Cradley Heathens bounce back in style to boost Trophy hopes

The victory moved the Motor Market Heathens back level with group leaders Coventry as they bounced back from Monday’s defeat at the hands of the Bees.

Despite only being with four of their own riders, the Heathens took advantage of an understrength Hitmen side whose problems grew as the meeting progressed.

Already without broken ankle victim Connor Coles, heat-leader David Wallinger then pulled out of the fixture in the build-up while reserve Lewis Whitmore was withdrawn after heat eight with an arm injury.

Heathens got their noses in front as early as heat two when Jason Edwards and local lad James Chattin combined for a 4-2 in the re-run after Whitmore had been disqualified for the hosts after sliding off in the initial staging.

Bickley gated in the third and new signing Chris Widman eventually got by Sam Woolley for a second successive 4-2.

Alfie Bowtell and Edwards got the better of lone inexperienced Hitman Kieran Douglas and established an early eight-point lead.

But the Derbyshire outfit hit back with a maximum of their own in the very next race as Ben Wilson made it two race wins out of two while Heathens No.1 guest Joe Lawlor couldn’t find a way past home skipper Tom Woolley.

But the Heathens stamped their authority on the fixture in quick succession as Bickley and Widman bagged a 5-1 in the seventh before Bowtell and Edwards won a 5-0 after lapping Sam Woolley who had remounted after falling.

That opened up a 13-point lead for the Heathens who also took the next four race wins.

Heat 12 saw Bickley maintain his unbeaten start as Chattin eventually missed out on the scoring positions despite a tight tussle with Kieran Douglas.

And the Heathens rounded off in style with one final 5-1 as Bickley tucked in for a paid maximum behind Bowtell who only dropped one point himself on an impressive display from the recent recruit.

Team manager Will Pottinger said: “It was important to get back to winning ways and sets us up nicely for the return at Monmore.”

Buxton 32: Ben Wilson 13, Tom Woolley 10+2, Kieran Douglas 7+1, Sam Woolley 1+1, Lewis Whitmore 1, Connor Coles R/R.

Cradley 57: Alfie Bowtell 17, Kyle Bickley 14+1, Jason Edwards 13+2, Joe Lawlor 6+2, Chris Widman 6+2, James Chattin 1, Bradley Andrews R/R.

“Buxton were very depleted but we had to take advantage of their misfortune.

“Alfie and Kyle were both excellent and were well supported by Jason, Joe and Chris. “Chris did exactly what we wanted him to do by scoring from every race. “James put in a good shift and was unlucky not to get more points from Heat 12.