BRITISH teenage sensation Dan Bewley was crowned the 2017 Golden Hammer champion after a thrilling three man run-off at the Cradley Heathens-hosted event.

The Belle Vue and Glasgow youngster drew level on 13 points with former Cradley captain Max Clegg and Lakeside star Ben Morley after their five programmed rides.

But it was Bewley who came out in front in the decider as the trio went three abreast into the third bend of the opening lap before eventually pulling clear to victory.

It was the eighth successive – and possibly final – time Cradley have hosted the annual prestigious event at Monmore Green.

Following his victory, Bewley said: “I won my first three rides and I felt like I could go through the card.

“But I missed the start in my fourth ride and I thought I'd blown it then.

“Thankfully a few of the other heat results went my way and I'd done enough to get in the run-off.

“Again I didn't make the best of gates but I just kept it going into a tight third and fourth bend and I was able to edge both Max and Ben out.

“2017 has been an amazing year for me personally and while I've still got one meeting to go, it feels great to win such a big individual meeting right towards the end.”

It was a thrilling night of racing which also saw Heathens favourite Ashley Morris and U.S National Champion Broc Nicol well in contention, until spills in their final ride saw their chances ended.

It was an emotional night for Morris who was the first rider to be signed when the club rose from the ashes for the 2010 season.

He then went on to win the league and cup double with the team three years later.

Morris said: “I don’t mind individual meetings to be honest but the one I do always hope I’m invited into is the Golden Hammer.

“Probably just because it’s for the Heathens and in front of their fans.

“There’s so many familiar faces who I’ve basically grown up with since I started out in speedway and they’ve supported me and backed me from day one.”

15-year-old Brit Jason Edwards also caught the eye as he reached double figures, despite the strong field, with Luke Harris the pick of this year’s Cradley team, finishing on nine points.

2017 F.A.S.T. GOLDEN HAMMER, Cradley:

Dan Bewley 13 (After run-off), Max Clegg 13, Ben Morley 13, Ashley Morris 12, Broc Nicol 11, Jason Edwards 10, Luke Harris 9, Joe Lawlor 7, Chris Widman 7, Connor Coles 6, Bradley Andrews 5, Lee Dicken 5, Taylor Hampshire 3, Conor Dwyer 3, Dan Greenwood 3, Kean Dicken 0.