BUXTON ‘Ductair’ Bulls moved into second place in the WSRA National Development League table behind leaders Edinburgh Academy after they sensationally took all three points available on Sunday afternoon, defeating the Middlesbrough Tigers 57-33 at Hi-Edge Raceway, their biggest win since returning to the sport this year.

The Bulls were beaten by the Tigers 56-34 just eight days ago and not only gained the victory on the day but the aggregate bonus point in a performance that saw every member of the septet record at least a paid raceway in what was a solid all-round team performance by the Bulls side.

Skipper Jack Smith and Arran Butcher got the Bulls off to a great start with a maximum 5-1 in the opening heat over Ace Pijper who had on Saturday night ridden in the British Final at Belle Vue scoring five points and they extended their lead with a couple of 4-2 heat race wins from Luke Harris and Jack Roberts and then Alfie Bowtell and Jack Shimelt to lead 16-8 after four heats.

The Tigers pegged Buxton back with a 5-1 from Nathan Ablitt and Alex Spooner in heat six, reducing their deficit to just four points, but the home side struck back as Butcher and Shimelt gained a 5-1 over Spooner to open up an 8-point lead after eight heats.

Buxton then produced three successive 5-1 heat advantages as Smith and Butcher, Bowtell and Will Boraston and finally Harris and Shimelt stunned the Tigers as the Bulls opened up a 46-26 lead after twelve heats.

The visitors had Ablitt to thank for stopping the Bulls fierce mid-meeting attack as he took victory in heat thirteen over Bowtell and Smith, but the Bulls could see the opportunity to grab the overall aggregate point and were not done as Jack Roberts took victory from Spooner with Boraston taking third place for a 4-2 leaving the ‘Ductair’ Bulls requiring at least a 4-2 from the final race.

The Bulls duo duly delivered as Bowtell took the chequered flag ahead of visitor Ablitt, and Harris took third place for Buxton, resulting in all three points remaining in the Peak District and the Bulls moving up to third place in the table.

Returning from injury, skipper Jack Smith said, “This was a fantastic result for us this afternoon and a solid display throughout the team and it shows we are a match for anyone around here.

“While I’m sure many would have expected us to win the meeting, I’m sure many people did not see us taking the aggregate point and, in doing so, moving us up into second place in the league table, and I’m absolutely delighted with the result today.”

Team Manager Laurence Rogers commented, “What a performance that was this afternoon; everyone played their part, and everyone got paid for a race win.

“It was a solid display as we kept Middlesbrough down to just five race winners, of which three came from Nathan Ablitt who guested for us last week, and it shows how much we have developed as a team as the season has progressed.”

BUXTON 57:
Alfie Bowtell 14, Luke Harris 11, Arran Butcher 8+1, Jack Smith 7+2, Jack Shimelt 7+2, Jack Roberts 6+2, Will Boraston 4+2

MIDDLESBROUGH 33:
Nathan Ablitt 13, Alex Spooner 8+1, Ace Pijper 5, Charlie Southwick 4, Harry Sadler 2+1, Stene Pijper 1, Jade Mudgway r/r

BONUS POINT: Buxton wins the aggregate bonus point.