LEICESTER Lion Cubs came close to pulling off a remarkable result as they went down 44-40 at Edinburgh on Friday.
The Lion Cubs were able to track only five riders, as planned guest Harry Fletcher was hurt in the first half of the double header at Armadale when Edinburgh beat Oxford, and Leicester were already operating rider replacement for the unavailable Max Perry.
And then they were reduced to four with Eli Meadows, the winner of Heat 2, unable to go beyond his second ride after being brought down by Lee Harrison on the first bend of Heat 4.
But still the Lion Cubs fought all the way against a seven-rider home side and were denied the opportunity of levelling the match in the final race due to the stadium curfew, as a 5-1 would have taken proceedings to a Super Heat.
It meant the Lion Cubs had to be content with just the aggregate point, with results on the night meaning all three clubs involved can still win the WSRA NDL title.
It is still in Oxford’s hands, as a win in their final match at Middlesbrough will make them uncatchable, but if they slip up on Teesside the Lion Cubs could still snatch the title with wins at home to Belle Vue and away to the Steelers.
Despite a van breakdown on the M6, captain Ben Trigger led the way with a 12-point haul, winning three successive races, whilst Cooper Rushen recovered from a retirement in his first ride to drop just one point thereafter.
Ryan Ingram delivered a solid performance at No.2, including a win in Heat 8 when Luke Crang came to grief for the home side as Leicester took a 5-1 to get back into the match.
They were just two points down when Rushen defeated home guest Vinnie Foord, making a rare NDL appearance, in Heat 13, with Trigger in third place.
But with the time window for the meeting about to expire, the Monarchs Academy took a 4-2 in Heat 14 and the Lion Cubs were unable to have the chance to respond in the finale – where a 5-1 would not have been easy due to the home side’s own top-end strength, but it would certainly have been possible given the form of Trigger and Rushen, and the fact that Leicester would have had choice of gates.
WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
EDINBURGH 44: Vinnie Foord 11, Connor Coles 9+1, Jordy Loftus 8+2, Dayle Wood 7, Lee Harrison 4, Luke Crang 3+2,, Luke Harris 2
LEICESTER 40: Ben Trigger 12, Ryan Ingram 8+1, Kieran Douglas 8+1, Cooper Rushen 8, Eli Meadows 4+1, Harry Fletcher 0, Max Perry r/r
Leicester win aggregate point
Abandoned after 14 heats (curfew) – Result stands
Photo credit: JACK CUPIDO
