Cradley Heathens put up a battle as leaders nick it

Doubts over available dates at Monmore Green for 2018 have cast a shadow over the Heathens’ future.

But if the end is looming, what better way would there have been to sign off than by denying visitors Eastbourne a top-of-the-table place?

The Eagles needed victory to finish on the summit – and Cradley almost denied them.

In a sport where the ultimate prizes are decided by play-offs, that may not count for too much – Eastbourne, indeed, are already halfway through the grand final and take a 12-point lead to Belle Vue tomorrow (Wednesday) for the decider.

But you could see it mattered to the Heathens, despite a windswept night and what looked a lower-than-average attendance.

After a nip-and-tuck night, it all came down to the last heat, with Cradley clinging to a single-point lead.

Supporters’ cries rang out as skipper Tom Perry, returning from injury, swept to the front and guest Ben Hopwood worked his way into third.

But Perry, still struggling with his arm, hit the shale on the pits turn.

Hopwood could not land a blow in the rerun as Eagles pair Jake Knight, who was unbeaten from his five starts, and Josh Bailey closed out the win.

Perry was distraught afterwards, saying: “I was getting there towards the end, just trying a bit too hard in heat 15 to win the meeting for us.

“But the track got slicker and slicker and I banged my arm again, the same problem as before. It’s one of them. A rubbish way to end the year.”

Perry and Hopwood, despite that late disappointment, impressed while Luke Harris offered good back-up and Joe Lawlor weighed in with two late wins.

But it was 15-year-old Cradley guest Jason Edwards who really caught the eye. The Lakeside youngster, by his own admission, is still learning how to handle a 500cc bike.

Yet he rode with great maturity, finished with paid seven points and is definitely one to watch.

In the other reserve berth, poor Conor Dwyer had a nightmare evening with a fall while leading and three successive machine failures.

In the end, it was not a bang for Cradley – but it was no damp squib.

Cradley: Ben Hopwood 12+1, Tom Perry 9, Luke Harris 8+2, Joe Lawlor 8, Jason Edwards 6+1, Conor Dwyer 0, Richard Hall rider-replacement.

Eastbourne: Jake Knight 14+1, Josh Bailey 11, Tom Brennan 10, Alfie Bowtell 5+3, Alex Spooner 4+1, Joe Alcock 2+1, Charley Powell rider-replacement.