Birmingham had mixed results as they faced Wednesfield this Sunday. The lovely summer returned to Ashmore Park for the fixture which would begin facing the Aces then the Combination and then finally facing the Dragons.
Birmingham had Scott Millward missing to injury and Steve Hodgkinson to illness as they travelled the short distance to the hosts. The Aces had ex Monarch Paul Heard in there ranks as well Ricki Johnson and Chris Jewkes and they were looking to preserve there top spot in the league.
Bob Prince: In top form for Monarchs this afternoon
Birmingham dug in deep and with a weaker looking side on paper they never said no with captain Chris Timms top scoring for the Monarchs with 19pts which included a win over Paul Heard in the final heat as Timms will be looking for a repeat next weekend in the Elite Cup run off at Sandwell. Groves and Winwood were good back up for Chris as they rode in difficult conditions as well as Monarch stalwart Bob Prince which more will be said later in the afternoon.
The Aces had Paul Heard to thank with his 18pts with Jewkes a point behind and Johnson the same as six of the riders were in double figures as Wednesfield won 105-74
In the Combination fixture Birmingham welcomed Natalie Timms back as she made her first appearance of the season after giving birth earlier this year. Timms scored 9pts in horrible conditions in which Natalie and Ryan had to go back to the pits as a heavy shower stopped the meeting but after work trackside the fixture carried on in very heavy conditions. Ewan Hancox picked up 17pts for the visitors as most of the second team were riding there second fixture of the afternoon.
Birmingham’s first team then hit the track once more as conditions started to improve as they took on the newly formed Wednesfield Dragons. With both sides starting the day at the bottom with no points it was going to be a tough duel between the sides. The Monarchs fielded the same side they took on the Aces whilst the Dragons were a mix of experienced riders and fast youngsters working up the ranks.
Ewan Hancox: Top scorer in the Comb Team
With a second fixture in a couple of hours some of the Birmingham lads struggled but like all season the Monarch spirit kept them going and they all dug in deep for one final match of the day. Bob Prince rolled back the years in the previous fixture and this one as he looked fast, dialled in and racy on the Ashmore shale. Bob picked up 12pts but it could of been more after a referee decision went against the experienced Monarch as he tried an inside pass going into the third bend. Paul Timms, who had been suffering with back trouble, also hit the ground after a tough hard first bend which could of been all four back.
Welsh International Mark Winwood finished top scorer after some good team riding with Prince as Nathan Groves picked up 18pts and a crucial move in the penultimate heat which gifted the win to the Monarchs and the first in the Midland League so far this year.
Afterwards Chris Timms was delighted with the team performance and togetherness especially from the younger riders who all scored crucial points and all gave 100%
Wednesfield Aces 105
Paul Heard 18, Chris Jewkes 17, Ricki Johnson 16, Matt Haddock 14, Mark Griffiths 12, Glyn Rowley 12, Scott Doherty 11, Alex Aris 5
Birmingham Monarchs 74
Chris Timms 19, Nathan Groves 11, Mark Winwood 10, Bob Prince 10, Paul Timms 8, Ewan Hancox 8, Dylan Hexley 5, Richard Stevenson 3
Wednesfield Dragons 86
Tom Bewick 15, Troy Allen 14, Dave Meanley 13, Phil Hemming 12, Mick Aris 10, Harrie Everiss 8, Karl Parfitt 8, Courtney Aris 6
Birmingham Monarchs 92
Mark Winwood 19, Nathan Groves 18, Chris Timms 16, Bob Prince 12, Paul Timms 11, Ewan Hancox 7, Dylan Hexley 5, Richard Stevenson 4
Wednesfield Aces 82
Alex Aris 16, Karl Parfitt 15, Courtney Aris 15, Tom Bewick 10, Charlie Ellitts 10, Dylan Brooks 10, Wayne Aris 6
Birmingham Monarchs 92
Ewan Hancox 17, Natalie Timms 9, Reece Winwood 7, Richard Stevenson 6, Dylan Hexley 5, Ryan Winwood 4
In other results this weekend Hethersett beat East London in the South East League. The Londoners had recently re-crowned Over 50’s Champ Dennis Hubble in the side as well as tough Eurovet rider Steve Woodruff. The visitors were going to be tough to topple but topple they did as the Hawks won 108-65 as Josh Herring and Ollie Riley both picked up 14pts.
In the South West Division Newport carried on the winning roll as this time they put Hellingly to the sword. The Welsh side travelled to Sussex and won 100-77 as Nicky Evans scored 10pts for the league leaders.
Swindon faced Poole at Baiter Park. The Dorset side are looking to lift the Elite League Trophy but in the regional league they have been unbeaten so far and are just behind Newport. Danny Harper scored just 6pts for the Robins as they travelled back to Wiltshire losing 71-105
Birmingham Monarchs Cycle Speedway Club 