Birmingham 48 Somerset 44

Sep 25 2008 By Nigel Pearson

BIRMINGHAM pulled off one of their best wins of the season last night – and at the same time handed the Premier League title to Edinburgh.

Skipper Jason Lyons gave one of the best displays of his long career with a stunning 15-point maximum, including the winning ride in Heat 15 to decide the match and the outcome of the championship.

Said Lyons: “It was an amazing night and we all gave it everything we had. I thought we deserved to win the meeting because of that determination.

“Of course I’m pleased to score a maximum but for me it was all about the team and after the season we’ve had I thought this was just what we deserved.

“Conditions became a little difficult later on but we all stuck together and we showed a lot of determination to beat them when it looked like we may lose.”

Somerset needed the win to put Edinburgh under pressure for their trip to Glasgow on October 12 but a determined BRC Roofing Brummies side ended the Rebels’ hopes.

Australian star Jason Doyle was used as a tactical substitute in Heat 8 off a 15-metre handicap and managed to race through to second place on a well prepared track.

And Steve Bishop’s men managed to get the lead with a maximum from Doyle and Jordan Frampton in Heat 11.

But that was the last time a visiting rider was to win a race and Birmingham kept their cool to delight the home fans.

And in an ironic twist, Birmingham will face newly-crowned champions Edinburgh in the Premier Trophy Final at Perry Barr on Sunday (6pm).

The club have also confirmed next Wednesday’s meeting will be the Young Shield tie with Berwick – with the return at the border track on Saturday week, October 4.

BIRMINGHAM: Jason Lyons 15, Craig Watson 10+1, Jay Herne 9, Tomasz Piszcz 7+1, James Birkinshaw 5, Ben Taylor 2, Kyle Legault R/R.

SOMERSET: Jason Doyle 15+1, Emil Kramer 9+1, Brent Werner 6+1, Jordan Frampton 5+2, Matthias Kroger 5+1, Stephan Katt 4, Simon Walker R/R.

* DAVID Howe is back in the Wolverhampton side for tonight’s trip to his former club Peterborough.

*

Howe was axed from the side for Monday’s Midland Shield clash with Birmingham but crisis talks with club officials about his poor performances have now been held.