LEICESTER made a great start to their WSRA National Development League title defence with a 48-42 win at Belle Vue on Good Friday.
Just as in 2024, the Lion Cubs opened their season with success on the road in Manchester, despite racing without three of what will be their regular septet.
15-year-old Cooper Rushen took the individual honours with an extraordinary performance to score 20 points out of a possible 21, including victory in Heat 15.
But it was a strong all-round effort from the six-rider Lion Cubs who faced a tougher challenge when Colts captain Freddy Hodder became available at short notice after the postponement of his Championship fixture.
Rushen dropped his only point in seven outings to fellow teenage talent Will Cairns in Heat 6, whilst the other five Leicester riders all made important contributions, including another youngster Ryan Ingram who was involved in two 5-1s on his debut.
It was the Lion Cubs reserves Rushen and Ingram who put the Lion Cubs ahead with a 5-1 in Heat 2, and guest Darryl Ritchings did well to pass Jack Shimelt for a win in the closing stages of Heat 3.
Rushen defeated Hodder in the next race as Leicester went four points up, although Rushen had to come from the back to pass Billy Budd in Heat 6 to prevent a 5-1 to the Colts.
The Lion Cubs’ other guest Ben Morley was involved in the next major breakthrough as he and Ingram took a 5-1 in Heat 9 with Jack Kingston coming to grief for the home side.
That put the visitors into a six-point lead, which they looked set to extend in Heat 11 only for Morley to be pipped by Hodder after a terrific battle.
They knew points in Heats 12 and 14 would be crucial as they were facing the strong Cairns/Hodder pairing in Heats 13 and 15, so a 5-1 from Rushen and Ritchings in the twelfth was just what was required, especially as the Colts’ top two did deliver a maximum in the next.
Rushen then held his nerve superbly to win a re-started Heat 14 after Sonny Springer had come to grief, and that secured victory for the Lion Cubs before Rushen then produced another great ride to defeat Hodder and Cairns in the last.
Team manager Jen Crossland said: “It’s very nice to start off with a win, and I’m proud of them all. Everyone got together and helped each other, and I can’t fault any of them.
“Cooper is going to take the headlines of course for scoring 20, and he’s just got such a level head on those young shoulders, it really is amazing.
“Special mention also to Ryan Ingram in his debut for an NDL team and he was brilliant, he really tried and his attitude towards what we had to do for the team was brilliant.
“We had two very good guests, everyone was buzzing afterwards, and also a big thanks to our travelling support which is always nice to see.”
The Lion Cubs now have a lengthy break before their next fixture, which is the return at home to Belle Vue on Sunday May 25.
WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
BELLE VUE 42: William Cairns 13+1, Freddy Hodder 12+1, Jack Kingston 5+2, Jack Shimelt 5+1, Billy Budd 4, Harry Fletcher 3, Mason Watson r/r
LEICESTER 48: Cooper Rushen 20, Ben Morley 9, Darryl Ritchings 7+3, Ryan Ingram 5+2, Sonny Springer 5, Eli Meadows 2+2, Max James r/r
Photo credit: IAN CHARLES
