Perry cool on average twist (From Dudley News)

Perry cool on average twist

6:00pm Thursday 9th August 2012 in Sport

TOM Perry says his spell at reserve for Dudley Heathens doesn’t necessarily mean extra rides.

Perry, who is averaging almost 10, hasn’t done enough meetings to establish an official 2012 average and as a consequence he is in the bottom two.

And while it appears to strengthen the former Cradley club on the surface, they have been left with no option but to go to Mildenhall for a crunch clash on August 19 with a novice to replace him as he will be racing in the European Grass Track Championship.

If he was on his true average he would be second behind Adam Roynon and his four programmed rides could be covered by the rest of the side.

He said: “I will be going down to reserve for a month because I haven’t got my new average yet and the rest of the boys have.

“There is nothing I can do about that, I have just missed a few meetings. I am looking forward to the prospect of maybe getting a few more rides but there is no need for me to have extra rides if we are winning meetings and the rest are doing well.”

Perry insists he never takes things for granted when it comes to riding for the Heathens.

He said: “It is awesome to ride for the Heathens, the support we have is brilliant, especially for a National League side and it is just great to be a part of it. Dudley fans are brilliant and I wouldn’t change my team at all. They follow us in numbers home and away, — they are incredible.”

Perry is also in line to ride as one of the wildcards at Coventry next Friday, August 17, in the World Under-21 Final a fortnight after appearing as reserve in the British Final.

Heathens chairman Nigel Pearson says club bosses aren’t happy about Perry going to reserve.

He said: “He’s missed meetings because he’s been riding for his Premier League club.

“I can, hand on heart, say I don’t believe it is in the best interests of the National League to have a rider of Tom’s improved form at reserve.

“He’s done six league matches already — but he needs three home and three away to get an average.

“Yes, we can use him seven times in a meeting and replace riders who may be out of form with him — but looking at the bigger picture it’s not good for the National League and, obviously, we have to take the meeting at Mildenhall on the chin on August 19.”

Heathens are back at Monmore Green on Tuesday, August 21, with the visit of Mildenhall in the return fixture.