BIRMINGHAM ace Adam Ellis was a deserving winner of the prestigious F.A.S.T Golden Hammer at Perry Barr.

The Brummies’ No.1 put in a dominant display to claim a spectacular victory courtesy of a faultless 15 point maximum.

A classy triumph as he met Max Clegg in heat seven eventually proved decisive as he took victory by a single point ahead of the Cradley skipper, who ended in second place with 14 points.

Whilst Clegg was in impressive form as he aimed to become the third successive home winner of the event, he was unable to match the untouchable Ellis.

However, the Heathens’ favourite was nonetheless pleased with his performance as he reeled off four stunning wins from his five rides.

“It would have been great to win, but I’m still happy with how I rode tonight,” said Clegg.

“Adam (Ellis) was just the better rider on the night, he deserved to win but I’m really pleased to get on the rostrum.

“It was a good line-up with some hard riders to beat, but I made some good gates and rode well so it was a good night for me.”

Kent man Ben Morley eventually joined them on the rostrum with a strong showing. He bounced back from a fall in his opening ride to notch 11 points and edge third place ahead of Ashley Morris and Robert Branford.

Former Heathens’ skipper Morris was faced with an uphill task after a tapes exclusion in his second outing – although he came within a whisker of lowering the colours of Ellis in a thrilling heat 14.

Cradley will turn their attentions to a busy spell of crucial fixtures as they aim to keep their National League title bid alive.

They will begin a run of three consecutive away meetings as they travel to Stoke on Saturday (7pm) before returning to action at Perry Barr on Wednesday, August 26 against King’s Lynn.

FAST GOLDEN HAMMER, Cradley Adam Ellis 15, Max Clegg 14, Ben Morley 11, Robert Branford 10, Ashley Morris 10, Olli Greenwood 9, Arron Mogridge 9, Matt Williamson 8, Dan Greenwood 7, Tom Perry 6, Zach Wajtknecht 5, Darryl Ritchings 5, Lee Payne 4, Mike Neale 3, Danny Phillips 2, Ellis Perks 2, Luke Harris 0 (res).