Heat by Heat Results - May 1973

Halifax stormed into May with a stunning victory on the road at King's Lynn - their first ever win in Norfolk.  The scores were locked after 10 races, with never more than 2 points between the sides all night, but 3 successive 4-2 advantages swung the tie in the Dukes' favour, with Boocock, Titman, Monk and Andrew proving too strong for the Stars.  Home number one Terry Betts had an off-night, winning only one race, as Halifax took full advantage.

John Titman continued his week to remember with victory in his home round of the Northern Riders Championship.  Having won the round at Coatbridge earlier in the week, and then helping the Dukes win in Norfolk 24 hours earlier, Titman produced a dominant display, with his defeat of Boocock in heat 11 proving decisive.  Boocock himself had lost out to Bob Valentine in his second outing and had to settle for second place, ahead of Beaton in third.  Seven Dukes got valuable track time with Jackson replacing the injured Sharpe, and Hansen a late replacement for Coatbridge's absent new rider Egon Muller. 

The Dukes' rich vein of form continued with an impressive draw at Sheffield, to further boost their league credentials.  Eric Boocock recovered well after stopping in heat one to record four wins, and with Charlie Monk having his best meeting of the season so far, and Titman in the points again, Halifax were competitive.  They could have won the meeting, and would look to mechanical issues for Andrew and Hansen for the ultimate failure to get over the line.  Mike Hiftle so nearly proved the hero, tracking Reg Wilson in the final heat, but just missing out by half a bike length as Wilson hung on to save a point.

Halifax sent out a message with a defeat of early league leaders Leicester, which sent the Dukes up to third place in the table.  Halifax led throughout, but the class of Wilson and Boulger kept the Lions in contention, and the nerves were jangling when the visitors clawed the gap back to 2 points in heat 7.  But Eric Boocock guarded Mike Hiftle around for a vital 5-1 in heat 11 to take the tie away from the Lions.  Although Wilson and Boulger combined to reduce the deficit again, Boocock repeated the feat with Bill Andrew to secure his maximum and the victory. 

The Knock-out Cup changed to 2-legged ties from the start of 1973, and Halifax started their campaign away at Wimbledon, coming away with an impressive 4 point win, as they continued their good run.  A lack of heat winners cost the Dons, as Dukes riders took the flag in 10 of the 13 races.  Boocock and Monk registered double figures, but Hiftle was the star of the show, scoring vital wins in heats 8 and 10 to edge Halifax into the lead for the first time.  Hiftle deputised for Bill Andrew in the final race, Andrew having withdrawn from the meeting after an awkward fall in heat 7, as Boocock secured the win, defeating the promising Jansson.

The annual Halifax round of the World Championship qualifiers was won by Leicester's John Boulger, who showed his liking for the Shay track with a stunning 15 point maximum.  Heat one proved to be the decisive race, with Boulger defeating home stars Boocock and Andrew, who subsequently piled up the points to finish second and third.  John Titman continued his recent run with 10 points, although he ran two third places mid-meeting in tough races.

Halifax moved into second place in the league with a last-heat win over Exeter.  The Falcons, including new signing Mauger, threatened a shock, but a superb 5-1 from Boocock and Titman in heat 10 finally edged the Dukes in front.  Rather than Mauger however, it was Tony Lomas who nearly got his side the win with three wins in the last five heats.  Both Sampson and replacement Graham were excluded for tapes offences in the final race as they sought to jump out of the start - ultimately Titman and Monk were able to secure the minor places and the overall victory.

Halifax saw out May with a Bank Holiday Monday morning defeat of Cradley, which saw them close the gap to Leicester to 3 points.  The Dukes victory was founded on heat victories, with only heats 2 and 3 going the way of the visitors.  Boocock was unbeaten, with Titman, Hiftle and Andrew all in the points.  Halifax welcomed back Les Sharpe after his leg injury, and despite being rusty, he managed a win of his own in heat 8 as the Dukes fielded their first choice 1-7 for the first time in the season.