Heat by Heat Results - April 1978

The Dukes quickly did the double over the Vikings with a comfortable 12 point win.  Mitch Graham's engine failure in heat 8 and Broadbelt's last place in the final race, with the match already won, were the only times a home rider failed to score, as the Dukes took advantage of Mauger's lack of back-up.  Chris Pusey top scored with paid 10 in a welcome return to form, and the fixture was noted for the first appearance of Pusey's American friend, the new Hull signing Kelly Moran - but he failed to score.

Wolverhampton took both league points from the Shay 12 months earlier, but this time there was to be no repeat, as Halifax destroyed the Wolves in no uncertain terms.  The Lohmann brothers formed a useful pairing, with Mike unbeaten, whilst Ian Cartwright dropped only a point, and Mitch Graham got a reserves maximum, with the returning McKeon also in the points.  The Wolves were dependent on new signing Dave Morton, with the rest of the team contributing a paltry 11 points between them, as the Dukes brushed their opponents aside.

The Dukes were now on a march, and comfortably disposed of the Lions in a one-sided contest.  Broadbelt and Mike Lohmann both scored 11 points, beaten only by John Boulger, whilst Mitch Graham was again unbeaten from reserve.  Only Chris Pusey, having engine difficulties, failed to get in the points.  The Leicester cause was not aided by Teromaa failing to arrive, and as they were short at reserve, the Dukes loaned them Tom Godal for the night...

Halifax maintained their fine run with a thrashing of a disappointing Swindon side.  Mitch Graham was unbeaten once again, whilst Eric Broadbelt and Ian Cartwright had double figure scores.  Mick McKeon was a late withdrawal, after suffering from a stomach bug, and the Dukes handed a debut to youngster Kenny Carter, who defeated David Ashby twice for a couple of points.  The Lohmann partnership was again fruitful, as the Dukes hit the 50 point mark for the third consecutive home match.

Although they ultimately lost, the Dukes gave the Aces a real fright, eventually going down to a 10 point defeat.  Mitch Graham continued his fine form, and his 5-1 with the returning McKeon in heat 2 put the Dukes into a 6 point lead.  But with Pusey and Broadbelt having mechanical issues, Halifax could not keep the pressure on, and the Aces edged into a lead courtesy of Collins and Wilkinson, with Morton's win on heat 12 finally sealing the win for Belle Vue.

The 1977 Dukes lost on all four occasions to the Racers - so Halifax were prepared for a real battle - but blew the Racers away in a complete demolition.  Mike Lohmann was unbeaten, with support from the other Dukes, whilst only Dave Jessup offered any threat for the visitors, for whom John Davis had a night of mechanical problems after winning his first race.  The meeting was marred however by a frightening second bend crash in the final race involving Eric Broadbelt and Bernie Leigh, with both fortunate to walk away relatively unscathed.