Express & Star

Wolves finish on a high with home rout

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Depleted Wolverhampton wrapped up their home Elite League programme with a bang as they raced to a crushing 56-37 win over Eastbourne at Monmore.

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Peter Adams' side were severely weakened by the absences of Tai Woffinden and Jacob Thorssell due to injury – yet they put in determined display to comfortably dispose of the play-off chasing Eagles.

Californian favourite Ricky Wells sent out a strong message having been dropped by the club earlier in the season, storming to a stunning 13+1 point haul as he made a guest appearance.

Having claimed composed wins in his opening two rides, he brilliantly forced his way past Timo Lahti to join Peter Karlsson at the front for a big 5-1 in heat eight.

Karlsson himself had performed heroics to go from last to second in heat six, nullifying a Bjarne Pedersen tactical ride to strike a third consecutive Wolves maximum.

However, Eastbourne's second tactical ride yielded an 8-1 before Wells and Karlsson superbly dispelled any fears of an Eagles comeback in heat eight.

Wells narrowly missed out on a well-deserved maximum in heat 15, but it remained a superb display.

Veteran Swede Karlsson was similarly outstanding as he rolled back the years, utilising all his experience to shield Joe Jacobs home for the first Wolves 5-1 in heat four before ending with a superb 10+2 points.

All-action Aussie Rory Schlein was unbeaten in four rides thanks to some fast starting as he deputised for Woffinden at No 1, while former Brummies man Danny King also performed well as a guest for Piotr Pawlicki.

Exciting Dane Lasse Bjerre experienced a roller coaster meeting before ended with a solid 6+1.

With Joe Jacobs and Tom Perry putting in solid displays at reserve, the Monmore men emerged with a fine victory.

Wolverhampton 56: Ricky Wells 13+1, Rory Schlein 11+1, Peter Karlsson 10+2, Joe Jacobs 7, Lasse Bjerre 6+1, Danny King 6, Tom Perry 3+2

Eastbourne 37: Kyle Newman 11+2, Bjarne Pedersen 10, Joonas Kylmakorpi 10, Timo Lahti 3+1, Lewis Bridger 3, Daniel Halsey 0, Mikkel Michelsen 0