HEATHENS kept their National League play-off push on track with another three-point haul at Monmore against Newport.
The home side controlled the match after taking a 5-1 in the first race, but the Hornets have two of the league’s top riders in their ranks so Dudley were never likely to run away with the contest completely.
Todd Kurtz and Jay Herne duly took several race wins, but there were some fine efforts on the Heathens side to take points away from them, youngster Darryl Ritchings being involved in the Heat 1 maximum over Herne as he performed well on his elevation to the main body of the team, with a spectacular fourth-to-second effort in Heat 10 another highlight.
Tom Perry also enjoyed one of his best nights of the season and clocked the fastest time of the night in Heat 9 when he led Kurtz home, and there was an encouraging debut from Brendan Johnson with two race wins at reserve.
Heathens led by 16-points after Heat 12 before Newport put themselves back in contention for a point with an 8-1 in the next race when Kurtz won for double points.
There was high drama in Heat 14 when Johnson was penalised by referee Graham Flint for delaying the start, after twice moving at the gate, and with the Hornets’ Matt Bates then failing to beat the two-minute time allowance there was the unusual sight of two riders going from the 15-metre handicap.
Ashley Morris won the re-run with Johnson third to ensure all three points for the Heathens, and Kyle Newman then managed to split Herne and Kurtz in Heat 15 with Perry always in close attendance in a fine end to the meeting.
Heathens now move on to Belle Vue on Wednesday evening (8pm) naming an unchanged side as they return to a venue where they notched a 52-39 win in the Knockout Cup earlier in the season.
HEATHENS 52: Kyle Newman 11, Tom Perry 9+2, Brendan Johnson 9+2, Ashley Morris 8+1, Jon Armstrong 8, Darryl Ritchings 7+3, Adam Portwood 0.
NEWPORT 43: Todd Kurtz 15, Jay Herne 13+1, Richard Andrews 5, Tom Young 4+1, James White-Williams 3+1, Matt Bates 2, David Gough 1+1.
