Heathens score vital win over co-tenants

The depleted Heathens showed plenty of grit and determination to overcome the absence of Matt Williamson, due to injury, to claim local bragging rights in a tense last-heat decider.

Having suffered a last-gasp defeat when the sides met in the Cradley home clash back in June, they gained revenge in the sweetest way possible.

They appeared set for a long night when skipper Max Clegg suffered mechanical gremlins on the opening lap of heat one.

But he bounced back in style to notch 11+1 points as himself and the in-form Ellis Perks spearheaded a strong team performance.

Reserve duo Arron Mogridge and Tyler Govier had combined to give the Heathens an early lead in heat two.

BIRMINGHAM 44: Adam Ellis 15, Tom Perry 9+1, Zach Wajtknecht 9, Sam Chapman 4+1, Adam Kirby 4, George Hunter 2+1, Alex Wilson 1.

Perks pulled off a remarkable ride to force his way past Zach Wajtknecht before picking off Sam Chapman for victory in heat three.

With Clegg comfortably leading heat five, partner Michael Neale put pressure on Chapman causing him to hit the deck, moving the Heathens eight clear.

Yet Birmingham hit back, capitalising on a fall for the hard-charging Perks in heat seven to strike a second successive heat advantage. With rain starting to fall, wins for Clegg and Perks moved Cradley six clear.

Adam Ellis and Tom Perry struck a Brummies a 5-1 in heat 13 before Wajtknecht rounded Darryl Ritchings on the final bend of the penultimate race.

With a tense last-heat decider in prospect, Birmingham No 1 Ellis rounded off a faultless 15 point maximum in perfect fashion, but Clegg and Perks held their nerve to shut out Perry.

Meanwhile, Wolverhampton put in a battling away performance but could not prevent a 54-39 defeat against play-off chasing Belle Vue at Kirkmanshulme Lane.

After a number of crushing away setbacks, Peter Adams' side fought hard in tricky conditions with a much more creditable display but were undone by an in-form Aces side.

Polish ace Tobiasz Musielak enjoyed the best night of his Wolves career so far, while skipper Peter Karlsson recaptured his top form with a gutsy performance.

BELLE VUE 54: Craig Cook 14, Matej Zagar 10+1, Steve Worrall 8+1, Stefan Nielsen 7+1, Max Fricke 6+1,Scott Nicholls 5+1, Josh Grajczonek 4+2.

It came on a night of numerous positives despite a ninth successive away meeting without so much as a consolation point to show for their efforts.

After a win in his opening ride, the all-action Musielak prevailed in a scintillating battle with seven-time British champion Scott Nicholls for second place in heat seven before a second success of the evening in heat nine.

However, Wolves were nonetheless slipping further behind as a Belle Vue 5-1 in heat 10 left them on the back foot.

Swedish legend Karlsson gave the visitors a lifeline as he brilliantly held off Grand Prix star Matej Zagar to deliver a tactical ride victory in heat 11 and reignite hopes of a point.

Yet struggling reserve duo Lewis Blackbird and Josh Bates were left standing in heat 12, as their miserable evenings ended on a low note.

Left with a mountain to climb entering the final three races, Karlsson did combine with Freddie Lindgren for Wolves' first 5-1 after Zagar had demolished the tapes in heat 13.

The impressive Musielak ended his night by overcoming Josh Grajczonek for second in an action-packed penultimate race.

Yet Karlsson and Musielak ultimately received little support as they proved the only Wolves race winners.

Jacob Thorssell contributed a solid six points, but Swedish compatriot Lindgren could not build on his superb showing against King's Lynn at Monmore Green on Monday, as he suffered a tough night at No 1.

American Ricky Wells failed to score in the tough third heat-leader role and their reserve pairing comfortably were outscored by their Aces' counterparts.

Wolves were unable to conquer their away demons and build on Monday's hard-fought and much-needed win on home soil.

They will, nonetheless, aim to make it two home wins on the spin as they welcome Swindon to Monmore Green on Monday (7.30pm) aiming to avenge the disheartening defeat they suffered against the Robins on July 27.