Holders set for last three

Coventry set to win group, Lakeside maintain hope

By Graeme Bailey   Last updated: 29th March 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Holders set for last three

Jonsson: Maximum for Lakeside Fotospeedway.pl

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Craven Shield holders Coventry Bees are on course for the latter stages after a resounding 54-39 win over Belle Vue Aces at Brandon .

Coventry knew victory was needed if they wanted to top the Northern section and the victory took them above Wolverhampton and into pole position to qualify for the last three.

The Bees dominated all evening with captain Chris Harris (12+1) and Olly Allen (10+1) showing up particularly well, whilst there was also good support from Rory Schlein, Billy Janniro and Simon Stead.

Belle Vue had number one Jason Crump firing on all cylinders and the Aussie was needed as he grabbed 15 points from five rides - although he had a tactical victory within that.

The only really support on a disappointing evening for the Manchester outfit came from Charlie Gjedde with 8.

The Bees are now very much in control, knowing that with only the return leg to come at Kirkmanshulme Lane, they have an 18-point points advantage to defend and make sure they stay top.

Eastern battle

With Poole already through from the Southern section and Coventry almost certain to progress from the Northern third, the Eastern group is the only outstanding question with Ipswich looking favourites.

Lakeside Hammers are the only side who could deny The Witches, after they made sure Peterborough Panthers could not progress after a 58-35 win at the Arena-Essex Raceway.

Peterborough have not shown up well early this season and they were on the other end of a hammering as Lakeside showed their in-depth strength.

Number one Andreas Jonsson was faultless with a 15-point maximum and it could have been so much worse for Peterborough if Hammers skipper Adam Shields had not fell in his opening two rides before winning his last two.

To go with Jonsson, Leigh Lanham (9+3), Jonas Davidsson (9+1) and Lubos Tomicek (7+2) were also in fine form.

Many feel Peterborough are a two-man team in Hans Anderson and Kenneth Bjerre and it was the Danes who grabbed most of their points with 9 and 12 points respectively.

Lakeside now travel to the East of England Showground knowing they need a victory to take them through ahead of Ipswich.

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