COVENTRY CYCLE Speedway made the perfect start to their 2016 Elite League campaign, defeating Ipswich Eagles 100-94 at Hearsall Common on Sunday afternoon.
The Hearsall Common outfit drafted in northerners Andy Angell, Chris Parish, Ben Higham, Jake Read and Adam Watson for the opening fixture and also flew in Pole Michal Sassak.
Coventry didn’t have things run their own way though as a late comeback from the Eagles saw them lead by a point with just four heats remaining.
Wins for Myke Grimes, Bobby McMillan, Chris Parish and Michal Sassak helped Coventry’s cause as they led by a convincing 11 points after just ten heats.
A strong home crowd then witnessed Ipswich hold their own before earning a 7-2 in heat 14, after Mike Baldock was excluded, and then a 7-3 in the following race.
With the Eagles leading by a point, it was down to Coventry-based talents Myke Grimes and Bobby McMillan to bring Coventry back in front before Angell and Sassak all but confirmed victory for the home side with a 7-3 in the following race.
A pair of shared races followed leaving Ipswich pointless as Coventry claimed their first two Elite League points of the season.
Team manager Lee Marsh said: “I was delighted with the way the boys battled, they worked hard for their points and showed character at the end.
“We established a healthy lead after the break and let it slip too quickly, however Myke and Bobby picked up the pieces well to get us back on track.
“As an overall effort I’m delighted with the way we raced and look forward to our next fixture.”
Coventry’s next Elite League tie comes in under two weeks time when they face Poole at Harbourside Park on Sunday (April 17).