BELLE Vue’s opening gambit against Sheffield in the 2023 Premiership league certainly lived up to the hype and expectation, but the ATPI Aces finished on the wrong side of a 48-42 defeat at Owlerton.
But it wasn’t until the final five heats of the night that the TruPlant Tigers were able to find their stride, while the visitors continued to chip away at their lead.
The score line was to-ing and fro-ing right from the word go, with Belle Vue taking control 14-16 after five races, with Sheffield then biting back to level the match 21-21 by Heat 7.
Jake Mulford impressed greatly on his Premiership debut with a brilliant race win in Heat 8, getting the better of the experienced David Bellego and Dan Gilkes.
As the night progressed, however, the home team got to grips with their home shale and put away a succession of heat wins to seal the victory and the two league points.
ATPI Aces captain Brady Kurtz led by example and top scored for the visitors with 12 points, while Charles Wright followed up with 8+1, Dan Bewley bagged 7 and Norick Blodorn 4+1.
Blodorn said: “Considering this was the first meeting back for a lot of the boys, I don’t think we did too badly and we did expect Sheffield to be strong at home.
“A couple of the boys were struggling a bit but overall I think we were pretty consistent and we definitely pushed them hard, so there’s plenty of positives to take.
“Jake’s heat win was a massive plus for him. I think it just proves he belongs in this team and that he’s got what it takes to push on this season.
“I’d like to have put a few more points on the board and I know that I’m capable, and with a few more meetings I think the true strength of this team will start to come through.”
Belle Vue will look to repay the compliment when they welcome Sheffield to the National Speedway Stadium on Monday, March 27; tapes up at 7:30pm.
Meeting tickets, race day hospitality and south stand parking are available to reserve online via the club’s official website at bellevue-speedway.com.
