Poole Comets rounded off their unbeaten season at the Harbourside track to become British champions in the Cycle Speedway Knockout Cup.

Wednesfield Aces, who took victory in the inaugural event last year, had to be content with the runner-up spot whilst British Club Champions Great Blakenham took third ahead of Astley & Tyldsley.

All four teams, who each won their regional leagues, fielded strong teams and the winner was always going to be a tough call.

After the opening four heats of the 32-heat match, things were in the balance with Poole heading up proceedings by a single point to Great Blakenham.

The cream of the speedway elite ensured close, fast racing with heat eight seeing a fine win from Wednesfield’s Paul Heard, holding off A&T’s veteran Steve Harris to reignite his team’s day following heat wins fromTom Bewick and Chris Jewkes.

Poole’s Greg Glukowski flew off gate four in heat 11 to take a fine win to keep Poole in the running and with the points getting shared out between all four teams the half way point saw Poole take the interval six points ahead of Wednesfield on 51 points, with Great Blakenham on 34 in third place.

Luck wasn’t to be on A&T’s side when Kyle Holland took an exclusion for moving at the tapes in the first heat after the resumption, as Poole’s Glukowski took his third win of the match in the re-run.

Wins from Aaron Smith, Ben Mould and Glukowski all-but-won the match for the hosts with the final four heats remaining.

Poole started to falter in the final four heats, only taking four points but their points difference to Wednesfield was too great to be over turned, the Dorset club running out eventual winners by five points.

Standings

1. Poole - 91 points

2. Wednesfield - 86 points

3. Great Blakenham - 74 points

4. Astley & Tyldesley - 66 points

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