Heat by Heat Results - September 1979

Facing a fixture pile-up, the Dukes moved quickly into September with a complete mauling of hapless Hackney. With the Hawks' Finn Thomsen and Zenon Plech away for the World Final in Poland the following day, Hackney drafted in Craig Pendlebury to guest, and used rider replacement for Plech - but Pendlebury was powerless to stop the Dukes, who raced to their biggest win of the season. Paul Sheard, in for the injured Janke, and with Wilcock riding for Middlesbrough, was the only Duke to not score at least paid 8 points, as Halifax ran in seven 5-1s and three 4-2s. Mike Lohmann looked back to his best with a paid maximum, but Bo Petersen aside, the opposition was so poor it was difficult to read much into the score.

The Dukes threw away another chance for an away win as they folded in the second half of the match at Hull. Despite a shaky start, Halifax led by 3 points after 7 races, taking advantage of two Moran falls, an exclusion for unfair riding on Beaton, and mechanical problems for Mauger. But a Sigalos/Drury 5-1 in heat 8 turned the tide, and although Cartwright tried to keep the Dukes in contention, he received little support. With Mike Lohmann failing to score in 2 rides, and having a tapes exclusion, plus McKeon and Langli struggling, the Dukes fell short as the Vikings eased away - Joe Owen completing his maximum in the final race.

After the previous heavy defeat of a depleted Reading side in the cup, a Dukes' win was never really in doubt, although the Racers looked more capable this time around, despite the absence of John Davis, injured earlier in the week. The visitors grabbed an early lead when Lohmann packed up whilst leading heat 1, and it took Halifax until heat 7 to get level. From heat 8 onwards, Halifax took control, with Cartwright storming to a 12 point maximum, and Kenny Carter weighing in with another 2 heat wins, after a tumble first time out. Veteran Terry Betts, and promising Swede Jan Andersson did much to make a match of it for the visitors.

The Dukes edged home against a spirited Eagles side operating rider replacement for the stricken Steve Weatherley. And it was a 2-man show from the visitors, as Kennett and Niemi rattled off 9 wins in the 13 heats, to score all but 5 of the Eagles' points! The Dukes were content to mostly fill the minor places, after the reserves took them into the lead. 4-2s in heats 10 and 11 proved crucial, as Halifax stretched into an 8 point lead, with Eastbourne having little left. Tormod Langli was left shaken after a heavy crash with Carter in heat 9, and was unable to continue in the meeting.

Signs of discontent in the Dukes' camp were now starting to show - as Halifax were torn apart at Birmingham. With Langli shaken up from his crash against Eastbourne, the remaining 7 Dukes made up the side - but save for some fight by Carter and Cartwright, there was little else to cheer. Klaus Lohmann, promoted into the team, withdrew after one pointless ride, and his replacements failed to beat an opponent. Carter's lone Dukes win in heat 13 ended the maximum hopes of Herne - but Bastable, Koponen, and a resurgent Ray Wilson were all unbeaten by a Duke all night.

The Dukes were read the riot act after their capitulation at Birmingham - and responded in the best way with a comfortable win over Sheffield. Star of the show was a forceful Carter, who made his 4th maximum of the season in determined style. Ian Cartwright was denied his own full-house by Reg Wilson in heat 4, and it was Wilson who was largely responsible for stopping things getting out of hand. But after 3 wins, even Wilson was headed by Carter in his final 2 outings. Langli returned after a week out, and was solid for his 6 and 2 bonus points. But former Dukes favourite Henny Kroeze failed to score for the Tigers.

Skipper Ian Cartwright took the honours in the Shaytona Knockout Trophy meeting, taking full advantage of the race format to steal the prize. Pointless after 2 outings, he rallied to score 7 points and qualify for the semi finals, with a struggling Langli, and Craig Pendlebury dropping out. Cartwright then headed Prinsloo and home stars Janke and McKeon to reach the final. Top scorer Reg Wilson - carrying on from his efforts the previous week - looked favourite for the title - but Cartwright headed the Sheffield captain, Kenny Carter and Steve Bastable to take the win.