WIMBLEDON 1956

National League
First Division

Won

24
24
24
24
24
24
24

17
14
12
10
11
9
6

WIMBLEDON COMPLETE DOUBLE

BRILLIANT OVERSEAS TRIO

 

1956 was another highly successful season for the brilliant all-round Wimbledon team. They won the National League Championship for the third year running and also added the National Trophy to their collection of honours. This was the fifth time in the history of the club that the National Trophy had come to Plough Lane, the last time being in 1953 when they defeated Wembley in the final.
  Once again the champions owed much to their three great overseas stars, Ronnie Moore, Barry Briggs and Peter Moore, who scored no less than 676 league points between them - much more than any other set of heat leaders.
  In all, the Dons rode in 38 matches, winning 26 and drawing one - at Birmingham. They completed a league double over every one of their rivals, a very impressive record.
  Biggest victory came when Bradford visited Plough Lane in the National Trophy, the Dons running up a 79-29 success and very nearly repeating the dose in the return at Bradford, winning this time by 70 points to 38.
  They received only two fairly big league defeats. Belle Vue gained a 47-36 win at Manchester in April, and Poole went one better with a 48-36 success late in May.
  However, the Dons did get one severe hiding. This took place in their final away league match at Birmingham, the Brummies showing their form to win by 56 points to 28. Only a few days before Wimbledon had secured their biggest league win against Birmingham by 61 points to 23, so revenge was secured.
  Ronnie Moore, skipper of the team and New Zealand international star,had another great season, although he did not quite reach his peak form. Nevertheless, he finally headed the team's league averages and showed fine team riding tactics in many matches.
  In addition, it is interesting to note that in the four open meetings held at Wimbledon (including the World Championship round) Ronnie Moore swept the board.
  He started his run of success in the open meeting when he won the Gold Vase with a maximum score, with Barry Briggs second. Next success was in the inter-track best pairs competition, when, with Peter Moore as his partner, they defeated all opposition.
  Third came in the famous Laurels, Moore winning the final with Briggs again second. He also won the World Championship round with 14 points, this time Peter Moore taking second place with 13 points.
  All three stars, Ronnie, Peter Moore and Barry Briggs got into the World Championship final in which Ronnie Moore finished runner-up to Ove Fundin, with Briggs sharing fifth place and Peter Moore No.9.
  Barry Briggs, put up some brilliant performances and actually scored more points than any other Wimbledon rider, but his tally of bonus points was much below that of Ronnie Moore with the result that the combined totals put Moore just ahead.
  After Ronnie Moore had won the British Match Race Championship in April, when beating Peter Craven and then losing it the next month to Brian Crutcher, Briggs became the next challenger, but was defeated. He had another chance in August but was again the loser, this time after a run-off.
  Perhaps the most improved rider was Peter Moore. This Australian rider, who graduated to First Division racing from Long Eaton, rode brilliantly throughout the season. His team riding was a joy to watch and he collected no fewer than 32 bonus points. There is, perhaps, just one slight flaw in Peter's armour. He is inclined to give way under severe pressure. If he could only master this he could become a real champion.
  There is not a better man at getting away from the gate, which is a big asset, but he is not quite the same rider if he has to battle through from the rear. He often misses those slight openings which can mean the difference between victory and defeat.
  Ex-Harringay rider, Ron How, started the season in great form and during the early period when he was a regular member of the side the Dons lost only two matches - at Belle Vue and Coventry. Unfortunately How broke a wrist when riding at Birmingham, and although he rode two days later against Wembley he had to go to hospital afterwards for an X-ray.
  Because of this unfortunate accident, How, was out of action for nearly two months and, as a result, an extensive trial was given to ex-California junior, Bob Andrews. He showed distinct promise and looks like making the grade with more experience. 

Gil Goldfinch, another ex-California rider, was given every chance in the reserve berth but, unfortunately did not make the progress one expected with the result when How returned to the side only Andrews retained his place.
  Tom Sweetman, another junior, also had plenty of second-half rides, but like Goldfinch did not make any improvement.
  Another rider who had an up-and-down season was ex-Harringay rider, Alf Hagon. He took a long time to settle down and it was only around the middle of the season that he showed glimpes of his best form.
  Cyril Maidment was consistent without being brilliant. Again he was expected to show greater improvement than he did. His main trouble is that he is inclined to be too erratic and throttle-happy. However, he is young and has plenty of time to develop into a good rider.
  Veteran Cyril Brine again proved his worth to the team and he returned a number of very good performances. "Salty" as he is affectionately known to all his friends and supporters, had much to do with Wimbledon winning the National Trophy final against Belle Vue.
  In the first leg at Manchester, Wimbledon received a heavy defeat - 29 points - and their task in the return was not going to be easy. It needed every man to be in top form if the Dons were to pull it off. 

Brine gave his side a great start by team riding with Ronnie Moore in the opening heat to gain a maximum win. He was unplaced in his next ride but then took second place in his other three outings, in two of them following his partner home for maximum points.
  With a similar effort coming from Cyril Maidment, the Dons had actually taken the lead on aggregate with three heats to go, but in heat 17 Craven and Johnston scored a 4-2 against Brine, who tried hard to get to grips with Craven, with the result Wimbledon needed a 4-2 in the final heat to win.
  Craven jumped into the lead but brilliant riding by Ronnie Moore saw the Wimbledon star take over the initiative, and Peter Moore coming in third Wimbledon won the trophy by one point - 108 to 107 on aggregate.