WOLVERHAMPTON’S Elite League title hopes came to an end with a 55-38 defeat against local rivals Birmingham at Perry Barr on Monday.

The Brummies were always favourites to reach the Final after their two-point win at Monmore Green in the first leg last week, and their all-round strength proved too much for the Parrys International Wolves.

here was plenty of effort from Peter Adams’ side who suffered a string of setbacks in the early stages, and once again the injury absence of No.1 Tai Woffinden proved crucial.

Replacement Craig Cook finished second in Heat 1 but then fell heavily in Heat 5 and his only remaining outing saw him out of shape on turn two in Heat 11 as he dropped to the back.

Cook wasn’t the only Wolves rider to encounter misfortune, with Ludvig Lindgren losing a clear third place on the last bend of Heat 1 with mechanical failure, whilst Ricky Wells fell on the third bend of Heat 3.

The American’s exclusion was a double blow for Wolves as Freddie Lindgren had led the race at the time, but in the re-run he was edged out by home duo Danny King and Ben Barker.

Lindgren senior won a tactical ride in Heat 7 for double points to keep his side in the hunt, and guest Nicolai Klindt also impressed with some fast starts as Wolves operated the rider-replacement facility for the unwell Robert Miskowiak.

But 5-1s to the Brummies in Heats 8 and 10, both involving the fast-starting Jason Doyle, took the home side to the brink of aggregate victory, and Wolves’ fortunes were summed up when Klindt impressively defeated Chris Harris in Heat 11 only for Cook, the man going for double points, to be at the back.

Birmingham secured a place in the Final, where they will face Poole, with a 4-2 in Heat 13, although there was a final act of defiance from Adam Skornicki who denied Doyle a maximum with a fine pass in the last race.

Wolves boss Peter Adams said: “I was disappointed we couldn't push them any closer than we did, and we just didn't have enough race winners in the end.

“I think if you look at the two legs we have got seven points combined from the No.1 spot, and that tells its own story really.

“Birmingham have been the best team in the league this season - they were worthy winners and I wish them all the best.”

BIRMINGHAM 55: Jason Doyle 14, Danny King 12+1, Chris Harris 10, Josh Auty 6+2, Martin Smolinski 6+2, Ben Barker 6+1, Nico Covatti 1.

WOLVERHAMPTON 38: Adam Skornicki 10, Fredrik Lindgren 10, Nicolai Klindt 8, Ricky Wells 5, Ludvig Lindgren 3+1, Craig Cook 2, Robert Miskowiak r/r.

Aggregate score: Birmingham 101 Wolverhampton 82