Heat by Heat Results - July 1974

Eric Boocock returned to action in sensational style, taking over a second off the Shay track record, as the Dukes hung on to defeat Leicester.  Boocock's 14 points, along with a plucky 10 from Plant helped Halifax overcome the Lions, who were not helped by the non-arrival of Ballard and Auffret, with Steve Finch and Adny Cusworth standing in.  John Jackson, appearing for the first time since April, formed a powerful reserve pairing with Kroeze to offset a night of mechanical woes for Charlie Monk.  The victory lifted the Dukes back up to third in the table, but having ridden more fixtures than their rivals.

Halifax went down by 10 points at Brandon as they lost further ground in the title chase.  Their cause was not helped by the non-arrival of Charlie Monk, due to a lack of competitive machinery, and Boocock and Plant lacked the back-up to sustain a challenge.  The Dukes welcomed back Rick France after a month out, but clearly rusty, he was unable to contribute much, and with Plant and Gatenby in particular having mechanical issues, the Dukes were always up against it.  But all eyes were on the Shay for the events of the following afternoon...

With Rick France and Dave Gatenby out injured, the Dukes hopes of anything positive from Wimbledon were already slim, before Charlie Monk crashed out in heat four, sustaining what appeared to be a serious injury to his right ankle.  Wimbledon piled on the pressure, with the remaining Dukes having no answer, with even Eric Boocock failing to win a race until the final heat.  Rider replacement rides for France netted a paltry 2 points as the Dukes were swept aside in a one-sided contest.

With injuries mounting up, a test match at the Shay was a welcome break from team action.  England defeated Poland comfortably to go 6-0 up in the series - they would eventually complete the whitewash.  Graham Plant was the only Dukes interest, stepping in for Boocock who had decided to rest his arm.  The class of Reg Wilson, Ray Wilson, Doug Wyer and John Louis was far too much for the Poles, save for the world-class Jancarz, although Plech had a disappointing night.

Sheffield's Bob Valentine won the Halifax Northern Riders Championship round from team-mate Reg Wilson and Dukes' skipper Eric Boocock after all three met in heat 19.  The Shay held it's breath as Boocock crashed heavily, but he was able to get up unaided as the race was won by Wilson - but Valentine's second place was enough to earn him the win.  France, Monk and Gatenby were all still absent injured.