Wolves return to winning ways at Monmore Green
Wolves survived a major scare before returning to winning ways with a confidence-boosting six-point victory over Lakeside in a Monmore Green thriller.
Having gone three meetings without success, they dug in after a sluggish start to edge a crucial win. Some slow starting left the home side four points behind after nine races against a very lively Hammers outfit.
But some textbook team riding from Piotr Pawlicki and Ty Proctor brought them level and proved the catalyst for a memorable late surge after the interval.
A tense heat 13 saw Pawlicki pick off club legend Peter Karlsson to give Wolves the lead for the first time before a composed win for Californian Ricky Wells gave them a four-point advantage entering heat 15.
Despite conceding last heat 5-1s in three of their last four outings, Pawlicki and Wells banished their demons with a 4-2 to ensure their side emerged victorious. World champion Tai Woffinden endured another tough evening, but Pawlicki and Wells – backed by solid efforts elsewhere – gave Wolves enough, although Lakeside picked up a league point.
Wells enjoyed a splendid evening, storming past Richard Lawson for a spectacular win in his opening ride before combining with Ty Proctor for a timely heat six maximum.
Despite narrowly losing out to Davey Watt in a scintillating heat eight battle, the Wells responded with a classy win over Danish hotshot Mikkel Bech to earn a heat 15 appearance.
Pawlicki, meanwhile, again displayed why he is considered one of the sport's brightest young talents, dropping just one point.
Aussie ace Ty Proctor – who will now double up with Premier League Sheffield – played his part in two pivotal 5-1s.
Jacob Thorssell continued his encouraging start to the season while a solid effort at reserve from Ashley Morris helped to cover youngster Joe Jacobs, who went pointless on his comeback from a Good Friday concussion.
Wolves: Piotr Pawlicki 13+1, Ricky Wells 12, Jacob Thorssell 7+1, Ty Proctor 6+1, Ashley Morris 6+1, Tai Woffinden 4+1, Joe Jacobs 0.
Lakeside: Davey Watt 11, Peter Karlsson 9, Steve Worrall 8+2, Richard Lawson 7+1, Mikkel Bech 5, Ben Morley 2, Lewis Bridger 0.
