Speedway: Wolves face anxious wait after meeting abandoned

Deluges throughout the day left the Manchester track soaked and despite a delayed start the plug was pulled after six races.

Patched-up Parrys International Wolves were missing four riders due to injury, but called upon former Aces captain Scott Nicholls, Glasgow’s Richard Lawson, Mark Riss’s brother Eric and rider replacement.

They got off to an ideal start in the first heat with Lawson making the gate and managing to keep the Aces duo behind him for four laps. Guest Scott Nicholls worked hard to pass Belle Vue’s Kenneth Bjerre, who seemed to be struggling with his goggles, on the final bend.

They followed that up with another 4-2 in heat two with Greaves managing to beat Belle Vue’s young superstar Dan Bewley to the win.

Track conditions improved race by race and suited Aces No.4 Rohan Tungate who flew from the gate to take the win over Erik Riss, pulling two crucial points back for the Aces who'd struggled to adapt to the wet track in the early heats.

Aces reserve Jack Smith just made it to tapes in time for heat 4 and it was a good job he did, making the gate before pushing Sam Masters aside to allow his teammate Craig Cook through. The move brought the Aces fans to their feet as they celebrate a huge 5-1, which left them 8 points down on aggregate.

A hard move by guest number 2 Richard Lawson in heat 5 saw him take British Champion Craig Cook wide, but that only created a hole for Tungate to slip through, with his teammate soon following. Lawson had no answer and Nicholls pulled up, cutting the Wolverhampton lead to just 4 points.

But they hit back immediately in the next race with a sublime ride from Sam Masters to once again deny the home no.1 Kenneth Bjerre.

The rain once again came down after Heat 6 and following a discussion with the two team captains, the referee announced the meeting was abandoned.

They will have to do it all over again in Manchester next Monday, October 16.

PREMIERSHIP KO CUP FINAL, 2nd leg

BELLE VUE 20: Rohan Tungate 6, Craig Cook 4+2, Jack Smith 3, Steve Worrall 3, Kenneth Bjerre 2, Dan Bewley 2, Max Fricke r/r

WOLVERHAMPTON 16: Sam Masters 4, Richard Lawson 4, Nathan Greaves 3, Erik Riss 2, Mark Riss 2, Scott Nicholls 1, Jacob Thorssell r/r