|
|
| |
| |  | NEW Birmingham signing Adam Ellis admitted a sloppy first leg showing cost them their place in the next round of the Knockout Cup.
They beat Eastbourne 50-40 on the night after a superb effort but ultimately bowed out of the competition 97-82.
Laurence Rogers' men gave a much improved display which they'll be looking to carry forward into their Championship campaign.
Edwards Plumbing Brummies ace Ellis said: "It was a brave effort by the boys but realistically it was always a long shot to turn over 25-points. We gave it our best shot but the first leg cost us. We have to take the positives from this."
There was drama early on when Edward Kennett came to grief after a close contest with home favourite Tom Bacon "“ all four riders were allowed back.
Eastbourne's Ben Morley fell in the rerun but the referee allowed the race to continue and Adam Ellis got the win but Kennett, a former Birmingham rider for an ill-fated short spell five years ago, passed Bacon.
And fans favourite Paco Castagna "“ who is making Heat 2 his own these days "“ partnered Nathan Stoneman for a Brummies 5-1 in the next outing to lead 9-3 on the night but Eastbourne remained in control on aggregate.
Ashley Morris was an impressive winner of the next but with Ulrich Ostergaard excluded Birmingham couldn't eat into the aggregate deficit.
Richard Lawson was a class act in winning Heat 5 for Eastbourne but Brummies duo Stoneman and Zach Waktknecht superb worked their way past Georgie Wood to share the heat "“ once again no progress made in closing the overall deficit.
Birmingham picked up two successive 4-2 wins with Morris and Ellis winning after receiving warnings for delaying the start and the home side were 23-15 up.
The task was made harder for Birmingham when Eastbourne gained a 5-1 from a race awarded when Wajtknecht fell with Lewi Kerr and former Brummies man Kyle Newman in front.
With only eight heats remaining Eastbourne had a 21-point aggregate cushion from which Birmingham were never going to recover.
But there was still time for some home heroics. Tom Bacon led Heat 8 and Stoneman, giving his all, picked off both Eagles riders for a 5-1 maximum to thrill fans.
Eastbourne went on to duly wrap the tie up "“ but only after Birmingham had given them a real scare!
BIRMINGHAM 50: Adam Ellis 13, Ashley Morris 11+1, Nathan Stoneman 9+3, Tom Bacon 7+1, Paco Castagna 6, Ulrich Ostergaard 3+2, Zach Wajtknecht 1+1.
EASTBOURNE 40: Richard Lawson 12, Edward Kennett 10, Lewis Kerr 8+1, Kyle Newman 4+1, Alfie Bowtell 3, Ben Morley 2, Georgie Wood 1.
Eastbourne win 97-82 on aggregate.
| Share This: |
 |
 |
| |
| | | | |
