Bees on course for last four

Coventry run Belle Vue close in first leg

By Graeme Bailey   Last updated: 17th June 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Bees on course for last four

Barker: In fine form (Picture credit Les Aubrey)

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Knockout Cup holders Coventry Bees are odds-on to make it to the last four after losing by just five points to Belle Vue Aces in the first leg of the quarter-final clash at Kirkmanshulme Lane.

The Aces were on top for much of the meeting and had a ten-point lead going into heat 10.

However, a tactical win from skipper Chris Harris put them back in touch and Belle Vue could not extend the advantage further.

Jason Crump was imperious with an impeccable 15-point maximum whilst Charlie Gjedde (11+1), Joe Screen (10) and Billy Forsberg (7+2) all scored well.

But in reserve Belle Vue could not match Coventry and that is where the visitors took advantage.

Indeed with the exception of Chris Harris (15), Coventry's top order did not fire with Olly Allen (1), Simon Stead (4+1) and Rory Schlein (5+1) all disappointing.

But veteran Pole Stan Burza (10+2) and English starlet Ben Barker (9+1) both produced sterling efforts to put Coventry in prime position ahead of the second leg.

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