Pottinger: Our hands are tied over Perry (From Dudley News)

Pottinger: Our hands are tied over Perry

8:44am Thursday 2nd August 2012 in Sport

HEATHENS will have Tom Perry at reserve for Tuesday’s National League showdown with title rivals Stoke at Monmore Green – thanks to a strange twist in the rulebook.

Perry has been riding superbly so far this season and is pushing skipper Adam Roynon for top spot in the averages.

However, because he hasn’t completed three home league meetings — he’s missed two because of riding for Premier League Somerset — Perry continues to keep the 5.89 average from last season.

Heathens boss Will Pottinger said: “Tom needs to complete two more home league meetings to get his average.

“He’s actually averaging 10 in the six league matches he’s done for us so to be down at reserve is all down to the rulebook. “It’s not right, but he has to do three home and three away meetings.”

Heathens put their perfect league record on the line against a powerhouse Potters side who include former Golden Hammer winner Simon Lambert.

The former Cradley club have won all nine of their league outings so far and have set a target of going through the league programme unbeaten.

But they will be without Dan Greenwood for the visit from the Potters as the Chesterfield youngster is unavailable.

Pottinger added: “This is the toughest home meeting of the season for us so far, especially as we’re without Dan.

“He’s been in good form for us this season so we know we will all need to be firing to cover his four rides.

“Stoke have a powerful top end but also they still have Ben Reade down at reserve for August and that’s a tough one for us because he can have seven rides.”

And Heathens coach Jan O Pedersen insists his riders will be taking nothing for granted throughout August.

He said: “Will and I will be making the points regularly to the riders that they still have the big meetings coming up.

“We have a cup semi-final and the play-offs to come. “We have won the National Shield but we want to win more than that.

“The boys need to stay well and truly focused and it’s my job, and Will’s job, to ensure we do just that over the next few weeks.”