LEICESTER Fox Cubs fell to a 53-31 home defeat at the hands of an impressive King’s Lynn team at the Hydroscand Arena, Beaumont Park on Sunday.
Will Cairns scored a 12-point maximum for the Fox Cubs, but on this occasion their injury problems proved too much of an obstacle to overcome.
They did take a brief lead in the meeting when Cairns and guest Luke Harris collected a 4-2 in Heat 1, but the visitors responded strongly with four successive 4-2s.
Fox Cubs remained in contention up to the halfway stage and looked set to reduce the deficit to four points when Harris and Max Broadhurst hit the front in Heat 8, but Broadhurst spun on the freshly watered track on turn three and came to grief.
Two 5-1s to the Young Stars in the next three races effectively resolved the issue, with regular Lion Cubs riders Cooper Rushen and Sonny Springer having a fine battle in Heat 11 before Rushen forced his way through.
By this stage visibility was becoming an issue due to dust in the hot conditions, and Ace Pijper slowed when leading Heat 12 as he could not see his entry into turn three, with Ashton Vale nipping through for the win.
Cairns completed his maximum in a brilliant Heat 13 where he and opposite number Jody Scott passed and re-passed with Cairns taking it on the line.
The shortage of water and the time it would have taken to get the track into raceable condition for Heat 15 meant the meeting was halted one race early with the Young Stars very much deserved winners.
Leicester manager Jen Crossland said: “We knew it was going to be tough especially with the injuries, but the team tried their hardest.
“Thanks to our guests and every one of our riders, and obviously it was another brilliant performance from Will.
“We can only apologise for Heat 15, but we had to take that decision because you just couldn’t see going into the bends and if someone had fallen they wouldn’t have been able to be seen.
“It’s been one of those weeks with the lack of water and other issues in the pits, so again we apologise and we will have things sorted for Thursday.”
The next National League action sees the Lion Cubs take centre stage on Sunday May 25 as they continue their defence of the WSRA NDL at home to Belle Vue.
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TROPHY
LEICESTER 31: Will Cairns 12, Ace Pijper 7, Sonny Springer 5, Luke Harris 4, Max Broadhurst 3, Owen Booth 0, Stene Pijper r/r.
KING'S LYNN 53: Cooper Rushen 12+2, Max Perry 10+1, Jody Scott 10, Luke Harrison 8+2, Ashton Vale 6+1, Calum Mitchell 5, Harrison Rogers 2+1.
Abandoned after Heat 14 (water shortage) - Result stands
