DUDLEY Heathens went top of Speedway's National League with a hard fought 54-41 win over Plymouth at Birmingham's Perry Barr track on Wednesday.

The former Cradley club, who are looking for a new home in the area, warmed up for their Knockout Cup Semi-final clash with Buxton at Wolves next Tuesday with a solid all-round effort.

Once again there was some spectacular racing on show with Tom Perry and Richard Franklin involved in most of the entertainment on a well prepared Birmingham circuit,

Franklin, who was only passed fit on the morning of the meeting, top scored with 10+3 from his five rides and Jake Anderson (10+2) and Perry (10+1) were in fine form.

Reserve Ashley Morris had an unlucky night with two nasty spills and skipper Lee Smart suffered mechanical gremlins, as did recent signing Barrie Evans.

Boss Will Pottinger said: "It's fair to say nobody really wants to face us in the play-offs because we are an in-form team, I was really pleased with that display.

"We need to carry this form forward to Wolverhampton on Tuesday in the Cup Semi-Final because if we are to make progress and reach the final we will need a useful lead from that. Buxton are the team to beat right now in my view."

HEATHENS: Richard Franklin 10+3, Jake Anderson 10+2, Tom Perry 10+1, Lee Smart 8, Micky Dyer 7+1, Barrie Evans 5+1, Ashley Morris 4+1.

PLYMOUTH: Mark Simmonds 17, Seemond Stephens 11+1, Nicki Glanz 5, Ben Reade 3+1, Matt Bates 3, Jaimie Pickard 2+2, Bob Charles 0.