Words: Hayley Bromley
Images: Ian Charles
Bathed in a pocket of perfect weather, the Belle Vue Colts were cooking up a storm as powerful as those encompassing the National Speedway Stadium against reigning champions Birmingham.
And the spoils once again went the way of the home side after they emphatically defeated their opponents 55-35, extending their lead at the top of the table by four points in the process.
Initial thoughts were that the elements would ultimately win out, yet despite the amount of punishment it had received earlier in the day the NSS proved its awesome quality once again.
Club No.1 Dan Bewley led the way for the Cool Running Colts with 17 points from six rides while receiving solid backup from his team mates who totally overpowered the challenging Brummies.
Reserve Luke Woodhull said: “This result just reinforces how dialed in we are at home and if other clubs aren’t paying attention to that, at this stage of the season, they’re asking for trouble.
“Birmingham were keeping us honest early doors but as is becoming typical with this team, we just seemed to find our momentum and became unstoppable even despite the track conditions.
“The rain we’d had earlier in the day certainly played its part, but even so it was the same for everyone and both teams just got on with it, and we enjoyed a really great night of racing.”
It’s another nail-biting clash in the SGB Premiership this weekend with the Leicester Lions targeting a big win over Belle Vue as they continue their mission to escape the wooden spoon.
The Watling JCB Lions have endured too many heartaches to count, the most crushing being the loss of sensational signing Pawel Przedpelski while they welcome back injury victim Kim Nilsson.
The Rentruck Aces also have a lot riding on Saturday as they are still not mathematically assured of their place in this year’s Play Offs after a late surge in form from both Somerset and Rye House.
With three of his septet missing in action, club boss Mark Lemon will utilise two guests – Paul Starke and Scott Nicholls – and R/R for Rohan Tungate, Max Fricke and Craig Cook respectively.
Flying reserve Dan Bewley said: “It’s not brilliant to be missing so many of our guys but it is what it is and we have to get on with it, and we’ve got some more than capable guests coming in.
“Leicester have been showing great potential in their last few meetings and even without Danny King I’m sure we can expect a challenge, but in this league you shouldn’t expect anything less.
“As long as we take something rather than nothing, we can count it a successful trip but obviously we’ll be going there with a maximum haul in mid, as we do and have done in all our meetings.”
It’s all systems go in Manchester on August 21 with Belle Vue set to rekindle their epic rivalry with the Somerset Rebels. Tickets now available at www.bellevueaces.co.
