Heat by Heat Results - July 1973

Sweden proved a different standard of opposition to the Soviets as they thrashed Poland in Halifax's second International Tournament meeting.  With several of the Swedes used to the Shay, it was no surprise that Sjosten, Michanek and Persson went unbeaten, as they moved on towards the semi-finals.

The televised final between England and Sweden ended in a draw, with Peter Collins defeating Michanek in a run-off to give the trophy to England.

The Dukes returned to action with a reality check, as they were destroyed by a ruthless Bees side.  With Eric Boocock riding for England in the Wembley final against Sweden, it was down to guest George Hunter to head the Dukes' challenge, but he failed to win a race.  Halifax's only success of the night was a 4-2 for Andrew and Hiftle in heat 8 - otherwise they capitulated to concede nine 5-1s to the Bees, as their title credentials took a serious beating.  The defeat dropped the Dukes down to third in the league behind new leaders Belle Vue and Wolverhampton, although Wolves had ridden 5 more matches.

The Dukes attempted to complete their Northern Trophy campaign by staging a double header on a Monday night - but the poor July weather had other ideas.  Halifax were heading for defeat on a soaked track, and when the rain became torrential, the referee had no choice but to call a halt, much to the displeasure of the Tigers, for whom Wilson, Wyer and Haley had shown a liking for the conditions.  The second meeting with Belle Vue was also postponed, leaving a fixture dilemma hanging over the Dukes with limited opportunity to fit in a re-staging date.

The Dukes' reward for comfortably seeing off Wimbledon in the Cup was a tie in the quarter finals against rivals Belle Vue.  And on a wet track in Manchester, Halifax's hopes of cup success were well and truly wrecked with another away capitulation.  The Dukes failed to provide a heat winner, as the Aces dealt them 11 heat defeats, with the Collins/Wilkinson partnership unstoppable, and Sjosten, Tyrer and Broadbelt all outscoring their opponents.  Even skipper Boocock was powerless to prevent the onslaught, although in the one bright spot of the evening, he defended his Golden Helmet against Sjosten.

Halifax finally completed a home league fixture - their first in 6 weeks - by defeating the up and coming Reading side, who had edged above them in the league.  Eric Boocock dropped his only points in heat 6 after missing the start, whilst Mike Hiftle continued his fine home form from reserve.  John Titman was lucky to escape unscathed after a heavy fall in the final race, albeit with the result already confirmed following Boocock and Hiftle's 5-1 in heat 12.  The win lifted Halifax back above Reading into 5th place, although the Racers had matches in hand in all the teams above them... Eric Boocock retained the Golden Helmet after the match by defeating Michanek, and the Dukes were hoping both Boocock and the rest of the riders could now push on as they faced a busy August.