Heat by Heat Results - May 1974

Halifax staged it's annual World Championship qualifier, with a diluted field ultimately headed by skipper Eric Boocock.  The Dukes number one was beaten by Rick France in heat 6, as France rattled off 4 straight wins, but he missed the start in the final race, when a win would have seen him score a maximum.  France had to settle for third place behind the surprise Kevin Holden.  Several non-arrivals gave valuable track time to Dukes assets Drury, Newton and Finch, with Graham Plant and Charlie Monk also getting some much needed practice. 

Halifax went agonisingly close to a win in Dorset, but were left to consider what might have been - and to see another rider onto the injury list.  Graham Plant broke a collar bone in a nasty crash in heat 3, which ruled him out of the meeting - and no doubt cost the Dukes the win.  Charlie Monk, Rick France and Eric Boocock all accumulated points as Halifax stayed in touch, but needing a 5-1 to salvage a draw, Monk and Boocock had no answer to the fast-starting Broadbelt in the last race.

In a break from league action, the Shay staged a best-pairs meeting, giving the opportunity for some of the lesser-lights of the Dukes squad to get involved.  The intended pairing of Plant and Monk was changed as Plant was out injured, and Monk broke down en-route.  Mike Hiftle made a welcome return from injury and Rick France scored a superb 18-point maximum.  But ultimately it was Wolves' George Hunter and Dukes' number 8 Graham Drury who took the spoils, 4 points ahead of the Boocock/Kroeze pairing.

The Dukes' Cup campaign was over almost as quickly as it began, as they slumped to a disappointing 8 point loss at home to the Aces.  The use of Rider Replacement for the injured Graham Plant could be identified as a major reason, as his rides contributed a mere 3 points.  Rick France and Eric Boocock managed the Dukes' only four heat wins, as the strength of Belle Vue's top order saw them home, with a 5-1 from Collins and Sjosten in heat 12 sealing the win.

Halifax went down to a fighting 4 point defeat at Oxford, despite a stunning paid 17 points from Boocock.  It was the tail end of the Dukes team which cost them the win, with Kroeze, Hiftle and Gatenby contributing only 3 points.  Rick France racked up 11 points despite not winning a race, whilst Charlie Monk blew hot and cold, winning 2 races, but also running 2 lasts.  Halifax would have felt they had a chance after 8 heats, but a 5-1 from Greer and Kennett took the match out of reach.

The Dukes returned to winning ways with a thrashing of a disappointing Wimbledon, for whom former World Champion Briggs failed to win a race.  Rick France continued his good run of form with a 15 point maximum, with Boocock also unbeaten after a third place in heat 1.  Guest Phil Crump, in for Kroeze on World Championship duty in Yugoslavia, was excellent value, beaten only by Stapleton for the Dons only heat win of the night.

Already 8 points down from the first leg, Halifax travelled to Belle Vue for the inevitable defeat.  Eric Boocock teamed up with Dave Gatenby in heat 8 for the Dukes' only heat win and advantage of the night, as Pusey, Sjosten and Collins all scored maximums for the Aces, with young reserve Chris Morton impressing with 3 wins himself.  Reserves Hiftle and Gatenby kept trying to stem the flow, but Rick France had a night to forget, as the Dukes could now concentrate on the league...

A straightforward victory over Hackney saw the Dukes climb to 3rd place in the league.  Graham Plant returned to action, and top scored with 3 wins in his 10 point tally.  All the Dukes chipped in, with Monk and France particularly impressive, and with Hiftle and Gatenby winning the reserve race to send Halifax clear early on.  The Hawks were dependent on Thomas and guest Bob Valentine to keep them in the hunt, although their late match heat wins were too late to save them from defeat.

A Bank Holiday Monday victory over Cradley saw the Dukes head the British League table for the first time in several seasons.  Nobody had any answer to the brilliant John Boulger who scored an 18 point maximum, but with both Dave Perks and ex-Duke Dave Younghusband failing to appear, the visitors had to utilise the services of Dukes juniors Newton and Cusworth, who both failed to score.  Halifax were content to take advantage of Boulger-less heats with the visitors struggling for options, with only Kroeze and Hiftle struggling for points.