Heat by Heat Results - July 1985

Halifax only had themselves to blame as a catalogue of errors robbed them of an improbable win at Sheffield. Carter suffered engine failure whilst leading heat 1, shifting a 4-2 to a 2-4 against. Worse was to follow in heat 3 as Willmott lifted coming out of the second bend and hit the fence - he suffered a wrist injury and could take no further part. The scores were level after a magnificent 5-1 from Hansen and Monaghan in heat 8, but the Tigers immediately restored a 2 point lead. Monaghan replaced Willmott in heat 10 but failed to make the start in time and was excluded. The final blow came in heat 12 when Ross packed up, gifting the Tigers the match winning 5-1, and a win for Carter and Evitts in the last race spoke of what might have been...

Halifax recorded a 10 point win against Ipswich, overcoming the Witches after a tricky start, which saw the sides locked on 15-15 after 5 races. With Carter and Doncaster away on WTC duty in West Germany, both teams agreed to use their own resources rather than using guests. Neil Evitts provided a captain's performance with a solid 10 points, backed up by 8 each from Ross and Willmott, despite the latter struggling with the wrist he injured 2 nights before. Richard Knight made fast starts to keep the visitors in the hunt, but John Cook withdrew from the meeting after 3 rides, and with Kai Niemi also struggling with bike problems, the Dukes had too much.

A rare Friday night at The Shay, as the Dukes finished their League Cup campaign - and denied Wolverhampton the final semi final place in a dramatic last heat decider. With Kurt Hansen away in the European Under 21 final in West Germany, Halifax used junior Gordon Whitaker as cover, but Wolves faster starting allowed them to build up a 6 point lead. Carter and Evitts reduced the deficit, before Ross and Monaghan brought the scores level in heat 11. A win for Wolverhampton would have also clinched the bonus point - and the 3 points would have seen them pip Coventry for 4th place - however Rod Hunter - who had to take his 3rd compulsory ride - and Sean Willmott shocked the visitors with a last heat 5-1 to steal all 3 points.

Whilst the world watched Live Aid from Wembley Stadium, the Dukes travelled to Norfolk, and frustratingly lost to the worst team in the league. Kenny Carter warmed up for the Overseas Final the next day with a comfortable maximum, but was powerless to stop the Stars stealing the win. Halifax lost Sean Willmott who aggravated his wrist after being brought down by Evitts in heat 3, but the efforts of Carter and a resurgent Rod Hunter kept the Dukes 2 in front. But an unlikely 5-1 from Jolly and Courtney over Evitts and Hunter edged the Stars in front, and when Courtney repeated the feat in heat 12 with Dave Jessup, the match was lost.

A week on, Halifax gained their revenge on King's Lynn with a bonus-point winning victory. With Willmott out injured, Doug Wyer was drafted in again, with Hansen also returning. Carter and Hansen set the scene with a convincing 5-1 to start, and it was only the efforts of Dave Jessup that stopped the Dukes pulling away. Jessup inflicted Carter's only defeat in heat 6, but faded later in the meeting as Halifax, led by a back-to-form Hunter eased home. Ross and Evitts were also in the points, as the Dukes moved to the top of the British League...

A month earlier, Halifax grabbed the League Cup points at Coventry - but the home side made sure there would be no repeat. A superb 14 points from Carter was in vain, as the Dukes squandered an early lead, as the Bees drew level, and then pulled away in the middle of the meeting. Tatum only scored 5 points a month earlier, but looked back to form with a solid 9 points to back up Knudsen. But the Dukes had too many low scorers to maintain their challenge - however they would be hoping that the deficit could be overcome at The Shay the following week...