The 2008 Midland Trophy is wide open after Birmingham ran Wolves close 48-44 in the first leg at Monmore Green.

Both sets of riders made light of conditions made tricky by drizzle, with Birmingham’s top men offering fine resistance to Wolves’ early attack.

The home side began as they meant to go on with a 5-1 from skipper Fredrik Lindgren and Nicolai Klindt over Brummies guest Davey Watt, but these were to be the only points the Poole man dropped all evening in a fine showing.

Tai Woffinden made his full Wolves debut, replacing the dropped David Howe, and quickly showed his pace with a win over Birmingham skipper Jason Lyons in heat 4, before teaming up with the impressive Ludvig Lindgren for a 5-1 in heat 7 to put Wolves 12 points clear.

It was then that the Brummies fightback began, with Lyons, displaying his knowledge of Monmore from his years with Belle Vue, taking a tactical ride in heat 9 and heading Wolves guest Lewis Bridger for two laps before the young gun found a way through.

Edward Kennett was a fine replacement for Kyle Legault for the Brummies and produced a fine ride against Fredrik Lindgren and Klindt in heat 10.

Then Watt superbly drove around the outside of Woffinden in the following race to pip the teenage sensation on the line and deny him a maximum.

Yet heat 12 was the race of the night by some margin.

After a stoppage for an unsatisfactory start, Bridger got the drop on his regular team-mate Kennett from the start, with James Birkinshaw doing well to hold off Chris Kerr for third.

Just as Kennett was about to challenge Bridger for the lead going into the final lap, Kerr fell spectacularly on the pit bend, with the red lights flashing on as Kennett and Bridger were side by side.

As the race was still wide open at the time of the stoppage, referee Graham Flint decided on a re-run,. It was certainly worth it, as Kennett and Bridger swapped places on almost every turn of the race, the former eventually triumphant in a stunning display of speedway at its very best.

The visitors handed Wolves a scare with a 5-1 in heat 13 to close the gap to just four points, with the final race featuring an identical line-up.

Woffinden was lucky not to fall after losing control on the first turn, with Fredrik Lindgren unable to catch the flying Watt out in front.

Ludvig Lindgren once again displayed his huge potential with two wins, while Kerr and Morten Risager battled gamely on a night of all-round consistency from the Wolves.

Lyons as expected proved able back-up to the two guesting Elite League stars for the Brummies, while Tomasz Piszcz had a night to forget with two two-minute exclusion.

The second occurring when he emerged from the pits for heat 14 wearing the wrong helmet colour and was timed out while it was changed.

Wolves are back in Elite League action on Thursday, when they visit fellow strugglers Peterborough.