Wolverhampton Wolves class tells in derby duel
Wolverhampton underlined their Premiership class with an impressive 53-37 win at Birmingham in David Mason’s Farewell meeting.
Mason brought the curtain down on a 20-year career with an entertaining night at Perry Barr as Birmingham prepare for their return to professional racing after four years at National League level, writes Nigel Pearson.
But Wolves were party poopers after making a flying start with four maximum 5-1 race wins in the opening six heats.
Skipper Sam Masters set the tone with a comfortable win in the first race, romping home ahead of new Birmingham signing Tobias Thomsen and guest rider Stevie Worrall.
And reserve pair Ashley Morris and Nathan Greaves handed Peter Adams’ men the early lead with a hard-fought win over determined home skipper James Shanes in the next.
The racing improved and heat six was a cracker with Morris and Thomsen jostling for second place before both came to grief and the home man was excluded – Wolves took the 5-1 gratefully.
American Luke Becker, on his Wolves debut, started slowly but his win in heat 11 over home star Ulrich Ostergaard and Masters’ third was well deserved. The 4-2 put Wolves almost out of sight.
Despite a late rally from the hosts, Max Clegg and Becker teamed up for a maximum in the last race.
Wolverhampton now turn their attentions to Monday when they face Peterborough at Monmore in the Premiership Supporters’ Cup.
