Wolves win Elite Shield at a canter

Wolves 55 Poole 38

(Wolves win Elite Shield 98-90 on aggregate)

Wolves' supporting cast stepped into the spotlight for their very own awards night.

Needless to say, Fredrik Lindgren and Peter Karlsson had the biggest speeches, the former unbeaten in six starts and the latter defeated only once.

But overturning a nine-point deficit to take the Elite Shield without Tai Woffinden needed plenty from the back-up crew - and they duly stepped forward.

The sharp Ty Proctor shared in three 5-1 heat wins while Ludvig Lindgren contributed vital points.

But it was Ricky Wells, who hitherto has probably had his best moments for Wolves away from Monmore, whose three race wins did as much as anything to claim the prize.

Poole were always likely to be up against it once No 1 Chris Holder withdrew through illness.

However, the Pirates, with Darcy Ward always hungry for the fray, managed to keep in touch.

And team manager Neil Middleditch displayed iron will in holding back his double-point tactical ride for five heats before unleashing Ward in the 12th.

The young Aussie won at a canter, and with Wells at the back and Russian Renat Gafurov resisting everything the younger Lindgren could throw at him, the 8-1 put the Pirates two up on aggregate with three to go.

Dennis Andersson had the temerity to make the start on Wolves' big two in the next, but both were past and away inside a lap and now it was Wolves who were two to the good.

Once more Wells and the younger Lindgren were in the firing line against Gafurov, partnered now by Jason Doyle.

Wells made the best start, but with rivals inside and outside him had he left his turn two exit that crucial fraction too late? So it seemed as the Pirates put clear air behind them - only for Wells to ride cleanly between the two on the back straight and hit the front.

It was cheeky, it was audacious but above all it was gutsy and the crowd roared as one, knowing that if Wells could hang on for the win their side would need only parity in the final heat to take the spoils.

Indeed, Wells did hang on - but there was a big bonus to come as Lindgren chased down Gafurov and rounded him on the final lap.

Now only a 5-1 could get Poole level but, hard though Ward chased, Karlsson and the elder Lindgren were in full control to finish in style.

Stars never leave the limelight for too long.

By Tim Hamblin