COVENTRY Storm boss Laurence Rogers admits his side were beaten by the better team after being romped 61-29 by National League leaders Birmingham Brummies at Brandon on Sunday afternoon.
The Brummies were hugely impressive from one-to-seven with their injury returnees Tom Perry and Tom Bacon looking as if they had never been away.
They limited the Storm to just three heat wins, and although the scores were level after three races the visitors soon pulled clear.
Encouragement for Coventry came with a highly creditable debut from new signing Mitchell Davey, who started his meeting with the remarkable avoidance of an accident, and finished with two excellent wins in the final two heats but it was nothing more than damage limitation.
Davey’s Heat 15 victory was especially impressive as he picked up good speed on the first lap to go around Zach Watjknecht and deny the Brummes’ No.1 a 15-point maximum.
But all in all it was a day to forget for the Storm, who continue to be hampered by injuries with both Conor Dwyer and Jamie Halder missing the fixture and captain Dan Greenwood endured a nightmare afternoon which began with a fall in Heat 1 and he was then beset by mechanical problems.
“Birmingham were very good,” said Rogers. “They were gating, we weren’t, and we had every bit of bad luck going with Dan having a meeting to forget.
“There were a couple of on-the-line decisions which I thought should have gone in our favour, but the big plus point was Mitchell Davey. He got better with every race and I think he’s going to be a great asset to us.
“The other rider I want to praise today, although he didn’t score many, was Callum Walker. He put 120 per cent effort in and was a bit downhearted that he didn’t get the points, but I’ve said to him he’s improving all the time, and one of these meetings it will click for him.
“We’re hoping to have Jamie Halder back in the near future. He was here again today, the wrist is out of plaster and it’s looking stronger. It should be three or four weeks at the most, hopefully three.”
