Birmingham Monarchs Cycle Speedway team found a new star last Sunday as they romped to victory over Leicester by 107-67 in the Midland League at Perry Hall Playing Fields.

They strolled to their biggest win of the season, their first victory over Leicester in nearly ten years and recorded their fourth win in a row – their best winning run for 16 years.

And, in teenage trailblazer Nathan Groves, the Monarchs found a new star to add to their collection of home grown hotshots. Groves gave his most accomplished display to date in scorching to his first ever maximum score.

Birmingham’s Polish ace Dominik Rycharski, looking back to his best form, powered from the outside gate in heat 1 to take the race win but with Chris Timms at the back the heat was drawn.

Monarchs moved ahead in heat 2 with veteran Paul Timms teaming up with Groves for a maximum heat success. Another full score followed for the Monarchs in heat 3, after a scintillating dash from the back by the robust Mark Winwood.

Leicester, hit by injuries, illness and withdrawers, rallied to share the following two heats before Carl Winwood produced a classic outside burst in heat 6 to set Birmingham back on the victory march.

Chris Timms and Rycharski easily took heat 7 before Marcus Wadhams produced a trademark jet propelled start in heat 8 to partner Groves for another Monarchs full return.

The interval, heat 9, was reached with Birmingham 54-34 in front with Leicester fighting a losing rearguard action.

Further wins early in the second period to the Chris Timms/Rycharski and Wadhams/Groves partnerships put the Monarchs in a commanding position, faltering only when Mark Winwood trice moved at the starting tapes, earning two costly exclusions in the process.

Reserve Dean Sambrook recovered from two tepid opening rides to join his teammates in the point’s bonanza by winning heat 14 and Birmingham pressed home their advantage by providing the first man home in the final races.

Rycharski recorded an effortless five ride maximum, as did the immaculate Wadhams from four outings. Mark Winwood notched three wins from his completed rides and Carl Winwood included some dashing moves in his fine performance.

However, it was Groves, in only his second full season, who was the star of the show with his first ever individual maximum. Sharp from the tapes, quick from the back and mixed with a new found tactical awareness, he looks set to make continued rapid improvement as Birmingham maintain their chase for league championship honours.

Birmingham point scorers:
1 Chris Timms                 15
2 Dominik Rycharski       19
3 Marcus Wadhams         14
4 Nathan Groves              17
5 Carl Winwood               15
6 Mark Winwood             12
7 Dean Sambrook              6
8 Paul Timms                     9