CRADLEY battled to a 52-42 win over Coventry on a dramatic night in their National League Grand Final first leg at Monmore Green.
The two top sides in the third tier provided a blockbuster night of action before the Heathens eventually left with a ten point advantage to take to Brandon for the decisive second leg.
After a strong start the Heathens were dealt a major blow as Nathan Greaves aggravated an ankle injury before star man Steve Worrall suffered a wrist injury in a nasty heat ten spill.
Reduced to just five riders, the former Dudley Wood outfit fought admirably to come away with victory despite their misfortune.
However, their title ambitions are left on a knife-edge after the determined Storm prevented them from establishing a larger lead in an entertaining meeting.
Team boss Will Pottinger admitted they had been hoping for a bigger lead – although he remains confident they can defend a ten point advantage.
Said Pottinger: “We are fairly happy with that in the end. We probably would have liked more but considering we were missing two riders by the end we have to be satisfied with a ten point lead.
“We’ll be able to use tactical rides if we need them and we did well at Coventry a few weeks ago, so we’ve just got to give it our best and we are confident we can get over the line.”
Skipper Paul Starke top scored with a tremendous display, leading a heat advantage in the final race of the night as Cradley ended a tense night on a high.
He was joined in heat 15 by flying youngster Max Clegg, who himself stormed to three composed race wins including victories to snuff out Coventry tactical rides in heats nine and 12.
Down at reserve Matt Williamson put in a determined display, prevailing over Stefan Nielsen in a blockbuster heat seven to join Starke at the front for a big 5-1.
He was also involved in a bizarre heat eight maximum as both he and Danny Phillips emerged ahead from a chaotic race during which all four riders separately fell.
Local lad Tom Perry also impressed, snatching victory from Dan Greenwood on the run to the line in a scintillating heat 14 to help Cradley edge clear in the closing stages.
The losses of Worrall and Greaves undoubtedly had a major impact for the hosts, and they will be anxiously awaiting further news as they prepare for a tense second leg at Brandon provisionally scheduled for Wednesday, October 29.
CRADLEY 52: Paul Starke 13, Max Clegg 11+1, Matt Williamson 9+2, Tom Perry 8+1, Steve Worrall 5, Danny Phillips 4+1, Nathan Greaves 2+1.
COVENTRY 42: James Sarjeant 14, Stefan Nielsen 9, Simon Lambert 8+1, Martin Knuckey 6+2, Dan Greenwood 4+1, Ryan Terry-Daley 1, Luke Priest 0
