Linus Sundstrom

THE Silver Ski Rockets became the second Rye House team to fall in the Black Country in the space of 24 hours, but not without a battling effort.

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On Tuesday the injury-racked Kart Raceway Cobras were mauled 67-26 by Dudley at Wolverhampton; this time the Rockets went down 53-41 in the Second City last night (Wednesday), although it took a last race decider to finally pull a consolation match point out of their reach.

The result was certainly a far cry from the 59-28 demolition meted out in the Rockets’ Premier Trophy semi-final visit. On that occasion, they were denied the services of Linus Sundstrom after a heavy fall in Sweden the night before, and also lost Luke Bowen to the injury that still keeps him sidelined.

The Blond Bombshell was most definitely available this time around, and delivered four race wins in a memorable paid 17 haul.

More consistent support from the rest of the side would have kept the score-line closer, but Chris Neath was the only other Rocket to snare a race win, although Stefan Ekberg captured two paid successes when paired with fellow Swede Sundstrom.

The first came in the opening race, as the dup outpaced Jason Lyons and Justin Sedgmen to give Rye an early advantage.

After the Brummies had hit back to lead 15-9, the pair’s second came in heat five - this time against Steve Johnston and Aaron Summers - to pull the score back to 16-14.

The middle third of the match belonged to Birmingham, as three 5-1s in the space of five races lifted the differential to 38-22.

Sundstrom’s Tactical nomination for heat 11 unfortunately coincided with his first defeat of the night, as the teenager could only follow home Sweetman and partner Ekberg for an unusual 4-3 result in Rye’s favour.

The Rockets’ second Tactical nomination was more positive, with Chris Neath bagging a six point win, and Kyle Hughes third, to bring the deficit back to a more manageable 43-33.

The next two races were shared, leaving Rye needing a 5-1 from the final heat to sneak a match point.

It was Sweetman who took the chequered flag, however, inflicting his second defeat of the match on Sundstrom, with Johnston third.

The result cements Birmingham in second place in the Premier League table behind Edinburgh, while the Rockets remain in fifth spot and will now aim to get back into rhythm when they face Scunthorpe at Hoddesdon this Saturday.