Post by Pieman on May 30, 2006 20:37:54 GMT
WOLVES 53 OXFORD 37, ELITE LEAGUE A, MONDAY 29TH MAY
Parry’s International Wolves:
Peter Karlsson 3 3 3 2* 2* =13+2 (paid max)
Magnus Karlsson 0 2* 1 1 =4+1
Ronnie Correy 1* 0 0 2 =3+1
Freddie Lindgren 2 1 1 2* =6+1
Billy Hamill 3 3 3 3 3 =15 (full max)
Ben Wilson 1 R F =1
Christian Hefenbrock 3 2* 3 0 3 =11+1
Cheetahs:
Todd Wiltshire 2 3 2 1 0 =8
Davey Watt 1* 2* 2 1* =6+3
Freddie Eriksson 0 1* R 3 =4+1
Adam Skornicki 3 2 2 1 1 =9
David Howe 1 R 3 0 =4
Sam Martin M 1 M 1 =2
Eric Andersson 2 0 0 2* 0 =4+1
Despite the poor track conditions caused by surely the most changeable weather ever known in Wolverhampton, the Wolves put in a spirited performance, although on paper the score looked higher. Had all seven Wolves been firing on all cylinders instead of three, the win would have been much bigger. Billy and PK looked impeccable on their way to full and paid maximums, while Christian was unlucky not to also go unbeaten by an opponent in another impressive showing. Freddie looked worryingly off-form as did Ronnie, while Magnus and Ben continued to try their hardest.
The start of the meeting was delayed until 7.50 due to the wet track conditions, but once everything was ready Wolves won the toss and took gates 1 and 3.
Heat 1: P Karlsson, Wiltshire, Watt, M Karlsson, 60.00. 3-3, 3-3.
Despite the conditions the opener was an absorbing encounter, with PK and Wiltshire fighting it out side-by-side all the way on the muddy surface. PK eventually managed to put Wiltshire into the deep dirt on the last lap for a very impressive win, while Magnus remained adrift at the back. If a track this wet could produce such action, what would happen once the surface dried out?
Heat 2: Hefenbrock, Andersson, Wilson, Martin (exc, 2 mins), 61.25. 4-2, 7-5.
Oxford reserve Lubos Tomicek was unable to make it back from Poland for this match, so Conference League rider Sam Martin replaced him at short notice. Things did not get off to a good start for him as he failed to beat the two-minute warning and was handicapped 15 metres. When he did appear, his bike promptly failed and he was excluded from the race, leading to amusing scenes as the riders changed gate positions for a third time (when on a handicap, riders must start from the outside)! When things finally got underway Christian led all the way, while the wide-riding Ben was taken by Andersson on the first lap.
Heat 3: Skornicki, Lindgren, Correy, Eriksson, 60.48. 3-3, 10-8.
Adam led all the way chased by an erratic-looking Freddie, while Ronnie dropped away into third place. Mmm donuts – however soggy they are!
Heat 4: Hamill, Hefenbrock, Howe, Andersson, 59.84. 5-1, 15-9.
An impressive 5-1 from the gate, with Billy recording the fastest time so far.
Heat 5: Wiltshire, Watt, Lindgren, Correy, 60.86. 1-5, 16-14.
Oxford swung it straight back again with an unexpected 5-1 from the gate.
Heat 6: P Karlsson, M Karlsson, Martin, Howe (ret), 59.76. 5-1, 21-15.
David gated in second behind PK but his bike failed on the first lap handing the Karlsson brothers a 5-1. Sam Martin wobbled round for his first Elite league point.
Heat 7: Hamill, Skornicki, Eriksson, Wilson (ret), 59.59. 3-3, 24-18.
From the gate, with Ben dropping out on the last lap. Billy was again very rapid from the front.
Heat 8: Hefenbrock, Watt, M Karlsson, Andersson, 60.79. 4-2, 20-20.
Wolves were on a 5-1 for the first lap, but Watt took Magnus down the back straight to split them.
Heat 9: Howe, Andersson, Lindgren, Correy, Martin (exc, 2 mins), 59.56. 1-5, 29-25.
As Sam Martin settled into his gate, his bike decided to fail again, and he was once again excluded and sadly received almost no assistance back to the pits. Andersson was brought in as a replacement, and a Wolves heat advantage was expected. What followed was a decidedly poor display from Ronnie and Freddie, with Freddie continually trying the inside line on the last lap only to be blocked by Andersson – oops!
Heat 10: P Karlsson, Skornicki, M Karlsson, Eriksson (ret), 59.97. 4-2, 33-27.
Adam appeared to move at the start but the race continued. Eriksson retired on lap one, while PK continued his unbeaten run.
Heat 11: Hamill, Wiltshire, Watt, Hefenbrock, 59.22. 3-3, 36-30.
The swapping of the reserves did not bring about the desired verdict, but Billy posted another quick time on his way to win number three.
Heat 12: Eriksson, Correy, Martin, Wilson (fell), 61.37. 2-4, 38-34.
Ben was brought in as in theory he had a better chance of defeating Martin than Watt. To his credit Ben gated, but lifted wildly down the back straight before falling on turn three, and the gamble backfired once again. Ronnie kept it smooth for second behind Eriksson.
Heat 13: Hamill, P Karlsson, Wiltshire, Howe, 59.45. 5-1, 43-35.
Billy swept around the outside of the pack on turn two to lead once again – the only time he was headed all evening -, and took win number four ahead of PK.
Heat 14: Hefenbrock, Lindgren, Skornicki, Andersson, 60.61. 5-1, 48-36.
Wolves secured the match by leading all the way for a 5-1, with Christian capping a superb performance once again.
Heat 15: Hamill, P Karlsson, Skornicki, Wiltshire, 59.83. 5-1, 53-37.
Billy and PK completed their maximums in style, with PK fighting off the early attentions of Adam to race into a clear second behind Billy.
Comment/Summary:
Weather: A very changeable mixture of rain and sun, with very localised showers all day and evening.
Track: Too much dirt was put down for the wet conditions, leading to a deep and muddy surface.
Attendance: A little down on the usual Bank Holiday crowd, most likely due to the weather.
Wolves Performance: Three riders excellent, two mediocre, two below average.
Entertainment: Some decent action despite the conditions.
Referee (Chris Durno): No major decisions except Sam Martin’s antics, with everything correct including the postponement of the start time.
Man of the Match: Christian and PK were worthy candidates, but it has to go to Billy Hamill for clearly his fastest riding in a long time – just check out those race times!
Rider Ratings: (now on a scale of ten with 6 being the average expectation)
Peter Karlsson: 9 Another stunning Monmore performance – keep it up PK!
Magnus Karlsson: 5 Looked a little more enthusiastic.
Ronnie Correy: 4 Looked quite slow.
Fredrik Lindgren: 4 Below what we would expect from Freddie.
Billy Hamill: 10 Could not have done better if he had tried.
Ben Wilson: 4 Showed enthusiasm, but struggled with the wet track.
Christian Hefenbrock: 9 Only one blip in his scorechart – superb once again, and on a track surface he would not normally do well on.
The great fixture planning sees two away matches awaiting the Wolves this week, with a visit to Poole on Wednesday before a tough-looking trip to high-flying Peterborough the following night. Can the Wolves pull together and pull of a surprise result? One thing is for sure – a big contingent of travelling support will work wonders!
Once a Wolf, always a Wolf
Dave Goddard a.k.a. Pieman
Parry’s International Wolves:
Peter Karlsson 3 3 3 2* 2* =13+2 (paid max)
Magnus Karlsson 0 2* 1 1 =4+1
Ronnie Correy 1* 0 0 2 =3+1
Freddie Lindgren 2 1 1 2* =6+1
Billy Hamill 3 3 3 3 3 =15 (full max)
Ben Wilson 1 R F =1
Christian Hefenbrock 3 2* 3 0 3 =11+1
Cheetahs:
Todd Wiltshire 2 3 2 1 0 =8
Davey Watt 1* 2* 2 1* =6+3
Freddie Eriksson 0 1* R 3 =4+1
Adam Skornicki 3 2 2 1 1 =9
David Howe 1 R 3 0 =4
Sam Martin M 1 M 1 =2
Eric Andersson 2 0 0 2* 0 =4+1
Despite the poor track conditions caused by surely the most changeable weather ever known in Wolverhampton, the Wolves put in a spirited performance, although on paper the score looked higher. Had all seven Wolves been firing on all cylinders instead of three, the win would have been much bigger. Billy and PK looked impeccable on their way to full and paid maximums, while Christian was unlucky not to also go unbeaten by an opponent in another impressive showing. Freddie looked worryingly off-form as did Ronnie, while Magnus and Ben continued to try their hardest.
The start of the meeting was delayed until 7.50 due to the wet track conditions, but once everything was ready Wolves won the toss and took gates 1 and 3.
Heat 1: P Karlsson, Wiltshire, Watt, M Karlsson, 60.00. 3-3, 3-3.
Despite the conditions the opener was an absorbing encounter, with PK and Wiltshire fighting it out side-by-side all the way on the muddy surface. PK eventually managed to put Wiltshire into the deep dirt on the last lap for a very impressive win, while Magnus remained adrift at the back. If a track this wet could produce such action, what would happen once the surface dried out?
Heat 2: Hefenbrock, Andersson, Wilson, Martin (exc, 2 mins), 61.25. 4-2, 7-5.
Oxford reserve Lubos Tomicek was unable to make it back from Poland for this match, so Conference League rider Sam Martin replaced him at short notice. Things did not get off to a good start for him as he failed to beat the two-minute warning and was handicapped 15 metres. When he did appear, his bike promptly failed and he was excluded from the race, leading to amusing scenes as the riders changed gate positions for a third time (when on a handicap, riders must start from the outside)! When things finally got underway Christian led all the way, while the wide-riding Ben was taken by Andersson on the first lap.
Heat 3: Skornicki, Lindgren, Correy, Eriksson, 60.48. 3-3, 10-8.
Adam led all the way chased by an erratic-looking Freddie, while Ronnie dropped away into third place. Mmm donuts – however soggy they are!
Heat 4: Hamill, Hefenbrock, Howe, Andersson, 59.84. 5-1, 15-9.
An impressive 5-1 from the gate, with Billy recording the fastest time so far.
Heat 5: Wiltshire, Watt, Lindgren, Correy, 60.86. 1-5, 16-14.
Oxford swung it straight back again with an unexpected 5-1 from the gate.
Heat 6: P Karlsson, M Karlsson, Martin, Howe (ret), 59.76. 5-1, 21-15.
David gated in second behind PK but his bike failed on the first lap handing the Karlsson brothers a 5-1. Sam Martin wobbled round for his first Elite league point.
Heat 7: Hamill, Skornicki, Eriksson, Wilson (ret), 59.59. 3-3, 24-18.
From the gate, with Ben dropping out on the last lap. Billy was again very rapid from the front.
Heat 8: Hefenbrock, Watt, M Karlsson, Andersson, 60.79. 4-2, 20-20.
Wolves were on a 5-1 for the first lap, but Watt took Magnus down the back straight to split them.
Heat 9: Howe, Andersson, Lindgren, Correy, Martin (exc, 2 mins), 59.56. 1-5, 29-25.
As Sam Martin settled into his gate, his bike decided to fail again, and he was once again excluded and sadly received almost no assistance back to the pits. Andersson was brought in as a replacement, and a Wolves heat advantage was expected. What followed was a decidedly poor display from Ronnie and Freddie, with Freddie continually trying the inside line on the last lap only to be blocked by Andersson – oops!
Heat 10: P Karlsson, Skornicki, M Karlsson, Eriksson (ret), 59.97. 4-2, 33-27.
Adam appeared to move at the start but the race continued. Eriksson retired on lap one, while PK continued his unbeaten run.
Heat 11: Hamill, Wiltshire, Watt, Hefenbrock, 59.22. 3-3, 36-30.
The swapping of the reserves did not bring about the desired verdict, but Billy posted another quick time on his way to win number three.
Heat 12: Eriksson, Correy, Martin, Wilson (fell), 61.37. 2-4, 38-34.
Ben was brought in as in theory he had a better chance of defeating Martin than Watt. To his credit Ben gated, but lifted wildly down the back straight before falling on turn three, and the gamble backfired once again. Ronnie kept it smooth for second behind Eriksson.
Heat 13: Hamill, P Karlsson, Wiltshire, Howe, 59.45. 5-1, 43-35.
Billy swept around the outside of the pack on turn two to lead once again – the only time he was headed all evening -, and took win number four ahead of PK.
Heat 14: Hefenbrock, Lindgren, Skornicki, Andersson, 60.61. 5-1, 48-36.
Wolves secured the match by leading all the way for a 5-1, with Christian capping a superb performance once again.
Heat 15: Hamill, P Karlsson, Skornicki, Wiltshire, 59.83. 5-1, 53-37.
Billy and PK completed their maximums in style, with PK fighting off the early attentions of Adam to race into a clear second behind Billy.
Comment/Summary:
Weather: A very changeable mixture of rain and sun, with very localised showers all day and evening.
Track: Too much dirt was put down for the wet conditions, leading to a deep and muddy surface.
Attendance: A little down on the usual Bank Holiday crowd, most likely due to the weather.
Wolves Performance: Three riders excellent, two mediocre, two below average.
Entertainment: Some decent action despite the conditions.
Referee (Chris Durno): No major decisions except Sam Martin’s antics, with everything correct including the postponement of the start time.
Man of the Match: Christian and PK were worthy candidates, but it has to go to Billy Hamill for clearly his fastest riding in a long time – just check out those race times!
Rider Ratings: (now on a scale of ten with 6 being the average expectation)
Peter Karlsson: 9 Another stunning Monmore performance – keep it up PK!
Magnus Karlsson: 5 Looked a little more enthusiastic.
Ronnie Correy: 4 Looked quite slow.
Fredrik Lindgren: 4 Below what we would expect from Freddie.
Billy Hamill: 10 Could not have done better if he had tried.
Ben Wilson: 4 Showed enthusiasm, but struggled with the wet track.
Christian Hefenbrock: 9 Only one blip in his scorechart – superb once again, and on a track surface he would not normally do well on.
The great fixture planning sees two away matches awaiting the Wolves this week, with a visit to Poole on Wednesday before a tough-looking trip to high-flying Peterborough the following night. Can the Wolves pull together and pull of a surprise result? One thing is for sure – a big contingent of travelling support will work wonders!
Once a Wolf, always a Wolf
Dave Goddard a.k.a. Pieman
