WOLVES LOSE OUT IN SUPER-HEAT

WOLVERHAMPTON were edged out in a Super Heat by Leicester as they concluded their regular home league programme on Monday.

Just as was the case when they met at Monmore last month, the two sides couldn’t be separated during the 15 main heats, drawing 45-45.

But this time it was the East Midlands outfit who took the honours - despite Wolves still adding two league points to their tally having won on aggregate.

The fixture opened with a hat-trick of 3-3s with the visitors taking the chequered flag in each.

The best of the early action came when Leicester sat on a 5-1 in Heat Three before Ryan Douglas and Luke Becker worked their way past Richie Worrall – with Becker almost snatching victory on the run to the line after an untidy final corner from Lewis Kerr.

Leicester did take the lead in Heat Four but a re-run did actually do Wolves a favour. Rory Schlein slid off on bends one and two of lap two and got stuck under his machine.

The Lions were on a 5-1 at the time of the stoppage, but lone Wolf Leon Flint managed to split Richard Lawson and Drew Kemp in the restaging after a fine move to cut back under the latter down the back straight.

Leicester’s No.1 Max Fricke made it two from two to maintain the visitors’ winning run before Wolves drew back level in Heat Six.

Steve Worrall rounded Richard Lawson on bend three of the opening lap to help the Wolves to a first race win whilst skipper Sam Masters took third place.

Leicester retook the lead with a 5-1 in Heat Seven despite the best late efforts of Schlein before Worrall made it back-to-back race wins in Heat Eight.

The scores were level again after Heat Nine when Douglas and Becker struck the hosts’ first 5-1 of the night before Masters forced his way past Kemp on lap two for his first victory.

Fricke continued his unbeaten night by taking Heat 11 before the visitors edged ahead again with a 4-2 in Heat 12.

There was drama ahead of Heat 13 with Lawson disqualified for warming up his tyre up off the track - but Wolves couldn’t take advantage with reserve switch Kemp beating Schlein for third whilst Fricke picked up yet another win.

Kemp slid off in the initial attempt of Heat 14 with the visitors in a strong position to seal the points - and Wolves capitalised in the re-run.

Richie Worrall blocked the run of Douglas down the back straight of the opening lap before Cook came steaming up his inside on the entry to lap two.

A fired up Douglas then followed suit as he charged under Worrall with a 5-1 levelling the scores into Heat 15.

Masters got ahead of Fricke whilst Douglas passed Lawson - but when Fricke stormed under Masters into the final lap yet another Super Heat was set up.

The Lions’ pairing of Lawson and Fricke outgated Masters and Douglas though and claimed the extra point.

Wolverhampton head to Sheffield on Thursday (September 7, 7.30) with the next action at Monmore Green the Sports Insure Premiership Play-Off Semi-Final on a date to be confirmed later in the month.

WOLVERHAMPTON 45 (2): Sam Masters 9+1, Ryan Douglas 8+4, Luke Becker 8+1, Steve Worrall 8, Zach Cook 7, Leon Flint 3+1, Rory Schlein 2+1.

LEICESTER 45 (7): Max Fricke 15, Drew Kemp 11+1, Lewis Kerr 8+1, Richard Lawson 5, Richie Worrall 3+1, Justin Sedgmen 2, Jake Allen 1.

Wolves win aggregate point 96-84