Sam Masters' showing fails to save Wolverhampton Wolves
Spectacular Sam Masters put in a stunning performance but could not prevent Wolverhampton suffering a 53-40 defeat in their top of the table clash at Belle Vue, writes Rich Jones.
The Parrys International Wolves lost ground to the league leaders after a battling display at the National Speedway Stadium.
They looked right in contention entering the closing stages before the home side pulled clear with decisive 5-1s in heats 13 and 14.
Aussie ace Masters roared to a sensational 17-point haul but his efforts proved in vain as they left Manchester empty handed.
He beat Kenneth Bjerre to take his second victory in heat six and move Wolves within two points as reserve Ellis Perks held off Steve Worrall for third place.
Yet by the time he next appeared, Wolves had fallen eight down after teenage sensation Dan Bewley brilliantly blasted around Freddie Lindgren on the opening lap of heat seven and roared clear alongside Rohan Tungate.
Tungate then magnificently saw off his Australian compatriot Masters in heat nine after Masters tried everything to find a way around the outside to retake the lead.
The result of that race put Wolves in tactical ride territory, and Masters duly delivered a marvellous win by holding his nerve around the outside to pull clear of Bjerre.
However, his partner Rory Schlein was left stranded at the back as his struggles in the middle order left Wolves just short of firepower against an excellent Aces’ side.
Schlein recorded a composed win in heat 12 to move Wolves within five points and briefly give them hopes of a consolation point before the tremendous Tungate roared from last to first after the Wolves man had briefly taken the lead in heat 14.
It was the penultimate race when Wolves’ chances went up in flames, as did Ellis Perks’ bike which caught fire while he was chasing at the back.
Perks put in a creditable performance in his first meeting since signing for the Monmore men on a 28-day contract.
He was always in close contention and could have left with more than four points to show for his efforts on another evening.
Guest Ben Barker struggled to make a major impact, as did reserve Nathan Greaves, and the absence of crucial heat-leader Jacob Thorssell due to a re-arranged fixture in Poland proved costly.
Wolves will be back in action as they head to King’s Lynn looking to return to winning ways.
