Academy Go Down In Manchester

An undermanned Stellar Monarchs Academy were the latest to experience just how strong the Belle Vue colts are at home as they fell 54-36 at the National Speedway on Friday night.

With 4 of their regular 1-7 missing and up against a team that had averaged 59 points in their four home matches so far this season it was always going to be a tough challenge for the Academy men but there will be frustration that the aggregate bonus point also went the way of the home men the 10 point advantage held by the Armadale outfit quickly swallowed up.

Academy boss Scott Wilson saying after

'It was another case of what might have been for us, which is becoming the story of our season. We hung in well through the middle part of the meeting after Belle Vue built an early lead but heats 12 and 13 proved crucial for the bonus point.

'Mickie rode very well with some good gates and hard riding, he has put in his best two displays of the season in our last two meetings.

'And of course Ashton was a star guest - we thank him greatly for his efforts.'

As Wilson mentioned the score line was not down to any lack of effort and special mention must go to guest Ashton Boughen who was quite simply breathtaking to watch throughout.

At 15 years old and still in his first season in British speedway there can't be many hotter prospects.

Max Clegg also battled manfully throughout and with 13 rides taken between Dayle Wood and Mickie Simpson at reserve there were some tired men and machines in the pits come the end of heat 15.

As is so often the case at the NSS the action. was tremendous almost from the get go. A re-run heat two battle between Simpson and Luke Muff a precursor of things to come.

Heat eight was another thriller Boughen battling to the front.

With the Academy 10 points down by this point the writing was somewhat on the wall and with no answer to the home top men the lead was stretched as the match progressed.

There were close battles in most heats but with the hosts more often than not it was not to be for the Academy who at least finished on a high as Boughen took the checkered flag in heat 15 with Clegg in 3rd to mean none of the home men could claim a maximum on the night.

The Academy will now look to bounce back with a home match against Berwick next up.

Belle Vue Colts 54: James Pearson 14, Matt Marson 6+1, Sam Hagon 10, Freddie Hodder 5+2, Jack Smith 11+1, Paul Bowen 2+1, Luke Muff 6+2

Stellar Monarchs Academy 36: Connor Coles 1, Mark Parker 0, Ashton Boughen 16, Max Clegg 9, Mickie Simpson 6+1, Dayle Wood 4+2