Double cheers for Dudley Heathens

Dudley 57 King's Lynn 39

Dudley Heathens got their double desire at 'Monmore Wood' last night – victory and a clean bill of health.

Those may not seem lofty ambitions, but after a torrid post-Fours run of six defeats in seven matches which has seen nasty injuries for Adam Roynon, Richard Franklin, Jon Armstrong and Kyle Newman, the Heathens were happy to take what was on offer.

Lynn produced glimpses of spirited opposition in wet and slushy conditions, but Dudley were superior in pretty well all departments.

Guest Adam Allott, who had notched a five-ride maximum for Buxton at the circuit last week, added a further four victories to be unbeaten again.

Allott displayed the family sharpness at the tapes, but there's more to him than just a quick clutch hand.

He had to work very hard to get past James Cockle in heat six, but managed it on the back straight of the final lap.

Cockle's three heat wins represented the biggest threat from Lynn, while Lewis Blackbird grabbed a couple too.

Like Cockle, Blackbird won his double-point tactical ride but his dice with Ashley Morris to do so, which took place in heat 11 with the conditions arguably at their worst, did both of them great honour.

They were wheel to wheel on the third and fourth corners on three of the four laps, without either ever looking likely to come to grief.

Morris, captain in the injury absence of more seasoned campaigners, also had to shoulder the responsibility of the number five racejacket in a switch by team boss Will Pottinger.

His paid 13 featured a super win from the back in heat four. Also back on the button were the stylish Darryl Ritchings and Tom Perry, while Jamie Courtney produced a rock solid paid 10.

By Tim Hamblin