THE Buildbase Bees were looking in good shape in Manchester until rain ruined their chances of taking a much-needed away win.
Bees had made a determined start to their clash with Belle Vue to open up a four point lead with two excellent 5-1s, with the Aces big guns failing to fire in the early stages.
But rain moved in before and during Heat 4, and after a delay to see whether conditions would improve, it was no surprise when a halt was called to proceedings.
That was particularly unfortunate on Ben Barker, who has beaten several established names this season but none quite as big as double World Champion Jason Crump who he comfortably headed home in Heat 1 to complete a 5-1 with Hans Andersen.
Crump went wide on the first bend and could not find a way past Barker, who took second place on turn three from Billy Forsberg.
Belle Vue took a 5-1 of their own in Heat 2 when Barker fell on the first bend and the race was allowed to continue when many referees would have called all-four back.
But Bees were not affected by that setback and regained their lead with a terrific effort from Billy Janniro and Chris Harris in Heat 3, Janniro controlling the race on the inside and Harris twice passing Jason Lyons to come home just ahead of the Australian.
Heat 4 was shared as Olly Allen and Filip Sitera packed in behind Forsberg with Joe Screen struggling, but the conditions were worsening at that stage and the meeting was destined to go no further.
Bees boss Peter Oakes said: "It probably sums up our season, you need the little breaks to go for you, and this season they've gone against us.
"Tonight was a classic example because we were certainly looking very good. Hans Andersen was again superb in Heat 1, and after Ben Barker's ride in that race I'm sure he would have gone on to score eight or nine points.
"Billy Janniro looked very sharp on a new engine, and right down the order we were scoring. It's unfortunate, but the track would have been like a skating rink and the rain just wasn't going to stop even though the forecast was quite reasonable."
The meeting is likely to be re-staged later this month, with a new date to be confirmed.
BELLE VUE 10: Billy Forsberg 5+1, Robert Ksiezak 3, Jason Lyons 1, Jason Crump 1, Joe Screen 0, Charlie Gjedde 0, Lukasz Jankowski r/r.
BUILDBASE BEES 14: Hans Andersen 3, Billy Janniro 3, Chris Harris 2+1, Ben Barker 2+1, Filip Sitera 2+1, Olly Allen 2, Simon Stead r/r.
