CYCLE SPEEDWAY: SKY high Coventry Sabres couldn’t quite match the heroics from Myke Grimes’ British Championship win on Sunday as they lost out against Birmingham.
The Sabres, who celebrated Grimes’ British title success on Monday evening after he became the first Coventry rider to secure the national title, were outbattled at Perry Barr despite some determined efforts.
Grimes started Sabres’ efforts in heat one with a second placed finish behind Chris Timms as the opening race was shared.
Three heat advantages for the home side in the following five races opened a gap for Birmingham though as they took control of the meeting in the early stages.
Efforts to claw back the 12-point deficit worked for Coventry though – and by half time they were six points behind.
Veteran racers Steve Hodgkinson and Paul Timms won heats ten and 11 to move the Monarchs 14 points clear. And the hosts never looked back from then.
Despite a race advantage in the final heat of the afternoon, Birmingham won 99-79 with top contributions coming from Mark Winwood (18), Chris Timms (17+1) and Scott Millward (15+3).
A youthful Coventry side once again displayed why there’s reason to be hopeful for the future as teenage racers Cameron Gill (9+2), Jimmy Wassall (8+1), and Ollie Morris (5) helped the Sabres’ cause.
Elsewhere in the Division Two fixture a strength in depth Coventry youth side won by a massive 41 points.
Only Jake Steel and William Arkinstall managed to pick of wins for the home side as Kyle Barlow (19), Ben Wells (9+3), and Ollie Morris (18+2) stood out for the Sabres.
In Division 3 Coventry ensured the Mini Monarchs were beaten for the first time in two years.
Such was the solidity of the young Coventry side, they restricted the home team to just one heat win and advantage.
Picture: Paul Devine.
