BIRMINGHAM ace Adam Ellis was a deserving winner of the prestigious F.A.S.T Golden Hammer at Perry Barr.
The Brummies’ No.1 put in a dominant display to claim a spectacular victory courtesy of a faultless 15 point maximum.
A classy triumph as he met Max Clegg in heat seven eventually proved decisive as he took victory by a single point ahead of the Cradley skipper, who ended in second place with 14 points.
Whilst Clegg was in impressive form as he aimed to become the third successive home winner of the event, he was unable to match the untouchable Ellis.
However, the Heathens’ favourite was nonetheless pleased with his performance as he reeled off four stunning wins from his five rides.
“It would have been great to win, but I’m still happy with how I rode tonight,” said Clegg.
“Adam (Ellis) was just the better rider on the night, he deserved to win but I’m really pleased to get on the rostrum.
“It was a good line-up with some hard riders to beat, but I made some good gates and rode well so it was a good night for me.”
Kent man Ben Morley eventually joined them on the rostrum with a strong showing. He bounced back from a fall in his opening ride to notch 11 points and edge third place ahead of Ashley Morris and Robert Branford.
Former Heathens’ skipper Morris was faced with an uphill task after a tapes exclusion in his second outing – although he came within a whisker of lowering the colours of Ellis in a thrilling heat 14.
Branford – a late call-up in place of Josh Bates – emerged as an early front runner with two races wins before he was relegated to the back on a tight first bend in heat 18 as he missed out on the top three.
Meanwhile, Cradley reserve Arron Mogridge put in an excellent performance to end with nine points against a strong field, whilst Matt Williamson scored a solid eight after his recent injury lay-off. It was unfortunately a much less successful evening for Ellis Perks, who endured a nightmare with bike troubles and two falls as he managed just two points.
Michael Neale dusted himself down from an awkward heat three fall to add a creditable three points, whilst Luke Harris was on the pace as he took two rides as track reserve.
It was a superb night as the first ever Golden Hammer at Perry Barr drew the biggest crowd for the event in four seasons and Cradley’s largest attendance of the campaign.
Club Director Nigel Pearson said: “I just want to thank the Dudley Stroke Association, all the supporters and the Birmingham Speedway staff for a hugely successful night and offer my congratulations to Adam Ellis for a terrific victory.”
Cradley will turn their attentions to a busy spell of crucial fixtures as they aim to keep their National League title bid alive.
They will begin a run of three consecutive away meetings as they travel to Stoke on Saturday (7pm) before returning to action at Perry Barr on Wednesday, August 26 against King’s Lynn.
FAST GOLDEN HAMMER, Cradley Adam Ellis 15, Max Clegg 14, Ben Morley 11, Robert Branford 10, Ashley Morris 10, Olli Greenwood 9, Arron Mogridge 9, Matt Williamson 8, Dan Greenwood 7, Tom Perry 6, Zach Wajtknecht 5, Darryl Ritchings 5, Lee Payne 4, Mike Neale 3, Danny Phillips 2, Ellis Perks 2, Luke Harris 0 (res).
