Dudley Heathens 27 Stoke Potters 64

Dudley Heathens are promising free entry for children next week and an extra end of season meeting after their heaviest home defeat since reforming.

And the club is also looking at further signings after two riders were injured in a crushing 64-27 home defeat to Stoke Potters last night.

An uphill task against the National League leaders became Everest-like after Dudley lost both reserves to a heat two crash.

With Richard Franklin and Danny Stoneman sidelined by shoulder and elbow injuries respectively, the Heathens could track only one rider in no fewer than six races.

It was probably the darkest day for the club’s management team since the Heathens relaunched, but chairman Nigel Pearson insisted that the positives outweigh the negatives.

He said: “It’s less than two years since we actually formed the Heathens. We finished top of the league last year; we’ve won the National Shield this year and the National League Fours. We’ve provided a lot of entertainment.

“Obviously, it’s disappointing. We want the fans to come along and enjoy our last two home matches – next Tuesday against Buxton it’s kids for free, because there are a lot of disappointed kids’ faces there on the front row.”

Pearson cited the loss of Franklin and Stoneman, as well as mechanical woes for Tom Perry, as contributory factors to the defeat.

He said: “Tom’s had carburettor problems and was in points scoring positions – possibly five or six points lost.

“And there’s been some races where we’ve just been outclassed by better riders. There are reasons, but we’re not looking to make massive excuses.

“We have been beaten by a better side in Stoke who could go on and win the National League title.”

Franklin and Stoneman were having their injuries assessed at hospital overnight and are clearly doubtful for next Tuesday’s clash with Buxton.

Pearson said: “We’ve got to look at tracking the strongest possible side we can for our remaining three league meetings – two home matches and a trip to the Isle of Wight.

“We’re already looking at the averages, we’re already looking at potential riders that could maybe come in and we will do what we’ve got to do to try to end the season on a winning note.

“If we don’t make the play-offs, I can guarantee our supporters that won’t be the end of the season.

“After September 6 against King’s Lynn, we will have at least one more meeting to round the season off.

“So it’s not all over yet.”

By Tim Hamblin