Express & Star

Hosts Wolves bounce back with Leicester win

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Determined Wolverhampton bounced back to winning ways with a comfortable 56-37 victory over Midlands rivals Leicester at Monmore Green.

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Wolves have experienced a torrid run in recent weeks, suffering four consecutive defeats including a thrashing against Poole in their last home meeting.

But despite in-form Pole Piotr Pawlicki missing through illness they put in a resilient display to give their confidence a timely boost and claim three Elite League points.

The hosts fell behind early on before Tom Perry barged past Max Clegg to open up a Wolves 5-1 and give them the lead in heat two.

Some fast starting saw team boss Peter Adams' side record further maximums in heats three and five to seize control

Leicester did hit back through a Simon Stead tactical ride victory in heat eight – but Perry brilliantly rounded Clegg in the very next race to give them breathing space before Jacob Thorssell superbly snatched victory from former Wolf Nicolai Klindt in a scintillating heat 10.

Four heat advantages in the final five races then saw them wrap up a resounding win. Swedish star Thorssell was in imperious form throughout, reeling off three consecutive wins to help his side preserve their advantage.

Young reserve Perry also provided crucial firepower from the lower order, winning both reserve races as he and Joe Jacobs comfortably outscored their Leicester counterparts.

World champion Tai Woffinden notched four vital wins, recapturing his top form in the closing stages to help see Wolves home.

Meanwhile, Lasse Bjerre dusted himself down from a spectacular crash with Mads Korneliussen in his first ride to add an excellent 10+2 while club legend Peter Karlsson claimed a composed win in his opening ride as he put in a solid performance. All in all it was an encouraging all-around team performance from the revamped Wolves.

Wolves: Jacob Thorssell 14, Tai Woffinden 12+1, Lasse Bjerre 10+2, Tom Perry 8, Peter Karlsson 7, Joe Jacobs 5+3, Piotr Pawlicki r/r

Leicester: Simon Stead 14, Jason Doyle 12, Nicolai Klindt 6, Max Clegg 3, Krzysztof Buczkowski 2, Mads Korneliussen 0, Ben Hopwood 0