Bumper Easter haul for Coventry.
The Whale Toyota Coventry Bees kick-started their season with a fruitful Easter haul of eight points out of 10 against Belle Vue and Peterborough.
After opening the campaign with a dismal run of three defeats, Bees finally came good with back-to-back wins over Belle Vue - 46-44 in Manchester and 49-40 at Brandon - were then squeezed out 46-44 at Peterborough, but turned the tables on the Elite League leaders by easing to a 54-35 victory and the bonus point in difficult wet conditions at Coventry Stadium on Monday night.
The Whale Toyota Coventry Bees kick-started their season with a fruitful Easter haul of eight points out of 10 against Belle Vue and Peterborough.
After opening the campaign with a dismal run of three defeats, Bees finally came good with back-to-back wins over Belle Vue - 46-44 in Manchester and 49-40 at Brandon - were then squeezed out 46-44 at Peterborough, but turned the tables on the Elite League leaders by easing to a 54-35 victory and the bonus point in difficult wet conditions at Coventry Stadium on Monday night.
The victory over Peterborough was a collective team effort, and boss Colin Pratt said: "We were a bit unlucky not to win at Peterborough, but all in all it was a good weekend."
"Eight points out of 10 over Easter is an excellent return and I believe we are now seeing the real potential of our young riders."
"Ryan Fisher and Billy Janniro are both performing well, and Ryan is learning and thinking with every lap he does. Lee Richardson and Andreas Jonsson have also got themselves together and are looking brilliant. I believe we can build on this weekend and go from strength to strength."
Bees travel to Eastbourne this Saturday night, and then journey south again next Wednesday night to face Poole at Wimborne Road. They return to Brandon to tackle in-form Midland neighbours Wolverhampton on Saturday April 13.
Saturday's teams (7.30pm):
Eagle CNC Eagles: Mark Loram, David Norris, Dean Barker, Stefan Andersson, Joe Screen (C), Savalas Clouting and Toni Svab. Team manager: Ollie Tyrvainen.
Whale Toyota Coventry Bees: Billy Hamill (Capt), rider-replacement for Stuart Robson, Lee Richardson, Billy Janniro, Andreas Jonsson, Wayne Carter and Ryan Fisher. Team manager: Colin Pratt
Fixtures and Results (Elite League unless stated):
March:
Fri 15 Oxford Challenge A L43-47
Sat 16 OXFORD Challenge H L42-48
Sat 23 IPSWICH H L42-48
Fri 29 Belle Vue A W46-44
Sat 30 BELLE VUE H W49-40
April:
Mon 1 Peterborough A L44-46
Mon 1 PETERBOROUGH H W54-35
Sat 6 Eastbourne A
Wed 10 Poole A
Sat 13 WOLVERHAMPTON H
