Heat by Heat Results - September 1965

Promoter Reg Fearman had always said he wanted to bring Long Eaton back to the Shay after the opening night defeat, to prove that the result was a one-off - and it was.  The much-improved Dukes easily defeated an admittedly injury hit Archers side with Halifax's own Bob Jameson a late replacement for Kid Bodie.  It was a solid all-round show from the Dukes, aided in part by further problems for Long Eaton - reserve Malskaitis looped at the start in heat 2, before suffering engine problems, whilst guest Guasco fell chasing in heat 11.  Dave Younghusband was denied his maximum in the final race with mechanical problems of his own.

With Eric Boocock in unbeatable form, the Dukes snatched another unlikely away win against a disappointing Monarchs side.  On a muddy track, Boocock kept the Dukes in the tie when further engine problems for Dave Younghusband threatened to let the hosts back in control.  But having sorted out the issues, Younghusband bounced back with 2 vital victories, including the heat 12 win to secure the points.  Boocock then secured his maximum in the final heat, before retaining the Silver Sash against Alf Wells.  All the Dukes were in the points, apart from Tommy Roper who pulled out after his third ride with illness.  The win moved Halifax back up to 5th in the league.

With the home league fixtures completed, it was challenge matches at the Shay until the end of the season.  Halifax easily saw off West Ham, who no doubt had one eye on the league title that they would win later that month.  The scores may have been closer but for engine problems encountered by Norman Hunter, but for once all the Dukes managed to stay free of mechanical issues and spills.  Tommy Roper sat out following his illness of the previous 24 hours, giving an outing for Bob Jameson in his place.  Once again, Boocock was in impeccable form, easing to a maximum, with solid support from the rest of the team.

Whereas West Ham were swept aside the previous Saturday, the visit of Coventry Bees proved a different proposition.  Both sides agreed to race despite persistent rain delayed the start until 8.20pm, but Halifax should have realised it was not going to be their night when Younghusband's bike stalled on the line in heat 1, and the Bees never looked back. With Nigel Boocock in impressive form, and brother Eric taking an uncharacteristic spill in heat 10, it was Bryan Elliott who carried the fight to the Bees, but the Dukes only had one heat advantage all night.  Dennis Gavros and Tommy Roper had nights to forget, with the latter suffering an expensive machine failure in heat 12.

The Dukes left Oxford feeling robbed by some controversial refereeing decisions which allowed the Cheetahs back into the tie. Dave Younghusband suffered mechanical issues in the pits before the start of the meeting and the Dukes slipped 10 points behind after 3 races.  But back-to-back 5-1s pulled the visitors back into the match, and with Boocock leading the way, Halifax lead by 2 points with 3 races remaining.  The main controversy was Pander being given way in excess of the 2 minute warning to get his bike started ahead of heat 12 - which he then won to set up the win for the hosts. Roper was then controversially excluded for unfair riding in the deciding heat, ending the Dukes' chances.  To cap a frustrating evening, Boocock finally relinquished the Silver Sash to Jimmy Gooch.

Halifax comfortably defeated an under-strength Wimbledon side, with Dukes riders Jameson and Day filling in for the visitors.  Tommy Roper and Dave Younghusband put their recent problems behind them to record fine paid maximums, this time it was Eric Boocock who suffered gremlins in heat 10.  Both Eric Boothroyd and Dennis Gavros recorded 2 wins each as the visitors struggled to stay in contention.  Top Swede Olle Nygren top scored for the Dons, but was on the receiving end of three 5-1 defeats as Halifax both started and finished strongly.

Originally postponed back in April, the Dukes travelled to Glasgow in search of more away league points - but once again were thwarted by the weather.  The Dukes slipped behind from heat 2, and were struggling in difficult conditions as the rain continued to fall.  As tactical substitute Younghusband won heat 8, the rain suddenly became heavier, and the referee called a halt to proceedings when it became apparent the situation was not going to improve.  As Halifax were looking at a heavy defeat, the decision probably favoured them more than the hosts - and everyone would have to try again a few weeks later...