Dudley Heathens V Coventry Storm - Tuesday 11th June

[NeilWatson]

COVENTRY Storm travel to Dudley for an eagerly-anticipated National League clash on Tuesday.

 

It’s a big week for the Storm, who also have a home match against fellow newcomers Kent at Brandon on Friday as they look to build on their positive start to league competition.

 

Storm faced Dudley in the early-season Travel Plus Trophy and were beaten 35-60 at Monmore Green, but much has changed since then and they will make the trip with real optimism following recent results.

 

Robert Branford won his British Under-21 title at Monmore in April, and Joe Jacobs and James Sarjeant have also had good results at the Black Country venue in the past.

 

There is one change to the Storm team, as reserve Tommy Fenwick has stood down from the side due to the pressure of work commitments and finances.

 

The Storm may look to promote from the Midland Development League for a full-time replacement, but have considered various candidates for this week including locally-based Conor Dwyer, who reported he is not up to full race-fitness as yet after his serious arm injury.

 

Storm have therefore booked Ryan Terry-Daley to stand in at reserve, with thanks to Mildenhall promoter Michael Lee for his co-operation. Terry-Daley has made several appearances for the Fen Tigers in the last year.

 

Coventry co-boss Blayne Scroggins said: “This is our biggest meeting of the season so far. It’s a huge test for the boys, we have been riding well recently but Dudley are the team we need to try to get something from.

 

“The boys are fired up as always and keen to improve on their showing in the early season challenge match. We just need to remain focused and continue where we left off after the Stoke meeting with our form, and give 100 per cent - that’s all we can ask.”

 

DUDLEY: Ashley Morris, Gareth Isherwood, Paul Starke, Dan Greenwood R/R, Lewis Blackbird, Max Clegg, Nathan Greaves.

COVENTRY: Joe Jacobs, Martin Knuckey, Robert Branford, Brendan Johnson, James Sarjeant, Ryan Terry-Daley, Luke Crang.

 

By courtesy www.coventrybees.co

[heathhen1]

ohhhh dear cov u will have to do better than that

[NeilWatson]

COVENTRY Storm were brought down to earth in a big way by local rivals Dudley who romped to a 62-30 win at Monmore Green on Tuesday.

 

The Storm went into the meeting off the back of impressive wins over King’s Lynn and Stoke in their last two National League outings, but they were well beaten by a very impressive Heathens outfit in the Black Country.

 

The home side provided twelve of the fifteen race winners and also only ran two last places, with their teenage reserves Max Clegg and Nathan Greaves playing starring roles as they covered admirably for the injured Gareth Isherwood.

 

British Under-21 Champion Robert Branford had the most success for the visitors, winning two races and also denying home man Lewis Blackbird a maximum with a fine passing move in the last heat of the night.

 

Joe Jacobs was the Storm’s only other winner, but he was also involved in a spectacular accident in Heat 13 when he clipped team-mate James Sarjeant as they exited the fourth bend, with Heathens captain Ashley Morris having nowhere to go and flying over Sarjeant.

 

Fortunately there were no injuries but it completed a tough night for the Storm captain who fell in his first ride when chasing Blackbird and also saw his attempt for double-points in Heat 9 foiled by Paul Starke and Darryl Ritchings.

 

The Storm also struggled in the lower-order, although Luke Crang – making his first visit to Monmore – did improve as the night went on, taking a decent third place in Heat 12, whilst two races later he and Brendan Johnson held a 5-1 position until Crang got too close to his team-mate on the third bend and had to bale out, with Dudley’s Darryl Ritchings doing well to lay his machine down and prevent serious damage.

 

Three 5-1s in the first four races had put the Heathens in full control, although with the gap only increasing by another two points in the next three heats the Storm still had ambitions of salvaging a league point.

 

But Heats 8 and 9 both went the way of the home side by the maximum margin and that meant it was damage limitation, with a further brace of 5-1s in Heats 13 and 14 after the various crashes virtually ensuring the Heathens would go through the 60-point barrier.

 

The Storm at least get the chance to bounce back quickly when they face Kent in their next National League fixture at Brandon on Friday (7.30pm).

 

Co-boss Laurence Rogers said: “It was very disappointing because we came here thinking we could do something, but Dudley didn’t make any mistakes and we just weren’t at the races today.

 

“Robert rode with his head and used his track craft which was great, but I don’t really know where to pinpoint it with the rest, it was just a bad night for us.

 

“It wasn’t through any lack of effort, though, and hopefully we can bounce back with a very good win on Friday.”

 

DUDLEY 62: Ashley Morris 13+1, Paul Starke 13, Lewis Blackbird 12+1, Max Clegg 12+1, Nathan Greaves 7+3, Darryl Ritchings 5+3, Gareth Isherwood r/r.

COVENTRY 30: Robert Branford 14, Joe Jacobs 6, James Sarjeant 4, Luke Crang 3+1, Brendan Johnson 2, Martin Knuckey 1, Ryan Terry-Daley 0.

 

By courtesy www.coventrybees.co

[Ommer Mon]

I don't think Coventry were particularly bad last night. It was one of the best Heathens performances I've see since our return to the track. Three extremely strong heat leaders plus two free scoring reserves (especially Cleggy who was magnificent), its very hard to compete against that especially when three of the Storm are still frankly 'learning their trade'.

 

Good luck to Lawrence and colleagues for the rest of the season. Don't get downhearted over one result there will be plenty of better days ahead with such a talented team.

[heathhen1]

I don't think Coventry were particularly bad last night. It was one of the best Heathens performances I've see since our return to the track. Three extremely strong heat leaders plus two free scoring reserves (especially Cleggy who was magnificent), its very hard to compete against that especially when three of the Storm are still frankly 'learning their trade'.

 

Good luck to Lawrence and colleagues for the rest of the season. Don't get downhearted over one result there will be plenty of better days ahead with such a talented team.

totally agree loz is a top bloke and great help to us last season seen cov at brandon very slick operation love having new local team long may they and dudley continue

[greyhoundp]

I don't think Coventry were particularly bad last night. It was one of the best Heathens performances I've see since our return to the track. Three extremely strong heat leaders plus two free scoring reserves (especially Cleggy who was magnificent), its very hard to compete against that especially when three of the Storm are still frankly 'learning their trade'.

 

Good luck to Lawrence and colleagues for the rest of the season. Don't get downhearted over one result there will be plenty of better days ahead with such a talented team.

 

Yeah dont get downhearted, this Storm Team has plenty of talent, but for Lozza to say he couldnt pin point it, well two heat leaders scored 10 points between them, and i dont think won a race, Brendon was not only getting beat, but getting passed by far lesser experienced riders namely Clegg and Grieves, for me that was the dissapointing aspect to the Storm team, i wont blame the reserves nor martin Knuckey who really should be down at reserve, and Monmore isnt the easiest of Tracks to ride on your 1st visit, so there were excuses for the lower order.

[TMW]

Yeah dont get downhearted, this Storm Team has plenty of talent, but for Lozza to say he couldnt pin point it, well two heat leaders scored 10 points between them, and i dont think won a race, Brendon was not only getting beat, but getting passed by far lesser experienced riders namely Clegg and Grieves, for me that was the dissapointing aspect to the Storm team, i wont blame the reserves nor martin Knuckey who really should be down at reserve, and Monmore isnt the easiest of Tracks to ride on your 1st visit, so there were excuses for the lower order.

 

I have to say that I was surprised that R T D wasn't at No.2 as Knuckey is probably the better rider. I imagine Brendans performance was subject any number of factors not just the twist of the wrist

Edited June 12, 2013 by TMW

[greyhoundp]

I have to say that I was surprised that R T D wasn't at No.2 as Knuckey is probably the better rider. I imagine Brendans performance was subject any number of factors not just the twist of the wrist

 

Yes fully aggree with your observation about RTD being up at No2 and MK being down at reserve, Martin is the more likeley to be scoring in that position, How long are Brendans performances going to be subject to these other factors ? granted i dont think Monmore is his favourite Track, but he was under 18 champion back in what 2010 ?, but he has not really progressed on from that as could have reasonably have been expected. Oh and one final word, i was tremendously impressed with Rob Branfords efforts throughout the meeting, and especially in the last Heat when nothing was riding on it, the match was well and truly lost, yet he still got up to deny The Beast from the East <Lewis Blackbird> his paid maximum, well done Rob.

Edited June 12, 2013 by greyhoundp

[TMW]

Wasn't the under 18s title before he nearly killed himself at the IOW ?

Should he be thrown on the scrap heap because of that?

[Main Man]

Just to clarify . Ryan had to go in at 6 to replace Tommy as under new rulings where you have three 3 pointers one HAS to be declared as being in the main body of the team and cannot be switched to reserve. Marty was chosen as the one to move up .

As for the comment on not pin -pointing that was not aimed at riders or their scores but more on why we were not as fast or had the correct set ups. Having said that having spoken to a top ex-rider about this he came out with some interesting comments that we have taken on board .

 

Just to clarify . Ryan had to go in at 6 to replace Tommy as under new rulings where you have three 3 pointers one HAS to be declared as being in the main body of the team and cannot be switched to reserve. Marty was chosen as the one to move up .

As for the comment on not pin -pointing that was not aimed at riders or their scores but more on why we were not as fast or had the correct set ups. Having said that having spoken to a top ex-rider about this he came out with some interesting comments that we have taken on board .