Heat by Heat Results - May 1965

The first "classic" meeting of many to come at The Shay saw the Dukes snatch victory from Coventry in a last-heat decider, after coming from 8 points behind.  English number one Nigel Boocock took 2 seconds off the track record in heat one, and set the tone as the Bees ran riot in the opening races. Despite closing the gap, the Dukes were still 6 points adrift after heat 9, but a 5-1 from Eric Boocock and Younghusband reduced the arrears to 2.  The two Erics then produced the ride of the night to relegate Nigel Boocock, previously unbeaten, into 3rd in heat 12 to take the lead for the first time.  And Younghusband and Elliott took the minor places in the decider to seal the win.  Elliott suffered a costly engine failure whilst leading heat 3, but his 3rd place in the final race proved crucial.

The Dukes' first experience of the Knock-out cup ended with a narrow defeat at Long Eaton in the first round.  Despite the best efforts of Boocock and Younghusband, Halifax struggled from the moment Bryan Elliott blew his engine in heat 2, forcing him out of the match.  A mid-meeting comeback saw Halifax reduce the deficit to a mere 4 points, but forced to track young Aussies Kingston and Gavros in heat 15, the tie slipped away.  Ray Cresp was unbeaten for the Archers, and the class of the top home riders proved the difference.

Halifax saw off a spirited challenge from Sheffield to secure 2 more league points at The Shay.  Eric Boocock was unbeaten by a Tiger as the Dukes' heat leaders proved dominant.  Boocock was never troubled all evening, apart from a tight battle with Billy Bales in heat 11, with the Dukes' number 1 winning by a wheel.  Bryan Elliott was back in the points, although Clive Hitch was still struggling to get to grips with the Shay banking. Sheffield were always in the meeting, with the tie still in the balance going into the final race, but both Tigers fell, leaving the Erics to coast to a match-clinching 5-0.

On a slick and dusty track, the Dukes were heavily beaten on the road at Newcastle.  Boocock and Younghusband were the mainstays of the Halifax effort as the bottom 4 riders contributed a mere 2 points between them.  Home riders Brett and Kelly were never headed by a Duke all night, and the match was over as early as heat 9.  Boocock combined with Younghusband and Boothroyd for the Dukes' only heat advantages, but Halifax were otherwise on the receiving end of 9 heat defeats, with Elliott, Hitch, Gavros and Kingston failing to beat a Diamond all night.

World Champion Barry Briggs was in unbeatable form as the Dukes were held to a draw by Swindon.  Halifax were ahead after heat 4, and lead the Robins by 6 with only 4 races to go - and when Boocock headed Briggs into the final lap of a fascinating heat 10, it looked as if the Dukes were going to hang on for a famous win.  But Boocock made a mistake allowing Briggs through to cut the gap, and when the pair met again in heat 12, Boocock fell allowing Briggs and Ashby to draw level.  In the decider, Broadbank gated and Boothroyd and Younghusband were unable to get past for the win.

The Dukes travelled to Cowdenbeath to take part in an unofficial challenge match against Fife Lions, and came away 40-38 winners.  Boothroyd and Hitch did not travel, so Halifax included Ray Day and Bob Jameson, and the pair contributed to a good all-round performance, with only Elliott struggling.  Boocock set a new track record in heat one, equalled by Scott the next race, and it was Scott who denied Boocock a maximum in heat 12.  Dennis Gavros followed up his 8 points against Swindon with 7 and 2 bonus, a last place in heat 6 being his only dropped points.

Mechanical problems hampered the Dukes on their travels to London, as Hackney took full advantage to take the points.  Four Halifax riders suffered stoppages, as Hackney cruised to a comfortable win, the tactical substitution by Younghusband in heat 10 being the final breakdown.  Boocock won 2 heats, the only successes for Halifax all night and with Hitch and Kingston both failing to score, the Dukes were soundly beaten.  Jackson registered a comfortable maximum for the Hawks, with Colin Pratt only dropping 2 points in his final ride.

Halifax threw away an 8 point lead to draw at home to Glasgow, their second home draw in a row.  A dry and dusty track took away the Dukes' home advantage, who were also hampered by Gavros looping at the start of heat 3, and another costly engine failure for Hitch a race later.  Heat 7 proved to be a classic, with Younghusband and Monk inches apart,  before Monk tried a lunge up the inside on the pits bend and came to grief - his only dropped points of the meeting.  Halifax could only muster 7 heat winners all night, as the Tigers won 4 of the last 5 races to snatch a draw.

Halifax finally got back to winning ways with a thrilling last heat decider over a very strong West Ham side, containing world stars McKinlay and Harrfeldt.  The Dukes were grateful for a lightning start, as they rocked the Hammers by jumping 12 points ahead after only 4 races.  But heat 5 saw neither Duke get home, as the Hammers started a gradual fightback.  Harrfeldt and Hunter inflicted a 5-1 over Younghusband in heat 12 to reduce the deficit to just a point - but although McKinlay was able to complete his maximum in the decider, the Erics combined to shut out Trott and clinch the win.  It was another frustrating night for Hitch, and Gavros was forced to withdraw from the meeting following his tumble in heat 5.

The Dukes came so close to registering their first away points in a close meeting at Exeter at the end of May.  Despite missing the injured Gavros, and replacement Jameson failing to score, there was nothing between the teams all match, until a 5-1 in heat 10 looked to have sealed the match for the Falcons.  But 2 Boocock-inspired 4-2 wins edged Halifax back to within 2 points and a last heat decider.  But with Kingston getting the final ride, Geran and Squibb allowed Younghusband to disappear for the win, and take the minor places to clinch the match.  It was a frustrating night for Eric Boothroyd, the skipper failing to beat an opponent on track after his opening race.