Pairs Success for Exiles

Elmander and Tullett go through in style in Pairs First Round.

Newport's two former GP riders produced a stunning display as a crowd of over 3,800 took advantage of the Welsh support to produce four maximums out of six rides to not only qualify for the semi-finals but win the meeting by six points.

In a high quality field, Elmander and Tullett even managed to produce a 5-1 against last years' finalists Aaron Macaulay and Nathan Kay from Willenhall, who failed to qualify from the meeting.

It was a stunning end to a topsy-turvy couple of weeks. Disappointment in the delay to installing the final 100 seats into the main stand was tempered by the fact that the Exiles rode their first game and won it with two heats to spare. A key part of that 48-42 victory over the Glenholt Knights was Oksana Chaplinski scoring 9-paid-12, a performance which earned the Russian third in Today magazines performances of the opening fortnight.

This was a very important performance for the Russian's own place in the team, as he would have felt under-pressure for his place as the Exiles number 8, Ross Halsey, scored 20 of the Exiles Academy sides 44 points over two legs against Brickhill Tigers.

However, that success looked firmly in the rear-view mirror after the next two games. Lars Elmander's performances being the only saving grace in both a 61-27 league reverse to Canvey Cruisers (13-paid-14) and a 59-31 defeat in the Division Three Cup (13).

Those performances would have given Elmander confidence going into the Pride of the West meeting down in Exeter but against a top-class field he struggled, scoring just six points.

Over in Peterborough, Ben Tullett showed the form that would come to fruition in the pairs as he took to the track in Heat 20 knowing that victory would earn him a run-off with Gary Hughes for the title. Unfortunately the Exiles skipper completely missed the gate and finished last.