HEATHENS were hit by a late burst from the Birmingham Bulls as they were beaten in a challenge match at Perry Barr on Sunday.

The visitors trailed by just five points with four heats to go, but they conceded three 5-1s in the last four heats as the home side made the final score more emphatic – despite Ashley Morris winning a tactical ride in the penultimate race.

Heat wins were thin on the ground for the Heathens as the home side dominated in that department with Jack Hargreaves scoring a full 15-point maximum.

Heathens’ other race winners were Darryl Ritchings in Heat 2 and Richard Franklin in Heat 11, with four of their riders finishing with identical totals of 5+1, and skipper Jon Armstrong took five rides on his return from injury.

BIRMINGHAM 53: Jack Hargreaves 15, Steve Worrall 10+2, Paul Starke 8+1, Stefan Nielsen 8, Mark Baseby 7+2, Lewis Blackbird 3, Jake Knight 2+1.

DUDLEY 39: Ashley Morris 11+2, Byron Bekker 7, Richard Franklin 5+1, Tom Perry 5+1, Darryl Ritchings 5+1, Jon Armstrong 5+1, Luke Chessell 1+1.