Express & Star

A double defeat for Wolves speedway

Wolverhampton were outclassed by a Belle Vue side in the last-chance saloon as they slumped to a comprehensive 57-36 defeat at Monmore Green last night.

Published

Peter Adams' side were unable to succeed in their quest to deny the Aces a play-off berth, trailing from start to finish on another disappointing night.

They were simply second best throughout as they were condemned to their fifth home loss of the campaign to wrap up a miserable season.

From the moment Chris Harris battled from the back to strike a Belle Vue 5-1 alongside Max Fricke in the opening race, Wolves appeared set to be up against it.

Wolverhampton 36: Peter Karlsson 12, Ricky Wells 9+1, Jacob Thorssell 7, Josh Bates 4, Freddie Lindgren 2+1, Max Clegg 2, Tobiasz Musielak 0.

Belle Vue 57: Steve Worrall 15, Chris Harris 13+2, Scott Nicholls 12+1, Max Fricke 7+1, Craig Cook 5+1, Stefan Nielsen 3, Josh Grajczonek 2.

So it proved, as they accounted for only three race wins and ran 12 last places against a spirited Aces side clearly determined to keep their season alive.

Two of their victories came courtesy of popular captain Peter Karlsson, who fought valiantly throughout as Wolves attempted to salvage some pride and conclude a year to forget.

The experienced Swede hit the front alongside Ricky Wells in heat three as they recovered from a slow start – but it proved a rare positive moment on a difficult night.

By the time Karlsson next appeared, his side were trailing by 10 and he was tasked with taking a tactical ride in an attempt to spark a comeback.

He duly stormed to victory to lead a 7-2 advantage, but the Aces reeled off four successive heat advantages to re-establish their dominance.

A fifth win for unstoppable reserve Steve Worrall mathematically wrapped up their victory in heat 12.

Wells did deliver a race win in the penultimate heat as he put in a creditable display, while Swedish star Jacob Thorssell battled hard for little reward.

He prevailed in a tight battle with Fricke in his second ride, before expertly rounding Stefan Nielsen in heat nine.

But he was unable to add any race wins, while Freddie Lindgren mustered only two points from the No 1 spot.

Polish youngster Tobiasz Musielak failed to score and suffered two awkward falls, whilst reserve duo Josh Bates and Max Clegg were outclassed by opposite number Worrall.

Wolves were second best in all departments in the first meeting of their double header, before they wrapped up their Elite League campaign against Leicester immediately afterwards.

In the second of Wolves' double-header at Monmore Green last night, Wolves were edged out 46-44 by Leicester Lions.

They were level at 42-42 going into the final heat which the Lions' Jason Doyle won, with Szymon Wozniak snatching the vital third spot on the penultimate lap.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.