Wednesfield keep title hopes alive in big clash with Ipswich

Wednesfield keep title hopes alive in big clash with Ipswich

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Wednesfield Aces defeated Ipswich Eagles in the round seven crunch match of the British Cycling Cycle Speedway Elite League Series on Sunday.

With title hopes for both teams on the line, nerves were clearly showing with a large number of tapes disqualifications for riders moving while under starters orders.

The Aces seized the initiative early on with a 7-3 heat advantage in the first race, followed by a 6-4 before the Eagles hit back with their own 6-4 advantage.

This was the way of it for much of the match, with the Aces edging ahead, only for Ipswich to pull themselves back into contention. Wednesfield held a slim three point advantage at half time, with the scores 45-42.

Ipswich pulled level in the second half after a 7-3 from faultless Australian star, Cody Chadwick and partner Hill. Two counter attacks from Wednesfield in the next three heats saw the match slip away from the Eagles, as the floodgates opened and Wednesfield took control of the closing stages.

The victory means Ipswich now have three losses to their name and only two matches left, severely denting their hopes of the title. Wednesfield are still in contention after a much needed 2 points and sit joint top with Horspath, who have a match in hand. 

2016 CS Elite League Series | League Table

P

W

D

L

PD

TOTAL

Horspath

4

3

0

1

61

6

Wednesfield

5

3

0

2

20

6

Ipswich

6

3

0

3

7

6

Coventry

6

3

0

3

-16

6

Poole

5

1

0

3

-133

2

Coventry joined Horspath, Wednesfield and Ipswich on 6 points after a comprehensive victory against Poole at Hearsall Common.

The home side managed to inflict 16 of 20 last places on the visitors, which gave little opportunity to get back into the match after falling behind early on.

A strong first half for Coventry saw them take 6 heat advantages, with 4 from the outside grids, leaving Poole an uphill battle.

The second half started much the same, but Poole rallied with some advantages of their own towards the end of the second half, before Coventry closed the match with a 7-3.

Three times British Champion, Andy Angell, was back to his best for the home side. While Polish flyer, Dawid Bas rode well for the visitors.

Coventry will be pleased to be back in the mix, but any hopes of a title are still slim, despite being joint-top, as Horspath have two matches in hand over both Coventry and Ipswich.

Round eight, on 7 August 2016, will give us a clearer picture of where the Elite League title might be heading.

Wednesfield are away at Coventry, where winning is essential, while Ipswich are in last chance saloon at home against Horspath. They beat the Hammers at the Village in round three, if they can do the same, they will still have slim hopes of the title making its way to Suffolk for the first time.