COVENTRY CYCLE Speedway club slipped to an 18 point loss against Wednesfield in their latest Midland League fixture at a sunbathed Hearsall Common, losing 80-98.
Now known as the Sabres, Coventry were up against it from the start as the reigning Elite League champions posted a pair of 6-4s in the opening two races.
Team GB international Myke Grimes was left frustrated as his first two rides resulted in defeats to both Brandon Whetton and Haydn Rowley.
Ray Oliver teamed up with Matt Hambidge in the concluding race of the first half to ensure Coventry trailed by just nine points.
Two 5-5s were quickly followed by a couple of Aces race advantages, leaving the Sabres with a massive hill to climb in the concluding five races.
Despite three heat wins for Myke Grimes, and a trio of 6-4 race advantages, Coventry were let down by a 7-3 and then a match defining 7-2 in heat 17.
Coventry team manager Lee Marsh said: “It was a disappointing result but then you have to look at the riders we were up against and take the result with a pinch of salt.
“Obviously we’re disappointed to lose but as I keep saying our juniors are continuing to improve.
“They raced hard and the likes of Dan Drewett, Mason Phillips and Matt Hambidge are coming on really well – this team will win, we’re very much building for the future.”
Coventry’s next fixture comes this Sunday (July 10) as they face Ipswich in a crucial Elite League encounter which the Sabres simply must win.