Heat by Heat Results - June 1981

The Dukes entered June with a comfortable home win against Poole Pirates. With solid scoring from the top 5, the result was never in doubt, although the Pirates led narrowly early on. Carter took another full-house, and Pendlebury (back to form) and Louis only dropped 1 point to an opponent. For the Pirates, Autrey and Prinsloo at reserve kept the visitors in the reckoning, and Smith started well, although faded as the match wore on. Westwell took a tumble in the reserve race and took no further part, although Baker was back in the points and looked more competitive.

With Craig Pendlebury missing with a fractured coccyx, Aussie youngster Rob Ashton was called up to fill the gap as the Dukes travelled to Ipswich. The effects of the Holland trip were clear, as only ex-Witch Louis put up any kind of resistance, as the hosts won at will. Seven heat wins in the first 7 heats won the match, and although the Dukes had 2 heat advantages in the middle of the meeting, courtesy of Louis, the Witches pulled away convincingly. Promoter Boothroyd was non-too impressed with his riders and publicly called them out in the following home match programme.

The Dukes responded to their mauling at Ipswich and the criticism from the management by returning to winning ways, albeit narrowly against Leicester. Les Collins broke The Shay track record in the opening heat, and the visitors opened a 6 point lead after 5 heats. Although Carter and Louis reduced the arrears to 4, a 5-1 to the Lions in heat 7 had the Dukes 8 behind and in trouble. Successive 5-1s involving Cartwright (with Carter and Trownson) drew Halifax level, and it stayed that way until the last heat. With Collins unbeaten, hopes were slim, but Louis and Cartwright shut him out to win the match! Trownson deputised for Pendlebury in the absence of a hopefully-returning Pyszny.

With many of the top riders away on World Pairs Final duty, an open date was filled by the visit of Hull in the Yorkshire Cup. Pyszny had not arrived, and so Robbie Ashton had to deputise, with Wyer dropping to reserve. A largely unremarkable match was won by the Dukes, with Carter unbeaten by a Viking, with strong support from Louis and Cartwright. Louis seized an engine and fell in his last race, spoiling his own maximum. Doug Wyer had a frustrating night, failing to beat an opponent. For the visitors, operating R/R for Mauger, away representing his country in the pairs final, Sanders and Beaton kept the scores respectable.

The Dukes named Piotr Pyszny in their line-up for the trip to Sussex - but the Pole failed to arrive, his visa having been blocked. The Dukes had to cover his outings with reserves, and predictably, were well beaten. Carter broke down in heat 1 and that set the scene, as Kennett won the first of his 4 races. Louis and Cartwright offered glimmers of resistance but the bottom end of the team again failed to threaten. For the Eagles, Kennett was unbeaten, and was well supported by Kelly Moran and Paul Woods.

Pyszny was definitely on his way - but would be another week - so the Dukes called upon Billy Burton of Ellesmere Port as cover for the visit of King's Lynn. The teams were locked together for the first 8 races, but a 5-1 from Wyer and Cartwright in heat 9 edged Halifax in front. With Carter and Louis in ominous form, the Stars never looked like clawing their way back, and a 4-2 from Carter and Wyer in heat 12 sealed the win. Kings' Lynn's task was not helped by the non-appearance of World Champion Michael Lee, and the Stars were forced to cover his absence with reserves. It was revealed afterwards that the World Champion had been arrested and charged with several motoring and drug-related offences...