Eagles slip at Monmore (From The Argus)

Eagles slip at Monmore

11:39pm Monday 15th June 2009 in Search By Brian Owen

Team manager Trevor Geer admitted his Eastbourne Eagles failed to fire on all cylinders as they missed the chance to shock title-chasing Wolverhampton.

Eagles let slip an early lead and went down to a very conclusive 55-39 reverse at Monmore Green.

The result is a blow in their battle to clamber into one of the four play-off places.

It also takes away some of the momentum gained by excellent wins over Poole and Coventry in their previous fixtures.

There was consolation for skipper Davey Watt as he beat Wolves No. 1 Freddie Lindgren in the opening race to spoil the flying Swede’s maximum.

Lindgren has now dropped just two points in 43 races this season around his home track.

Geer had fancied his team to surprise a few people in the West Midlands and admitted: “I’m disappointed. I was expecting a close meeting.

“I didn’t know which way it could have gone but, even if we had lost, I thought we might get a point out of it. I always think if one team can do well around Wolverhampton it’s Eastbourne.

“Unfortunately we were carrying a few people who were struggling with machinery and things. Without an out-and-out No. 1 we really need everybody to be firing and that wasn’t the case.”

Eagles led 8-4 when Watt’s opening race success was followed by a 5-1 for reserves Ricky Kling and Simon Gustafsson.

Once again Gustafsson was arguably the star of the show for Eagles on his to paid-ten. His tally included a win over exciting Aussie prospect Ty Proctor in a well-contested heat 14.

That was one of just four race wins for Eagles who, heat one aside, found it impossible to contain the home side’s big two of Lindgren and Peter Karlsson.

Lewis Bridger passed Tai Woffinden to win heat 12 when going for double points as Eagles looked to peg back the deficit but Wolves had 5-1s in heats 13 and 15.

Wolves: Karlsson 14+1 (5), Lindgren 12+2 (5), Woffinden 8+1 (4), Skornicki 8+1 (4), Klindt 7+1 (4), Proctor 5 (5), Stichauer 1 (3).

Eagles: Watt 11 (5)^, Bridger 10+1 (6)^, Gustafsson 9+1 (6), Kling 4+1 (4), Dryml 3 (4), Woodward 2+1 (5), Norris r/r.