A match much closer than the scoreline suggests, Horspath were without Polish star Marcin Skowronek who had to race for Leszno in the Polish League and drafted in Wayne Hutt. Wayne (affectionately: "Chip Butty") is no slouch around The Village and notched a credible 12+2.

The Aces cleverly utilised former British Champion Lee Aris as tactical reserve and he was in fine form notching four consecutive wins before Mark Carmichael took the first BPL point off him of the season.

After four races only one point divided the teams however Hammers were in good form getting stronger as the match progressed led by the unbeaten Mark Boaler and Mike Morgans who dropped just a point to Aris. With strong back up throughout the order whilst only Terry Norman and Chris Jewkes supported Aris with Scott Doherty getting three exclusions.

Dave Carmichael had two for the home side but the Hammers strength indepth minimised the effect. With Skowronek due to return plus their Swindon based riders haven't raced yet Horspath look to have a solid base to mount a title challenge and erase the nightmare of the 2008 season.

Horspath 101: ( Mike Morgans 19, Mark Boaler 18+2, Steve Harris 14+1, Mateusz Szymczak 13+1, Wayne Hutt 12+2, Dave Carmichael 9+1, Mike Burgess 8+2, Mark Carmichael 8+1.)

Wednesfield 72: ( Lee Aris 18+1, Terry Norman 14, Chris Jewkes 12, Mick Aris 8, Mark Griffiths 8, Roger Cox 6, Stuart Bentley 5, Scott Doherty 1.)

Referee: Mike Legge

Combination League Result

Horspath 72: ( Joe Wyatt 7, Jack Smith 6+2, Wayne Clarke 11, Lee Clarke 5+1, Rachel Edge 11, Matt Coulter 4, Jordan Richardson 4, George Horsley 3, penalty pts 21 )

Wednesfield 79: ( Mark Griffiths 16, Natalie Timms 7, Mick Aris 14+2, Wayne Aris 11, Stuart Bentley 11+3 Matt Turley 20.)

Referee: A.Bentley