Heat by Heat Results - August 1984

Given the mounting injury crisis the Dukes were now facing, a trip to Middlesbrough for a meaningless 4TT was probably not what was needed. The remaining fit Dukes, perhaps not surprisingly, didn't have much appetite for the contest, trailing in a distant last place behind a rampant Newcastle, a Grahame and Cross-led Cradley, and the hosts. Only Steve Baker emerged with any credit, although his heat win and second place came in rather easy outings. Finch, Hansen and Monaghan were largely out of touch, with only the Dane grabbing a second place, the rest being thirds and lasts. Halifax were only 1 behind the Tigers with 5 heats remaining, but the hosts pulled away to leave the Dukes in the distance.

The Dukes trip to Swindon was boosted by the news of a returning Doug Wyer, although Halifax were left well beaten and frustrated by what they adjudged to be poor refereeing. The Grahame brothers were called in to deputise for Carter and Evitts, and Alan was the main threat for the Dukes, scoring an impressive 12 and a bonus. Unfortunately, the rest offered little as the Robins jumped 20 points in front after only 7 races, with Crump, Koponen and the 2 reserves scoring points at will. After 2 lasts, Wyer came good with 5 points late on to steady the ship, but Halifax were fuming at several stoppages for unsatisfactory starts - every time when they had taken the lead.

The Dukes lost to Wolverhampton in a fixture most people would have expected to be a comfortable home win. But Halifax were never in this from the start, as a dry and dusty track due to water restrictions, meant passing was at a premium, and favoured the gaters - which the Wolves had. Only the Collins' brothers as guests, and Steve Baker showed up - with the remaining Dukes scoring only 7 between them and incurring the displeasure of Eric Boothroyd. Neil Collins came back from a first bend crash to win heat 4, but aside from 3 wins from brother Les, Halifax had no answer. Shawn Moran, guesting for injured fellow American Dennis Siaglos, scored an easy 12 point maximum.

Halifax ended their miserable run with a win - their first since June - over a poor Eastbourne side, albeit only by 4 points. And they needed guest Richard Knight to see them home, with an impressive paid 11 points, including a last race 5-1 with Wyer to take the win. The Dukes led early on, but saw their lead wiped out when Kasper and Tyrvainen took a surprise 5-1 over the Dukes reserves in heat 8. Kasper and Eskildsen then stunned the home supporters with a repeat in heat 9 to edge the Eagle in front. Two 5-1s from the Dukes looked to have seen them home, but again the Eagles came back to force the last heat decider.

Halifax hit rock-bottom with a demoralising defeat at Exeter - site of a 16 point win only 8 weeks earlier. The Falcons clearly had something to prove as they often gated quicker than the Dukes, and passed the visitors if they didn't. The choice of guests was probably a factor, as both Grahame and Ravn struggled along with the rest, although the former came good after 2 last places. But criticism was again heading in the direction of Finch, Hansen and Monaghan as they all failed to beat a rider on track apart from the Falcons number 8 Steve Bishop. This would be Ivan Mauger's last meeting against the Dukes, and he eased to a 12 point maximum.

The league was starting to get comments about the number of guest riders in operation, and Poole's visit to The Shay was a perfect example, with both sides missing top riders. This time though, the Dukes got the best out of their replacements, as Simmons and Hunter backed up skipper Steve Baker to see the Dukes home. The Pirates were not so lucky - although Campbell (in for Ermolenko) was their main threat, Andy Grahame (in for the banned Michael Lee) had a poor night. The meeting was marred by a frightening crash in heat 9 when Finn Thomsen's throttle jammed open, the impact with the fence sending the Dane over the top. Fortunately, he escaped with arm injuries.