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| |  | BIRMINGHAM were forced to settle for a consolation league point in their return to action at Redcar on Friday.
The Edwards Plumbing Brummies went down 48-42 in their first meeting for a month in a close contest throughout on Teesside.
After opening their return with a 5-1, it was Redcar who then reeled off three straight heat advantages to move six in front.
The Brummies plugged away though and the scores were level with four races to go.
But Redcar struck back-to-back maximums, the second in a controversial Heat 13.
In the first staging, Bears No.1 Charles Wright brought down Brummies’ guest Rory Schlein in an incident which was not only deemed an unsatisfactory start by SCB Referee Phil Griffin, but which also forced Schlein pull out after aggravating an injury sustained last week.
The re-run then saw Wright ride hard once more, this time causing Brummies’ captain Chris Harris to come down on bend three.
But it was the Birmingham man questionably excluded, ending his unbeaten night in the process.
In typical ‘Bomber’ fashion though, the triple British Champion picked himself up, dusted himself down and used his frustration to help him take the chequered flag in the penultimate race with Paco Castagna pipping Redcar guest Drew Kemp on the run to the line for an important 5-1.
That meant the Brummies would head back to the West Midlands with something to show for their efforts as long as they didn’t concede a maximum in the final heat.
And when Harris split Wright and Michael Palm Toft, the Perry Barr outfit secured a hard fought league point.
Team boss Laurence Rogers said: “I feel it’s the least we deserved.
“It’s a decent way to get back to racing and I can’t fault any of the boys’ efforts, they all battled hard.
“Part of me feels it could and probably should’ve been more; for me in Heat 13, Charles Wright got away with it twice and should’ve been excluded on both occasions.
“Firstly he wiped out Rory then in the re-run he was out of control and took Bomber out.
“I wasn’t happy with either of those decisions and they did have a pretty big say in the final outcome.
“A big thanks to our two guests Rory Schlein and Stefan Nielsen who both won two rides each and certainly played their part.
“It was good to have the team back on track, it was good for some of the lads to get racing again and we move onto Wednesday in what promises to be a cracking meeting against Scunthorpe.”
The Brummies return to Perry Barr on Wednesday (July 14, 7.30) against the Scorpions and supporters are advised to purchase their tickets in advance via https://www.trybooking.com/uk/eventlist/speedway.
Anyone who needs assistance should call 07544 294420.
CHAMPIONSHIP:
REDCAR 48: Charles Wright 12, Drew Kemp 11+3, Jake Allen 9+1, Michael Palm Toft 8+1, Jordan Jenkins 5+1 James Sarjeant 3, Jordan Stewart R/R.
BIRMINGHAM 42: Chris Harris 13+1, Rory Schlein 8, Stefan Nielsen 7, James Shanes 6, Paco Castagna 6, Ashley Morris 1, Jack Thomas 1.
Championship Points: Redcar 3, Birmingham 1.
Following Friday’s main event, the Birmingham Ductair Electric Bulls beat the Redcar Cubs 28-26.
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