Wolves survive a scare to stay top of Elite League

Both injury-ravaged sides put on a good show for a bumper Monmore Green crowd last night.

And the Pirates pulled back from a seemingly hopeless position to give themselves a chance of a consolation point. The meeting featured everything from a five-lap heat to races with only two finishers.

But after 14 heats, Wolves required a magnificent heat 15 ride from guesting No.1 Chris Harris and Tai Woffinden to secure maximum points following a resilient Poole fightback.

Despite holding a 17- point lead after 10 outings, Wolves let their comfortable advantage slip to set up a nervy finale.

Needing a 3-3 in the final race, Woffinden cleverly slowed the race down from second place to allow partner Harris to pass Martin Smolinski for the third place the home side desperately required.

The race capped off a great evening for both Harris and the returning Woffinden as the duo spearheaded the side in the absence of skipper Fredrik Lindgren.

Birmingham man Harris stepped in admirably for the Swedish star, bagging three race wins in his opening three rides and being the only man to lower the colours of GP sensation Darcy Ward.

Woffinden also put in a classy display to make paid double figures – fighting through the pain barrier in the closing stages having aggravated his collarbone injury when shoved wide in his third outing.

Adam Skornicki again impressed as third heat-leader, recording two race wins and fighting his way to a crucial second place in the penultimate race of the night with a determined effort.

Wolves 49: Chris Harris 11+2, Adam Skornicki 9+1, Tai Woffinden 8+2, Jacob Thorssell 7+2, Ludvig Lindgren 7+1, Ricky Wells 7, Ty Proctor R-R.

Poole 42: Darcy Ward 17, Rohan Tungate 14+2, Martin Smolinski 5+1, Micky Dyer 4, Maciej Janowski 2, Josh Grajczonek 0, Thomas H. Jonasson R-R.

By Richard Jones