Wolves seize big cup lead

The Parrys International Wolves hit top form and crushed their opponents with a ruthless display to build up a huge lead ahead oftomorrow night’s semi-final second leg at the Oaktree Arena.

Despite being without heat-leader Jacob Thorssell due to the Swedish play-offs, Peter Adams’ side were a class above the Rebels.

They reeled off five 5-1s in the opening six races to all but end the meeting as a contest as they moved one step closer to achieving a league and cup double whilst boosting their confidence ahead of Monday’s SGB Premiership play-off semi-final first leg against Belle Vue on home shale.

They got off to a dream start as Freddie Lindgren missed the gate in heat one but lined up a perfect cutback to slice underneath both Rebels’ riders and hit the front alongside team-mate Kyle Howarth.

Sam Masters and Rory Schlein demonstrated a team riding masterclass to shut out Australian compatriot Josh Grajczonek in heat five.

In fact, the only points dropped by the home side in the early exchanges came via their own mistakes.

Reserve duo Mark Riss and Nathan Greaves cruised to a 5-1 with ease in heat two, but Greaves picked up some grip and awkwardly fell after doing well to hold off heat-leader Richard Lawson for two laps in heat four.

And Riss also came to grief on turns three and four, clattering into Charles Wright in a nasty incident from which both riders were lucky to walk away in heat seven.

The visitors improved as the meeting progressed, but they were no match for Peter Adams’ powerful side, for whom four riders ended with double figures.

Skipper Lindgren, fresh off the back of his Premiership Riders’ Championship victory at Belle Vue on Saturday, was as reliable as ever in the No.1 spot.

He came within a whisker of an unbeaten evening, as did the impressive Kyle Howarth, but they both suffered their only defeat when Lewis Kerr popped out of the start and rode a composed four laps in heat 10.

Schlein and Masters impressed in the engine room of the side as they comfortably covered Thorssell with a perfect 10+2 points from his rider replacement rides.

And with Riss and Greaves also adding solid scores, it was a complete all-around team performance.

WOLVERHAMPTON 59: Freddie Lindgren 15+2, Sam Masters 13+1, Rory Schlein 13, Kyle Howarth 11+3, Nathan Greaves 4+1, Mark Riss 3, Jacob Thorssell R/R.

SOMERSET 31: Richard Lawson 11, Lewis Kerr 7+1, Paul Starke 6+1, Jake Allen 3+1, Josh Grajczonek 2+1, Charles Wright 2, Patrick Hougaard R/R.