COVENTRY secured their first Elite League away win of the season with a dramatic comeback at local rivals Wolverhampton on Monday.
The Buildbase Bees trailed by eight points after four races at Monmore Green but battled their way back into contention as the meeting moved into its closing stages – and this time they finished the job.
There were contributions from the whole team but special praise had to go to Kenni Larsen for his three race wins – beating both of the Wolves’ big guns Freddie Lindgren and Tai Woffinden – and there was a crucial Heat 14 ride from guest reserve Cameron Heeps which showed maturity beyond his 16 years of age.
At 16-8 down after conceding two 5-1s, Bees gained a route back into the meeting when Robert Miskowiak crashed out of Heat 5, with Chris Harris and Adam Roynon carding a maximum in the re-run.
Although Ty Proctor rode well to defeat Scott Nicholls in Heat 6, the signs were that Bees were getting to grips with conditions, and Larsen pounced on an error from Woffinden to take victory in Heat 7 after Edward Kennett had been rather harshly disqualified for a first-bend fall.
Roynon led Heat 8 but Proctor took his second chance in the re-run after team-mate Jacob Thorssell had fallen – but Coventry’s challenge really ignited in Heat 10 when Larsen superbly held Lindgren at bay, and Kennett battled to third place against the previously unbeaten Proctor.
Roynon had threatened a win all night and finally got it with the big scalp of Woffinden in Heat 11 as Bees narrowed the gap to a point, and they took the lead for the first time when Kennett gained a much-deserved and confidence-boosting win in Heat 12 as Miskowiak went too wide.
Nicholls led Heat 13 only for Woffinden to crash heavily coming out of turn four, and in the re-run it was Lindgren who kept the home side in the meeting with a win over the Coventry duo.
But Heat 14 was the clincher, with matters looking promising from the gate for Wolves as Matej Kus and Ricky Wells started well – only to both chase the same outside line, leaving Larsen free to make his move on the inside, and then to be remarkably followed through by Heeps who then held a perfect line to keep Wells behind.
Bees therefore only needed a finisher in Heat 15 to secure victory, or an advantage to take all four league points and Nicholls and Harris were selected as Larsen, who had been in line to take the race, had felt an engine problem in the closing stages of Heat 14.
Lindgren took the flag as the Bees duo worked their way past Proctor for second and third places, meaning Coventry had to be content with three points – but after their recent run, and their start to the meeting, it was a thoroughly welcome result.
Manager Blayne Scroggins said: “The boys dug in and did what they were asked, and I’m proud of them. We’re delighted to win here, and maybe that will turn the corner for all of them.
“They all chipped in, I suppose it was always in the back of my mind that something might go wrong and although it wasn’t quite all four points it’s still a really good result.
“Cameron has been going well in the Premier League and the National League, and he was the best of the bunch we could bring in. He did more than I was expecting – he was brilliant, and his ride with Kenni in Heat 14 won us the meeting.â€
WOLVES 42: Freddie Lindgren 12, Ty Proctor 8+1, Tai Woffinden 7, Robert Miskowiak 7, Ricky Wells 5+2, Matej Kus 2, Jacob Thorssell 1+1.
BUILDBASE BEES 47: Kenni Larsen 10, Scott Nicholls 9+2, Chris Harris 8+1, Adam Roynon 6+2, Cameron Heeps 6+1, Edward Kennett 4, Aaron Summers 4.
WOLVERHAMPTON 42 Freddie Lindgren 3 1 2 3 3 = 12 Ty Proctor 2* 3 3 0 0 = 8+1 Robert Miskowiak 3 X 2 2 = 7 Ricky Wells 2* 1 1* 1 = 5+2 Tai Woffinden 3 2 2 X = 7 Matej Kus 2 X 0 0 = 2 Jacob Thorssell 1* 0 X 0 = 1+1
