Wolverhampton Wolves quickly out of the blocks
Wonderful Wolves opened up their SGB Premiership campaign with an impressive 60-30 win over Rye House at Monmore Green.
After a frustrating wait to get their season under way, Peter Adams’ revamped side made up for lost time with a ruthless home display.
It was a fine performance from the Monmore men in their first action since suffering league and cup heartache at the end of last year.
Swedish star Jacob Thorssell, who saw his 2017 season cruelly ended by a broken back, enjoyed a dream return to the scene of his accident with a dominant display.
His faultless 15-point maximum against a powerful Rockets side silenced any doubting his credentials after inheriting the No.1 spot from Grand Prix ace Freddie Lindgren.
He roared around Chris Harris to take the lead in the opening race alongside Kyle Howarth, one of four 5-1s from the inspirational pairing as Howarth also ended the night unbeaten.
The Mancunian prevailed in a frantic tussle with Aaron Summers early in heat eight, while Thorssell demonstrated expert team riding on more than one occasion, including a heat 13 triumph alongside Sam Masters.
Masters, who broke his leg in the Australian Championships in January, defied his fitness struggles with a sharp-starting performance while new skipper Rory Schlein also suffered just one defeat.
Local lad Ashley Morris enjoyed a dream return to his hometown club at reserve, notching paid nine points with a tremendous showing.
He took the scalps of seven-times British champion Scott Nicholls and former world No.2 Krzysztof Kasprzak and played a crucial role in the lower order.
There were useful points from lower order partner Nathan Greaves, who twice beat former team-mate and opposite number Max Clegg.
Debutant Cameron Heeps also showed plenty of encouraging signs on a night where Wolves home dominance showed against a side expected to pose a stern test.
It was fitting that maximum men Thorssell and Howarth put the icing on the cake with a stunning effort to both overhaul Nicholls after initially being left trailing in the final race.
The Parrys International Wolves will be back in action as they host heavily fancied Poole at Monmore Green next Monday (7.30).
