Heat by Heat Results - March 1981

A new 16-heat format heralded the start of 1981 with a new competition - the League Cup. New-look Halifax made the trip down the M1 to Owlerton, and narrowly lost a match they could and should have won. An early 4 point lead through Carter and Wyer was maintained until heat 7, but once the hosts edged in front, the brilliance of reserve Dave Morton, who won 4 of the last 9 heats, saw Sheffield home. Carter had an engine failure in heat 8, which probably swung the match the Tigers' way, but there was promising, solid scoring from the top five.

The Dukes opened their home campaign with an emphatic demolition of Hull Vikings, for whom new recruit Billy Sanders was a class-apart. Halifax opened up a 12 point lead after 5 races, and although Sanders and Joe Owen minimised the damage, the Dukes pulled away again in the second half. The top 5 Dukes were all in devastating form, although another Carter EF spoiled his return. Steve Baker scored a solid paid seven from 4 starts. Trond Skretting made his debut, but failed to register a point.