Express & Star

Two wins from two for Cradley Heathens

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Cradley Heathens made it two wins from two at the start of the National League season with 53-36 victory over Rye House in a bruising encounter at Monmore Green.

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The home side's top three of Max Clegg, Ashley Morris and Luke Chessell were all in high-scoring form.

The Heathens took time to assert full superiority with Clegg defeated by a fast-starting Morley in the opening race.,

And the visitors took an unusual 3-2 in the next with Bradley Andrews suffering mechanical trouble.

Clegg expertly moved inside Ben Hopwood in the next to put the Heathens three-up.

James Purchase continued scoring despite riding through the pain barrier after being clattered on the first bend in his second outing.

Cradley made a big move in Heat 8 with the only 5-1 of the night, as the Raiders' Connor Locke fell on the fourth turn.

The re-start saw Purchase and Ben Basford quickly move inside Harvie Banks to put the home side nine points up.

Morley and Morris then went wheel to wheel for two laps in Heat 11 with the Heathens man finally getting the verdict for his third win of the night.

Chessell out-trapped Priest to win Heat 12 with a hard-working Basford in third place for a 4-2 which guaranteed the Heathens the match victory.

But another terrific race followed as Morris got the better of Morley after a near race-long battle with the Cradley man on the outside line.

Reserve Andrews showed some promise from the gate, and held a 5-1 position with Chessell for the first lap of Heat 14, before slamming into the fence on the fourth bend.

Morris was unbeaten going into the last race but his hopes of a maximum were ended by Morley, who managed to split the Heathens duo with Clegg this time up-front.

Heathens now head to local rivals Birmingham for their next league fixture next Wednesday, before hosting King's Lynn back at Monmore on April 25.

CRADLEY 53: Luke Chessell 13, Ashley Morris 13, Max Clegg 12, Ben Basford 9+1, James Purchase 5+2, Bradley Andrews 1, Jack Kingston r/r.

RYE HOUSE 36: Ben Morley 12, Luke Priest 8, Ben Hopwood 7, Connor Locke 4+1, Harvie Banks 3+1, Sam Woods 2, Kenny Bowdery 0.