COVENTRY Storm are a step nearer the National League play-offs after a powerful display to see off top-four contenders Stoke 55-37 at Brandon.
The City Gearboxes Storm gave a powerful all-round performance headed by No.1 Oliver Greenwood with paid-13, and they pulled clear in the second half of the meeting after only leading by two points after seven races.
Stefan Nielsen picked himself up from a crash in his first ride to lower his own NL track record in Heat 9, with the circuit in excellent condition especially when attacked by the riders.
The meeting was run at a fast pace due to the threat of rain, and the Storm found themselves behind after five races with Stoke providing four heat wins - including two for the impressive Simon Lambert.
But Greenwood and Luke Priest dampened Jon Armstrong's 40th birthday celebrations with a 5-1 over the Potters skipper in Heat 6, and a 3-3 was rescued in the next race despite James Sarjeant being penalised for tape touching, as Lee Payne hit mechanical trouble on the third lap.
The Storm then began to stretch clear thanks to Priest and the impressive Martin Knuckey in Heat 8, and Nielsen's record-lowering ride included a smart pass of Armstrong on the second lap.
When the gap moved to ten points, Sarjeant neutralised Lambert's tactical ride by winning Heat 11 - and the Stoke guest did not appear again after suffering a hand injury in that race.
Ben Hopwood moved into double figures for the visitors with second place behind Nielsen in Heat 12 but he too would take no further part due to a shoulder complaint.
The Storm then stretched clear in the closing stages with 5-1s in Heats 13 and 14, Payne completing a disastrous night by falling on the last bend to allow Ryan Terry-Daley through to join Dan Greenwood.
Armstrong won Heat 15 well against Oliver Greenwood with Knuckey also getting a call-up for the nominated race with the points in the bag, but overall the home side were convincing winners.
Storm boss Laurence Rogers said: "Stoke were at us all the time, but the boys knuckled down, picked up the points when they could and came very good at the end.
"Overall it was a great performance all the way through the team. It was lovely have all seven going well.
"Priesty (Luke Priest) has slotted in really well, he only had the one meeting at reserve and he's not fully match-fit yet, and it was good to see Stef bounce back from his crash. We're keeping up the pressure and there's a long way to go."
CITY GEARBOXES STORM 55: Oliver Greenwood 12+1, James Sarjeant 10, Stefan Nielsen 8, Martin Knuckey 7+1, Luke Priest 6+3, Ryan Terry-Daley 6+3, Dan Greenwood 6.
STOKE 37: Simon Lambert 10, Ben Hopwood 10, Jon Armstrong 10, Connor Dwyer 3, Chris Widman 2, Rob Shuttleworth 1+1, Lee Payne 1.
CITY GEARBOXES STORM 55 Oliver Greenwood 2 3 3 2* 2 = 12+1 Luke Priest 1* 2* 2* 1 = 6+3 Stefan Nielsen X 2 3 3 = 8 Dan Greenwood 2 0 1 3 = 6 James Sarjeant 2 2 3 3 = 10 Ryan Terry-Daley 2* 1* 1 2* = 6+3 Martin Knuckey 3 0 3 0 1* = 7+1
STOKE 37 Simon Lambert 3 3 4^ = 10 Chris Widman R 1 1 R 0 = 2 Ben Hopwood 3 3 2 2 = 10 Lee Payne 1 R X X = 1 Jon Armstrong 3 1 2 1 3 = 10 Rob Shuttleworth X 0 X 1* 0 = 1+1 Conor Dwyer 1 1 X 1 = 3
