Heat by Heat Results - March 1969
The start of the 1969 Speedway season saw the advent of the "traditional" 13 heat formula with teams fielding 2 reserves, who would compete in the "reserve" race in heat 2, the top 5 riders all being programmed for 4 races, with the reserves scheduled for 3 but having to take a minimum of 2 rides. Halifax got an early chance to test out the new format with the now traditional opening night trip to Wiltshire...
The 1969 Dukes got their season underway with defeat at Swindon, but this was a case of what might have been. Greg Kentwell was plagued by mechanical issues, taking only 2 rides, and Les Sharpe was ruled out after a heat 3 crash. Added to Alan Jay's tape exclusion in the reserve race, the Dukes were short-handed. Pander took four outings at reserve as a result, but failed to beat an opponent. It was left to Boocock and Younghusband to carry the fight, with useful contributions from Jay and Gavros, but despite closing the deficit to 3 points in heat 7, subsequent 5-1 reverses in heats 8 and 9 condemned Halifax to defeat. One bright spot however was Boocock's defeat of Briggs in the Silver Sash match-race after the end of the match.
Notes: Yellow box/number indicates home match/programme number. Score highlighted in Gold indicates full maximum. Score highlighted in Silver indicates a paid maximum.