COVENTRY Storm returned to the top of the National League table with a 48-45 win over Buxton – although the Hitmen’s late comeback restricted the home side to two points rather than three.
The Storm always looked likely to have enough to take victory in a competitive encounter with a solid top-five display, but the visitors were always in contention to snatch a point, and did so in Heat 15.
That came courtesy of a 5-1 from captain Charles Wright and impressive youngster Liam Carr, whilst the scoring of Ryan Blacklock at reserve was also important for the Hitmen.
Coventry, meanwhile, were thankful for a stunning 5-1 from Joe Jacobs and James Sarjeant in Heat 13 as they kept Wright in third place, and that proved crucial in the final analysis.
The early heats were close with the Storm two points up after Heat 5, Jacobs having had to retrieve third place in Heat 1 from the handicap after touching the tapes – whilst Sarjeant went from third to first in an exciting opening lap of Heat 4.
Jacobs then combined with Luke Crang for a 5-1 in Heat 6 to put the Storm six-up, but the Hitmen hit back with Sarjeant working hard to split Wright and Carr in the next race and prevent an immediate maximum response.
Storm collected good results from Heats 8 and 9 to extend their lead to ten points but Buxton were happy to share the points behind Jacobs after a fierce first bend to Heat 10 which saw several riders out of shape.
That gave them the chance to nominate Wright for double-points in Heat 11 and he banked the full six points with Blacklock also proving a worthwhile reserve substitution as he held James Shanes at bay for third place.
With Heat 12 shared, the Storm took a giant step to victory when Jacobs out-gated Wright and Sarjeant blasted around the outside, with the home pair just holding on for a 5-1 despite Wright’s late challenge round the boards.
Buxton did, though, make their point as Carr held back Olly Greenwood in Heat 14 with Blacklock third again, and then despite going from the unfavoured gates 2 and 4 Wright and Carr stormed away from Branford and Jacobs to finish with a 5-1 for the visitors in the last race.
Coventry co-boss Blayne Scroggins said: “We wanted all three points so we’ve dropped one, but let’s concentrate on the two and now move on to Monday (at Kent).
“We still have to be pleased with a win, bouncing back from losing to the Isle of Wight and there’s a great spirit, which we saw with Rob (Branford) lending his bike to Martin (Knuckey), and also from James (Sarjeant) when he found he wasn’t in Heat 15 but went straight to the other two boys and did a captain’s job.
“Buxton have certainly found form in the last few weeks and when you’ve got Charles Wright there you know you’ve got points in the bag. The 5-1 in Heat 13 was certainly the match-winner for us.â€
COVENTRY 48: Robert Branford 11+1, Joe Jacobs 10+1, James Sarjeant 9+1, Luke Crang 7+1, Oliver Greenwood 7+1, James Shanes 3, Martin Knuckey 1.
BUXTON 45: Charles Wright 19, Liam Carr 11+2, Ryan Blacklock 9+1, Adam McKinna 5+1, Tom Woolley 1+1, Matt Williamson 0, Tony Atkin r/r.
COVENTRY 48 Joe Jacobs 1* 3 3 3 0 = 10+1 Luke Crang 2 2* 3 0 = 7+1 Robert Branford 3 1* 3 3 1 = 11+1 Oliver Greenwood 1 2 2* 2 = 7+1 James Sarjeant 3 2 2 2* = 9+1 James Shanes 3 0 0 0 = 3 Martin Knuckey 0 R 1 X = 1
BUXTON 45 Charles Wright 3 3 3 6^ 1 3 = 19 Matt Williamson 0 0 0 0 = 0 Tony Atkin Rider Replacement Liam Carr 2 1 2 1* 3 2* = 11+2 Adam McKinna 2 1 1 1* 0 = 5+1 Tom Woolley 1* 0 0 M = 1+1 Ryan Blacklock 2 1* 2 1 2 1 = 9+1
