COVENTRY wrapped up their regular away Elite League programme in spectacular style as they raced to a 53-40 victory over Belle Vue at Kirkmanshulme Lane.
The Buildbase Bees travelled to Manchester severely depleted – yet they put in a resilient all-around team display to claim a resounding win and give their confidence a timely boost ahead of the play-offs.
The Brandon outfit got off to a flying start with a 5-1 courtesy of Hans Andersen and Aaron Summers in the opening race before Jason Garrity and Kenneth Hansen twice combined to move them ten clear after seven races.
However, when Garrity suffered a heavy crash on the opening bend of heat eight and the Aces stormed to a big 8-1 in the rerun, the hosts looked set to stage a comeback.
But the brave Garrity dusted himself down to win the very next race alongside guesting youngster Max Clegg and give the Bees breathing space once more.
Despite the prospect of a tense finale, the visitors blitzed to further maximums in heats 11, 13 and 15 to wrap up a comfortable win and claim all four Elite League points.
It was a hugely encouraging performance from Gary Havelock’s side ahead of the play-offs, with Hans Andersen storming to a faultless maximum whilst Garrity suffered his only defeat when he hit the deck.
Danish ace Kenneth Hansen was also in scintillating form as he put in a typically determined display – plus the guesting Summers stepped in with a fine showing in the No.2 spot.
With all four riders bagging double figure points hauls, a rare off night for Chris Harris went unpunished as Coventry came away with an excellent victory.
Hansen said: “I’ve been through a tough time, we all know that, and I’m just happy to keep battling hard – we all have ups and downs and I hope I’ve passed my down-time right in time for the play-offs!
“I’ve been ill for the last couple of days but I’ve wanted to turn my form in England around so badly, and I can’t thank the management enough for sticking with me.â€
BELLE VUE 40: Scott Nicholls 13+2, Richie Worrall 9+2, Michael Palm Toft 5, Matej Zagar 4, Craig Cook 4, Paul Starke 3+1, Lee Payne 2 COVENTRY 53: Jason Garrity 14+1, Hans Andersen 12, Kenneth Hansen 11+3, Aaron Summers 10+1, Chris Harris 3+2, Max Clegg 3+1, Ben Barker r/r Elite League points: Belle Vue 0 Coventry 4
Picture: IAN CHARLES
BELLE VUE 40 Matej Zagar R 0 3 1 Michael Palm Toft 1 1 0 3 = 5 Scott Nicholls 2* 2 6^ 1 2* = 13+2 Richie Worrall 2 1* 2* 1 3 = 9+2 Craig Cook 3 1 0 0 = 4 Paul Starke 0 1* 1 1 = 3+1 Lee Payne 2 0 F 0 = 2
BUILDBASE BEES 53 Hans Andersen 3 3 3 3 = 12 Aaron Summers 2* 3 1 2 2 0 = 10+1 Ben Barker Rider Replacement Kenneth Hansen 1 3 2* 2* 2* 1 = 11+3 Chris Harris R 0 1* 2* = 3+2 Jason Garrity 3 2* 3 X 3 3 = 14+1 Max Clegg 1 0 2* 0 = 3+1
