A depleted Belle Vue ‘Cool Running’ Colts side still put on a strong offensive when they faced off against the Middlesbrough Tigers on Friday, June 7 at the Ecco Arena.
The visitors found themselves without three key figures, with Sam Hagon, Freddy Hodder and Luke Muff all missing in action due to other commitments or injury.
But the remaining racers gave their hosts far more than they bargained for with a great display of courage that ensured the scored remained only within a sliver of each other for much of the night.
It wasn’t until very late on in the meeting that Middlesborough managed to gain a foothold on proceedings, but even then there was just 5 points separating the sides with one race to go.
Being new to the Ecco Arena, Chad Wirtzfeld and Jack Shimelt both struggled initially, but continued to get stuck in regardless to support their colleagues.
Cool Running Colts guest Dayle Wood led the charge for Belle Vue with an impressive 13+1, while Matt Marson collected a favourable 8+1 and the McGurk brothers, between them, scoring 14+1.
Team boss Graham Godwin said: “The lads battled hard, but with three riders missing it was always going to be a tough ask though they still didn’t hesitate and got stuck in.
“Dayle Wood and Sam McGurk really put in a shift for us, but with only collecting 3+1 from Sam Hagon’s R/R rides it was less than ideal/
“We got off to a tough start when Sam fell in Heat 1 and Chad pulled up with carburettor problems to concede a 5-0, and we were on a 5-1 in Heat 2 when Jack fell on the last lap.
“Chad touched the tapes in Heat 8 and thought he caught up to the Middlesbrough riders, he couldn't get past to join Harry for a 5-1 which would have given us the lead.
“All in all it was disappointing not to get the win, which we could have got with a full team, but it's a development league and we can’t complain because the lads far from disgraced themselves.”
One of the biggest events on the Belle Vue calendar arrives at the National Speedway Stadium on Saturday, June 8 in the form of the 2024 Attis Insurance British Final.
Meeting tickets, race day programmes and hospitality are now available to book at bellevue-speedway.com/events. Please note, South and Co-Op car parks are now sold out.
RESULT – MIDDLESBROUGH V BELLE VUE – FRIDAY, JUNE 7 @ 7:30PM [NDL]
Middlesbrough Tigers 48: Ben Trigger 13+1, Jake Mulford 12, Kai Ward 6+1, Danny Phillips 6, Jamie Halder 6, Ben Rathbone 4+2, William Hocaniuk 1+1
Belle Vue ‘Cool Running’ Colts 41: Dayle Wood 13+1, Matt Marson 8+1, Harry McGurk 7+1, Sam McGurk 7, Chad Wirtzfeld 0, Jack Shimelt 0, Sam Hagon R/R
Image: ©Belle Vue Speedway