Wolves take a thrashing at the leaders

Just two days after snatching a stunning comeback win over the Pirates at Monmore Green, Peter Adams' side were unable to build on their heroics.

Having given their confidence a timely boost, they travelled to Wimborne Road with high hopes of ending their torrid form on their travels.

Yet they nonetheless left their ninth consecutive away meeting with nothing to show for their efforts.

With reserve duo Lewis Blackbird (injury) and Josh Bates (illness) ruled out, the visitors were left desperately short of lower order strength.

Guesting duo James Sarjeant and Robert Branford were unable to defeat an opposing rider with the exception of a Kyle Newman retirement in heat 12.

It was a 5-1 in the first reserves race in heat two which instantly put them on the back foot, before heat-leader duo Freddie Lindgren and Ricky Wells were left trailing in the very next race.

It proved a sign of things to come as their heat-leaders were outdone by their powerful Poole counterparts, while their shortcomings at reserve prevented them from making up any ground.

After Poole's Grand Prix stars Maciej Janowski and Chris Holder comfortably hit the front in heat seven, Wolves put a tactical ride on flying Swede Jacob Thorssell.

Although the youngster took a classy victory, Branford was left trailing to minimise the impact.

POOLE 60: Dakota North 14+1, Maciej Janowski 10+2, Davey Watt 10, Chris Holder 8+1, Paul Starke 7+1, Kacper Gomolski 6+1, Kyle Newman 5+2.

When the meeting drew to a close Wolves had managed just two race wins, and with Poole's reserve notching vital third places to chip away at the Monmore men they were never in contention for a consolation point.

Polish hotshot Tobiasz Musielak did put in a typically-determined showing including a hard-fought race win in heat four, whilst Thorssell continued his impressive form with a solid showing.

Yet skipper Peter Karlsson, Freddie Lindgren and Ricky Wells were unable to contribute any race victories.

Meanwhile, Cradley Heathens picked up their biggest win of the season with a dominant display against Buxton at Perry Barr.

The Heathens led by just two points after three races but it should have been more, as Ellis Perks fell while leading a 5-1 in heat two to gift Buxton their only heat advantage of the night.

Perks showed great character to bounce back instantly by winning heats four and five, as the Heathens extended their lead to eight-points.

CRADLEY 61: Max Clegg 15, Ellis Perks 15, Matt Williamson 13+2, Arron Mogridge 9+3, Michael Neale 5+2, Tyler Govier 4+1, Nathan Greaves R/R.

A further 4-2 in the next allowed the visitors to nominate Ryan Blacklock on a tactical ride, but a good ride from Matt Williamson ensured the Heathens still led by 10.

But Cradley would only get even stronger, as they raced their way to another six heat advantages in the second half of the meeting.

Arron Mogridge picked up paid wins behind skipper Max Clegg and Perks either side of a 4-2 in heats eight and 10.

Williamson rode a super race to pass the experienced Tony Atkin for a share of the spoils in heat 11, before Perks picked up a fifth consecutive win for another 5-1 with comeback star Michael Neale.

Clegg picked up two classy race wins in the big heats of 13 and 15 to complete a full, five-ride maximum.

It was the perfect start to a busy few days for the Heathens, who travel to Sheffield in a challenge tonight before a league trip to King's Lynn tomorrow.