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| |  | BIRMINGHAM secured local bragging rights with an impressive 57-31 win over rivals Cradley at Perry Barr.
The Surestop Brummies were in fine form as they comfortably saw off their neighbours and bounced back from last week's disappointing home defeat to Plymouth.
Graham Drury's side were on the front foot from the off after racing into a 10-point lead after just three heats.
And they never looked back to emerge with a resounding win and ensure the Heathens made the short trip back across the Midlands empty handed.
It was an excellent all-around team display from the hosts, who ran just four last places and were the better side in all departments.
And team boss Drury was full of praise for the efforts of his revamped young team.
"A lot rides on this meeting, we all know it does," said Drury. "I've gone on record as saying that although it's just three league points, it means a hell of a lot more than that to our supporters.
"It's about putting one over on the local rivals, and I do try to fire the riders up prior to a Cradley meeting because of what it means to the fans.
"In official matches that's now 8-1 to Birmingham, so I think we're definitely the pride of the Midlands at the moment.
"I thought Cradley came here at a good time, because our home form hasn't been brilliant recently.
"I know Cradley came here expecting a close meeting, and I've got to say I thought it would go down to the wire.
"It was an incredible result, and in no way did I think it would be such a runaway success like it was."
Taylor Hampshire continued his impressive start to life with the Brummies to notch a magnificent 12+1 points at reserve.
No.1 Jack Parkinson-Blackburn and Liam Carr also suffered just one defeat apiece, joining forces in heats 13 and 15 as they ran riot in the closing stages.
Tom Bacon and Layne Cupitt put in solid showings against a Cradley side with plenty of firepower courtesy of top two Tom Perry and Danny Ayres.
Despite a spectacular crash in heat nine, David Mason walked away and made a solid contribution in the engine room of the side.
Young gun Kyle Roberts was not so fortunate, however, as his comeback was cut short when he slid off his bike in heat seven.
The Brummies will be back in action when they head to Mildenhall on Sunday, July 16 (3pm) before hosting Stoke on Wednesday, July 19 (7.30).
BIRMINGHAM 57: Liam Carr 13+1, Jack Parkinson-Blackburn 12+1, Taylor Hampshire 12+1, Tom Bacon 9+1, Layne Cupitt 6+2, David Mason 4+3, Kyle Roberts 1.
CRADLEY 31: Tom Perry 10, Dan Greenwood 7+1, Danny Ayres 5, Conor Dwyer 4+1, Luke Harris 4+1, Joe Lawlor 1, Shelby Rutherford 0.
Picture: STEVE FEENEY
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