Coventry fought off a spirited second-half display from the Ipswich Eagles, but held their nerve to clinch their first ever victory in the British Cycling Cycle Speedway Elite League.

As the only fixture of the opening weekend of the season, the 100-94 win gives puts Coventry at the top of the table.

Coventry skipper Mike Grimes put in a solid display of gating and passing, whilst McMillan and Higham did the Eagles damage at key points in the match, with the whole Coventry team doing their bit to contribute to the victory.

The Eagles missed the absent Adam Peck but Australian international Cody Chadwick showed his class and was well supported by Josh Brooke.

The match between Poole and Horspath was postponed due to soft ground in the areas surrounding the circuit. Attempts to reverse the fixture were unsuccessful with Horspath’s volunteers otherwise engaged at another sporting event. The fixture will be re-arranged.

Birmingham hosted reigning Elite League champions Wednesfield Aces in an Elite League Exhibition match at Perry Barr. The Aces took the spoils by 96-93.

Elite League after round one