Heat by Heat Results - September 1975

A fully-fit Dukes had lost by 8 points at Exeter in July, so this result seemed miraculous.  Already without Rick France and Dave Gatenby, Halifax were hit by the non-arrival of Charlie Monk, stuck in traffic on the way, due to a road accident.  With no extra rider, the Dukes had to include Exeter junior Terry Casserley, who managed a second place in the reserve race.  Pusey, Plant and Kroeze got stuck into the task in hand, and took the match to a last-heat decider, which in true 1975 Dukes-style, they lost, with ex-Duke Titman leading Cartwright home to take the win.  The bad news was another tumble for Graham Plant in the second half of the meeting...

Following the Dukes' popular visit to Sussex earlier in the season, Halifax were invited back to participate in a 4-Team Tournament against the Eagles plus Oxford and Leicester.  But with their injury issues, Halifax were represented by only Ian Cartwright and Henny Kroeze, using Eastbourne riders to make up the numbers.  Predicatbly, the Dukes were uncompetitive and could only muster 13 points all afternoon.

Whilst the Dukes welcomed back skipper Rick France, he was replaced on the sidelines by Graham Plant after his Exeter crash.  Halifax fell to a 16 point defeat against an increasingly-powerful Cradley side, with Boulger, Persson and Cribb in control.  The Dukes were reliant on the efforts of Pusey and Kroeze, with Rick France and Charlie Monk off the pace, and Mike Hiftle having a mechanical nightmare.  Steve Finch got an exceptional win in heat 8, as Halifax closed to within 6 points, but that was as near as they could get, with Persson winning 3 of the last 5 races.

In a welcome break from league action, Halifax took on Hull in the Yorkshire Cup, and gained a 12 point lead to take into the second leg.  Graham Plant returned to the side with 2 wins in the middle of mechanical problems, whilst all of the remaining top five all got stuck in.  The Vikings were reliant on Beaton and Graham, with Jimmy McMillan having one of his worst Shay performances ever, whilst ex-Duke Drury failed to make much of an impression for the Vikings at reserve.

Halifax defended their Yorkshire Cup, with a draw at the Boulevard, leaving unbeaten in three appearances on Humberside during 1975.  Henny Kroeze was the star of the night, with an impresive 11 points, with support from Plant, Monk and Cartwright.  Kroeze came in for the struggling France in the decider, and teamed up with Monk to get the 4-2 to draw the match.  

The Dukes booked their place in the inaugural Inter-League Cup final with a comprehensive win over the Rebels, with Charlie Monk back to form after some indifferent recent performances with a maximum.  Henny Kroeze scored 3 wins from 3 races, but was not needed to take further outings, as the Dukes made sure of the win.  Only Norwegian star Dag Lovaas stood between Halifax and a massive score, as the Dukes could now look forward to a 2-legged final.

The Dukes' other semi final, this time in the Knock-out Cup against Leicester didn't go quite as smoothly.  With Jessup and Wilson in unbeatable mood, Halifax were always looking at damage limitation, and despite letting an early lead slip, must have been pleased with the scores level after 7 heats.  But then it turned sour, with a 3-3 from France and Cartwright in heat 11 the only positive from the last 6 races, as the Lions gave themselves every chance of reaching the final...

Hopes of a second cup final appearance were washed away in the wet at the Shay, as Leicester defended their first leg lead, and with conditions deteriorating, rubbed salt into the wound by winning the final race to snatch victory on the night.  Dave Jessup showed scant regard to the conditions, rattling up 10 out of 10 across the 2 legs, and with Wilson and Teromaa also in the points, the Dukes were up against it from the start.  Kroeze and Pusey gave the supporters fleeting hope in heat 4 as they stretched the lead to 6 points, but a 5-1 reverse in the next heat took the wind out of their sails.  Needing to claw back 16 points, the Dukes could only lead by 7 at best, before Teromaa's win in heat 10 ended the contest.