Heat by Heat Results - October 1977

Halifax got the better of a Midland Select side in a late season challenge match.  Guest Reg Wilson top scored with a solid 9 points, with Cartwright, McKeon and Godal all in the points, whilst the Dukes gave a senior debut to junior Les Race.  Leicester's Ila Teromaa continued his recent good run of scores at the Shay with a 15 point maximum, whilst Geoff Pusey filled in at reserve for the visitors.

The Dukes made a quick return to Monmore Green, and were well beaten by the Wolves, despite the best efforts of the superb Mike Lohmann.  Halifax kept it close in the early heats, with McKeon and Plant levelling the scores with a 5-1 in heat 3, but the match quickly got away from the Dukes thereafter.  Both McKeon and Plant faded after the bright start, whilst no other Duke managed to defeat a home rider.  Old foe Soren Sjosten scored a maximum from reserve for the Wolves, which would prove to be the final one of his career.

The final league action for the Dukes in a pitiful 1977 season saw yet another sorry home defeat to Reading.  The Racers had dumped the Dukes out of the cup earlier in the season, and continued their dominance over Halifax, never letting the hosts take the lead.  Chris Pusey made a return but looked short of fitness, whilst Plant, Godal and Cartwright all struggled, the latter plagued with mechanical issues.  The margin of defeat would have been greater - Davis was excluded whilst leading heat 6 after his silencer came away, gifting Halifax their only 5-1 of the night. Another guest appearance by Mitch Graham kept the Dukes in contention, but the last heat 5-1 for the Racers just about summed the season up.

Some consolation was earned as Halifax defended their 12 point first leg lead from July to take the Yorkshire Cup, despite an incredible 6-ride paid maximum from ex-Duke Drury.  Mike Lohmann and Cartwright were always in the thick of the action, with the latter linking up with Lohmann and Chris Pusey for two late 5-1s, which proved vital.  Graham Plant again failed to beat an opponent, whilst Tom Godal was also still finding points hard to come by, as the Dukes management started to look at their options for 1978.

Halifax took full advantage of a rare off-night for Ivan Mauger to defeat the Falcons in an end-of-season challenge.  The Dukes were grateful for a fast start as they jumped into an early 10 point lead, as ex-Duke Titman, Prinsloo, and Mauger, finally over his issues, dragged Exeter back into contention, setting up a final race decider.  Cartwright and Godal joined forces to ensure a 3-3 to preserve the Dukes slim advantage.  

The final action of the year saw the Dukes lose the Northern Fours to Sheffield, blowing their chance of victory in the final race.  Pusey and Lohmann knew that a 4-2 against the Belle Vue pairing would guarantee the win for Halifax, and must have fancied their chances against Praestbro who had scored only one point up until then.  But Praestbro made the gate, and Chris Morton, in typical fashion, team-rode his partner to the win, leaving Pusey and Lohmann unable to do anything.  The Tigers stole the win, with Wyer and Wilson both impressing again with 10 points each.