Wolves' home comforts are abruptly halted

A heavy downpour while the riders were at the tapes for heat one threatened the meeting – and although track staff worked wonders to get the match on, tricky conditions went against the home side.

Already heavily depleted with Freddie Lindgren and Tobiasz Musielak both sidelined through injury, team boss Peter Adams' side struggled against the Stars with their home advantage significantly diminished.

They were sluggish out of the start as they conceded back to back 5-1s in heats three and four – although guest Chris Harris and influential skipper Peter Karlsson brilliantly hit back in heat seven.

Karlsson again sprang into action, this time shepherding home another guest, Danny King in heat 10 to give Wolves hope as they trailed by four entering the closing stages.

Yet they suffered a crucial 5-1 in the second reserve race in heat 12 before Grand Prix star – and former Wolf – Niels-Kristian Iversen sliced through to hit the front in heat 13 and put the final nail in the home coffin.

Despite a gritty display in difficult circumstances, the Monmore men recorded only five race winners on an eventful evening.

On a track where making the start proved imperative following the rainfall, Wolves were simply second best out of the gate all evening as they slipped to defeat.

Although he continued his strong run of form, club legend Karlsson experienced an inconsistent evening in the No.5 spot.

With guesting Coventry duo Harris and King solid but unspectacular in the other heat-leader positions, the hosts simply lacked the firepower needed to see off a powerhouse Stars side.

All-action youngster Josh Bates claimed a fine victory in heat two yet faded as the meeting progressed, while Ricky Wells scored in each ride but could not record any race wins.

It was also a night to forget for Lewis Blackbird, with a fall in his final ride compounding his forgettable evening in the lower order.

Swedish youngster Jacob Thorssell impressed with a composed display at No.2, looking at ease with track conditions as he ended his evening on a high as he took the chequered flag in heat 11.

However, it was not enough to prevent Wolves from maintaining their unbeaten home record on a difficult evening.

They will return to action looking to bounce back from three consecutive defeats as they welcome Lakeside to Monmore Green next Monday.

Wolves: Chris Harris 9+1, Peter Karlsson 8+1, Jacob Thorssell 7+1, Ricky Wells 5+1, Danny King 4+1, Josh Bates 4, Lewis Blackbird 3+1.

King's Lynn: Steve Worrall 14, Kenneth Bjerre , Rory Schlein , Robert Lambert 7+1, Niels-Kristian Iversen 5, Ashley Morris 3+2, Nicklas Porsing 3+1.