Coventry Bees back on top after Belle Vue draw - The Rugby Observer

Coventry Bees back on top after Belle Vue draw

Rugby Editorial 24th Jun, 2015 Updated: 27th Oct, 2016   0

BEES are back on top of the Elite League after a dramatic 45-45 draw at Belle Vue on Monday.

The visitors took two points from a thriller of a meeting thanks to a magnificent Heat 15 ride from skipper Chris Harris to overtake Aces’ No.1 Matej Zagar.

And that saw them extend their advantage over Belle Vue, who are rivals for a play-off place, as the home side were limited to just one point for a draw on their own circuit.

The teams had gone into the decider level after both had held four-point leads at various stages of the meeting.




Bees No.1 Hans Andersen was right back to form, and he went into Heat 15 unbeaten but found himself squeezed out from the outside on lap one.

With Zagar in front, the home side looked set to snatch a narrow victory, but Harris had other ideas and steamed under the Slovenian going into the second lap.


“Obviously we came here for the win so we’re a bit disappointed not to get it, but at least we came away with a draw and got two points,” said Harris.

“It was an up-and-down night for everyone – on Friday it was me and Hans who struggled, and on Monday it was others, but we’re there or thereabouts and the results still show the strength in depth we have in the team, and it’s great to be leading it.”

Bees have also this week quashed speculation that Darcy Ward will be heading to Ryton.

The Australian’s suspension expires at the end of June and he has been linked with several Elite League teams including the Bees.

But Bees promoter Mick Horton confirmed Ward has never been an option.

He said: “As much as I rate Darcy as a rider, him joining Coventry would never be an option and to be honest Darcy probably feels the same.

“We are currently top of the league so why would we consider changes? Our team spirit is the best in the league, as we saw again at Belle Vue on Monday.

“Friday’s return match against the Aces will be just as tough as last night, and we need to hit the ground running.”

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