Eagles see-off depletedCoventry in fine style

Eastbourne Eagles soaked up early pressure before romping to a wholly dominant 61-30 victory over the Coventry Bees at Arlington stadium on Saturday evening.
Bjarne Pedersen red Ryan FisherBjarne Pedersen red Ryan Fisher
Bjarne Pedersen red Ryan Fisher

Another three Elite League points, their fifth such success in six home outings so far in season 2014, proved just what the doctor had ordered for the Sussex club.

It served to return them to fourth spot in the table, and into the section’s Play Off places, writes Kevin Ling.

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Due to the Brandon outfit’s patched up nature, the Bees entering the fray without leading lights Hans Andersen (European Championship) and Chris Harris (GP), the destiny of the points had seldom been in question, just the potential size of the final outcome proving the greatest debate.

However, the Bees came out fighting in the early stages, Ryan Fisher coming from behind to deny Bjarne Pedersen in heat one, preventing an Eagles opening 5-1 and then Coventry could even have led had reserve Stefan Nielsen not taken a tumble in the second race with his team heading for maximum points.

In the event, that sparked the turnaround. The Eagles reserves duo of Lewis Blackbird and Danny Halsey secured the 5-1 in the restart that would set them on course for a handsome victory.

The Bees showed their fighting mettle once more with a Hansen inspired 4-2 in the penultimate race, but their task was made all the easier as Woodward’s machine failed him on the start line when his throttle stuck open.

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It was Hansen again however who made it a winning end for the Bees with that fifteenth heat effort, after Ryan Fisher had again suffered a fall.

By then however it was a case of much too little, much too late for the Bees with Eastbourne safely in possession of the three match points.

However, for Coventry hit the thirty mark with the resources available and Fisher’s fortunes blighting them, to some, that was an achievement in itself.