COVENTRY Storm collected a thoroughly deserved National League point from their opening fixture of the season at champions Cradley on Wednesday.
The City Gearboxes Storm went down to a narrow 43-47 defeat at Perry Barr in an incident-filled encounter, taking the title favourites all the way to a last-heat decider.
Skipper Luke Crang and Dan Greenwood both gave outstanding displays, Crang being unbeaten until Heat 15, although both were also involved in heavy crashes with Crang in particular suffering extensive damage when brought down by Ellis Perks in the last race.
Amongst the debutants, there was a composed middle-order showing from Rob Shuttleworth, who scored in every ride, and a fine return to racing from Darryl Ritchings one year on from his horror crash at Swindon.
Ritchings finished second in each of his four rides and was also involved in some good racing on turns three and four in his final two outings.
Crang and Greenwood each notched two wins in the first six races, with the Storm having been on a 5-1 in Heat 1 until Martin Knuckey fell under Max Clegg’s challenge before still gaining a point as Arron Mogridge came to grief later on.
Cradley went in front with a 5-1 in Heat 2 but a 4-2 to the Storm in Heat 6 levelled matters as Greenwood headed Clegg whilst Mogridge crashed out on turn four.
The Heathens’ star reserve Ellis Perks teamed up with Mogridge for a 5-1 in Heat 8 as the home side threatened to take control, and Matt Williamson saw off a strong Greenwood challenge in the next to put them six up.
That margin increased to eight in Heat 12 with Ritchings making it from third to first going into turn three only to over-slide before regaining his momentum to re-pass Williamson.
Heat 13 saw a spectacular first-bend pile-up involving Greenwood and home duo Clegg and Nathan Greaves, with all three riders fortunate to avoid injury. When the race re-started, it was the Storm duo who took maximum points with Crang making it four rides unbeaten by an opponent.
With the gap down to four points, Cradley brought Perks into Heat 14 and he duly took the win, but Shuttleworth and Conor Dwyer secured an excellent 3-3 ahead of Luke Harris to take the match into a last-heat decider.
Crang and Greenwood needed a 5-1 for a draw, and to avoid conceding a 5-1 to keep a league point, and the tension increased as Perks – who had missed the gate – came down entering turn one after a little contact, with all four riders going back for the re-run.
Clegg shot clear from the outside to essentially secure the win for Cradley, but as the battle for third place raged, Perks attempted an optimistic move inside Crang going into the last lap and brought the Storm skipper down, both rider and machine going heavily into the fence although Crang thankfully walked away.
Referee Tony Steele disqualified Perks, with Clegg awarded the race win, and the 3-3 at least meant the Storm had kept within range for the league point they deserved.
Manager Laurence Rogers said: “We’ve got to take a lot of positives out of this meeting. That’s the first time the boys have been together as a complete team and there’s already a great spirit.
“Darryl got better and better in every race, you could see the confidence coming back, Rob, for a 3.75 rider, got some very good points, and Dan was excellent.
“Crangy as captain for the first time put in a brilliant performance, and it’s just a pity he had the back end of his bike smashed to pieces in his last ride.â€
Following the main match, Greenwood defeated Clegg a match race to become the new holder of the Bronze Helmet, which he will defend at his next official fixture.
CRADLEY 47: Ellis Perks 14, Max Clegg 11, Matt Williamson 9, Nathan Greaves 6+1, Michael Neale 3+2, Arron Mogridge 2+1, Luke Harris 2+1. COVENTRY 43: Dan Greenwood 13, Luke Crang 12+2, Darryl Ritchings 8, Rob Shuttleworth 5+3, Martin Knuckey 2, Stefan Farnaby 2, Conor Dwyer 1+1.
CRADLEY 47 Max Clegg 2 2 3 1 3 = 11 Arron Mogridge X X 2* 0 = 2+1 Matt Willamson 3 2 3 1 = 9 Luke Harris 0 1* 1 0 = 2+1 Nathan Greaves 1* 3 2 R = 6+1 Michael Neale 2* 0 1* = 3+2 Ellis Perks 3 2 3 3 3 X = 14
COVENTRY 43 Luke Crang 3 3 3 2* 1* = 12+2 Martin Knuckey 1 0 1 0 = 2 Darryl Ritchings 2 2 2 2 = 8 Rob Shuttleworth 1* 1* 1* 2 = 5+3 Dan Greenwood 3 3 2 3 2 = 13 Stefan Farnaby 1 1 F 0 = 2 Conor Dwyer 0 0 0 1* = 1+1
