AN IMPRESSIVE away record came to an end for Coventry Storm after they found themselves on the end of a 52-40 defeat at Birmingham in the National League.
Storm had taken at least one point from all of their previous matches on the road, but last Wednesday they came up against a home side whose top three were in imperious form at Perry Barr.
Brummies trio Adam Ellis, Tom Perry and Zach Wajtknecht all scored paid maximums and dominated the race wins.
The hosts limited Storm to just two victories, although with Coventry stronger in the lower-order, they kept in touch for much of the night.
Unfortunately they also picked up an injury with Conor Dwyer the innocent victim in Heat 5 when the Brummies’ Adam Kirby spun and fell in front of him.
Dwyer came down on the exit of turn two as he tried to take avoiding action and was withdrawn with a knee injury.
“Rider replacement for Crangy (Luke Crang) only got us three paid five, and it was also a blow to lose Conor when he was going quite well,” said Storm manager Laurence Rogers.
“It was quite wet and heavy to start with, and the boys didn’t really get into a rhythm.
“I thought we could have got something here, but we can’t moan having had 12 points from the five away matches.
“Marty was shattered at the end, I worked him to death with seven rides but all credit to him, and he would have had paid-17 but for that stoppage.”
