Heat by Heat Results - July 1970

The Dukes started July by dipping out of the Knock-out Cup at the quarter final stage, beaten again by Sheffield.  The hosts had Airey and Haley to thank for their narrow win, as Boocock, Kentwell and Sharpe had edged Halifax into a position to secure an unlikely win.  But four heat advantages in the last six heats saw the Tigers over the line.  Halifax going 6 points up after heat 7 may have been the turning point, as the Tigers were able to use Airey in heat 8, and that started the run.  Arnie Haley then defeated Boocock in the Golden Helmet after the conclusion of the match.

In a break from league action, Halifax were proud to stage the second test match between Great Britain and Sweden, with the hosts soundly beaten by a solid Sweden side.  Star of the show was Anders Michanek, who showed his liking for the Shay track by rattling up 17 points, breaking the track record in heat 1, and then equaling the new time in heat 10.  For GB, Dukes Sharpe and Boocock had nights to forget, although apart from Briggs, none of the Brits were able to compete.  It turned out to be Sweden's only victory in the series.

The Dukes returned to league action and winning ways with a comprehensive win over Exeter.  With Boocock getting another maximum, it was a solid all-round performance, with everyone in the points, including the returning Younghusband.  The Falcons were largely reliant upon Martin Ashby, who went unbeaten after losing to Boocock in heat 1, and scored over half his team's points.  The only blot on the night was a harsh tapes exclusion for Kentwell in heat 11.  He was replaced by Lee who subsequently fell.

News was filtering through to the UK concerning the road crash in Belgium involving members of the West Ham team, as the Dukes travelled across to Manchester for the somewhat inevitable defeat to the Aces.  For once, the top Aces didn't quite have it all their own way, as Younghusband inflicted a rare defeat on Mauger, and Boocock dented Roper's maximum in heat 11, but Belle Vue had more depth to make the victory comfortable.  Neither McKee nor Lee beat a home rider, and Kentwell and Sharpe were both out of sorts.

Riders, officials and supporters gathered at Brandon to remember those lost in the Lokeren disaster.  On the track, the Dukes snatched an unlikely draw... or had they?  The Bees protested over the machinery used by Sharpe in heat 10, and their appeal was initially upheld, demoting Sharpe to last place, and giving the Bees a 2 point win.  Halifax had thrown away a 12 point lead after only 5 races as the Bees recovered from a slow start, and were ultimately fortunate that France slipped off in the deciding race.

Les Sharpe once again failed to arrive for the Dukes as they made the trip to Newport.  With no facility to cover his absence, Halifax were forced to use Newport junior Ian Terrar in the team, and can only assume that a present and firing Sharpe would have seen them take another away win.  As it was, the Dukes ran out of steam again in the latter stages, with a heat 8 tapes exclusion for Kentwell not helping matters.  Alan Jay started well with 2 wins, and Colin McKee chipped in with useful points from reserve.

As evening approached, the Dukes readied for the home tie against King's Lynn - with still no Les Sharpe to be seen.  Junior Malcom Mackay was promoted into the team, however the remaining Dukes made light work of the Stars to record a straight-forward 14 point win.  Terry Lee had one of his best nights so far at reserve to support the contributions from Younghusband and Jay.  Boocock scored his expected maximum, and then relieved Howard Cole of the Golden Helmet title immediately after the end of the match.

With Sharpe gone, and Colin McKee unavailable, Halifax slipped to a narrow defeat at Oxford.  It was largely down to the efforts of Boocock and Younghusband, who were both only headed once, but a lack of support from the rest lost the tie.  Guest Graham Plant worked hard for his 5 points, but was shut out in the decider, whilst Mackay at reserve was never likely to score the points McKee would have done.  At least Boocock had the satisfaction of retaining the Golden Helmet by defeating Pete Jarman.