CRADLEY team manager Will Pottinger says there are plenty of positives to be taken from their trip to Sheffield despite slipping to a 51-39 defeat.
The Heathens found themselves level at the half-way point, but an injury to guest No.1 Ben Wilson made it an uphill task for the visitors in the second part of the meeting.
Pottinger was proud of his side and says his riders can hold their heads high. “We ran Sheffield fairly close and if it wasn’t for losing Ben Wilson I think we could have pushed them even closer,” he said.
“Ellis (Perks) did well at reserve again and we made the most of the opportunity to use him as much as we possibly could and it’s great to see him racing with such confidence like he was earlier in the season.
“Matt Williamson progressed superbly as the meeting went on and although he didn’t manage a race win he put in some decent rides against some strong Premier League opposition.
“It was valuable track time for all of the lads, even though some of them may feel a little disappointed with their scores, but tonight will have been a good learning curve for everyone in the team.
“It was a worthwhile exercise; Sheffield is a good race-track so it was a decent indication of what to expect and it was a good build-up meeting for the team ahead of our trip to King’s Lynn on Friday.”
Ellis Perks continued his fine run of recent form with double-figures once again while Matt Williamson arguably deserved even more than the paid nine score he achieved.
Guest Zach Wajtknecht looked impressive on his first ever trip to Owlerton and Ben Wilson won his opening two rides before crashing in his third outing.
Michael Neale put in another decent showing while both Arron Mogridge and Tyler Govier will have found the experience useful despite both enduring tough nights.
SHEFFIELD 51: Arthur Sissis 15, Paco Castagna 12, Josh Bates 10+1, Danny Ayres 5+1, Rob Shuttleworth 5+1, Chris Widman 3, Alex Wilson 1+1.
CRADLEY 39: Ellis Perks 13+1, Matt Williamson 8+1, Zach Wajtknecht 7+1, Ben Wilson 6, Michael Neale 4+2, Arron Mogridge 1, Tyler Govier 0.
