Wolverhampton Wolves secure advantage in win over Belle Vue

The tie is, of course a repeat of last year's Grand Final – and the Parrys International Wolves have given themselves a fighting chance of going through to defend their title against Swindon.

Having established a six-point advantage, back to back Wolves 5-1s in heats nine and 10 catapulted them into a 14-point lead.

But Belle Vue don't lack spirit and clawed back six points in the space of two races to leave the tie in the balance.

In addition, Wolves have an injury concern over Jacob Thorssell, who departed by ambulance following a heavy fall in the penultimate race after bumping with Rohan Tungate.

As ever, it was maximum man Freddie Lindgren who led the way for the home outfit. The Swede, who finished in style by bursting through to join Rory Schlein for a last heat 5-1, set the tone right from the first race by passing opposite number one Kenneth Bjerre on lap two.

The Aces couldn't pick up too many heat wins early on – Craig Cook was their only man first to the flag in the opening half-dozen races -- but packed the minor placings where possible. However, their cause wasn't helped by a series of falls.

It took an extraordinary heat five for the home side to eke out their advantage to four points. Initially Thorssell and Schlein were looking down the barrel of an Aces 5-1, but Thorssell powered past Steve Worrall and Bjerre in great style before Schlein made it a 4-2 by pipping the latter on the line.

An immediate 5-1 from Lindgren and Kyle Howarth over Cook, who fell when third, and Dan Bewley made the gap eight and suddenly Wolves had their tails up.

And although the Aces then cut the deficit to six, Cook's second fall of the evening proved costly as Schlein and Thorssell took an inevitable maximum over the outgunned Rob Shuttleworth in the rerun race nine.

Tungate was next to hit the shale, and as Lindgren eased clear in the rerun Kyle Howarth won a pass and re-pass battle with Max Fricke.

But back came Belle Vue as Bjerre and the excellent Worrall saw off Sam Masters. But Lindgren had the last word. Now it's all eyes on Manchester.