his career and the boss wants to make it 10 before retiring.
He said: "Hopefully we won't have to wait so long next time before I can add to the list."
Club owner Chris Van Straaten was delighted after the traumas of last season.
He said: "What a transformation. I am especially proud that we kept the same team right through the season, while all the opposition made changes."
The victory was particularly special for Tai Woffinden, who takes an Elite League winner's medal in his first season in the top flight - while his father Rob tackles cancer.
He said: "It's been tough, but you just have to get on with it. It's good to see Dad around and hopefully he can keep plugging away for a long time to come."
