In-form Wolverhampton Wolves leapfrog Aces

A bumper Monmore Green crowd basked in the sun as the Parrys International Wolves leapfrogged the Aces into second spot in the Premiership.

Swindon remain well clear at the top, but team boss Peter Adams’ men, who have now taken 19 points from their last seven league fixtures, will be delighted with their evening’s work.

Yet success seemed a long way off as a succession of mechanical woes which affected Sam Masters, Kyle Howarth and Nathan Greaves – twice – threatened to put their hopes in the deep freeze.

A gifted heat four 5-1 put the visitors ahead after three drawn races.

And Belle Vue, who arrived after a motorway sprint following their earlier 53-40 loss at Poole, initially made light of the hectic schedule.

Steve Worrall, with 16 points at Wimborne Road, again impressed while likely 2018 Grand Prix man Craig Cook showed all his determination and hot prospect Dan Bewley confirmed that all the pundits who rate him highly have not erred.

But Wolves, with Masters back from his collarbone injury and Mark Riss making his home return following damage to a hand, now look a solid septet once more.

With Rory Schlein reeling off a hat-trick of victories and Jacob Thorssell offering good backing, they turned the screw as the Aces tired.

And whenever Wolves are in the clutch, they can turn to super Swede Freddie Lindgren. The skipper, currently raking in the points in Poland, Sweden and the Grand Prix series, was simply sublime.

His fourth win, in heat 13, left the black and gold eight points clear with just two races to go.

Thorssell rounded Rohan Tungate to take the flag in the penultimate race and clinch overall victory.

Belle Vue deserved a point for their efforts – but they didn’t get it as Lindgren completed his five-ride full maximum.

When the heat is on, the Swede invariably stays cool.