Heat by Heat Results - October 1971

Halifax entered the final month of the season with another defeat on the road, this time at Wolverhampton.  New World Champion Olsen was in dominant form, and the Dukes were once again totally reliant on Eric Boocock to prevent a crushing defeat.  Olsen inflicted Boocock's only two defeats, whilst Paul O'Neal managed two heat wins. But with Kentwell still affected with his shoulder injury, and Hiftle struggling with the Wolves track, Halifax had no answer to the hosts solid scoring.

The Autumn Classic became known more about who wasn't present than who was.  World Champion Ole Olsen and Tommy Roper withdrew earlier in the week, and with Younghusband still injured, the field was further diminished when Edgar Stangeland failed to arrive.  On the track, Eric Boocock proved himself a worthy favourite by taking the trophy, with Ray Wilson winning a run-off with George Hunter for second place (65.6).  Greg Kentwell replaced the missing Stangeland, and finished well with 2 wins to come 4th overall.

The Dukes' final away trip of the season saw them completely humiliated at Leicester, with the Lions inflicting 5 straight 5-1s to start the match.  The match was over as early as heat 7, as away from the usual effort from Boocock, the rest went missing.  Mackay took a second place in heat 11, and Kentwell's third place a race later were the only times a Duke, other than Boocock, beat a home rider all night.  The defeat ensured Halifax would end the season without an away win, the first time they had failed to win at least once on their travels.  Ray Wilson defended his Golden Helmet against Eric Boocock to end the meeting.

The final action of 1971 at the Shay saw Halifax sign off with a welcome victory over Reading.  Greg Kentwell finally looked back to his best, whilst Boocock dropped his only point to Michanek in heat one.  It was one of the most convincing performances by the Dukes all season, with everyone contributing, and leaving the spectators to watch the end of season fireworks wondering what might have been.  Halifax finished 14th in the league, their lowest position since joining the British League in 1965.