LEICESTER Fox Cubs pulled off a narrow 45-44 victory in a close National Development Trophy contest at Plymouth on Saturday.
There were never more than two points between the sides at the Coliseum, and captain Will Cairns was the hero when he won Heat 15.
Cairns had lost out to Joe Thompson in Heat 1 as the Centurions edged two points ahead, and remarkably each of the next eight races were shared.
The Fox Cubs levelled with a 4-2 In Heat 10 as Ace Pijper defeated Thompson with youngster Ollie Binns third, and they went ahead in the next with a win for Cairns over Ben Trigger whilst Stene Pijper supplied third place.
But home riders then won the next two races and they levelled things up with a 4-2 in Heat 13 from Thompson and Trigger over Cairns and Freddy Hodder.
An eventful Heat 14 saw Charlie Southwick for the home side and Binns for the Fox Cubs both disqualified, before Jordy Loftus took his third win of the night in a 3-2 to make it 42-41.
And it was Cairns who secured victory with a great ride to win Heat 15 ahead of Thompson and Trigger.
The result moves the Fox Cubs, who were only formed at short notice in the winter, up to fourth in table, and a win at home to Kent in their final fixture (date to be confirmed) will take them up at least one more position.
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TROPHY
PLYMOUTH 44: Joe Thompson 13, Ryan Ingram 11+1, Ben Trigger 10+1, Kai Ward 4+1, Charlie Southwick 3+1, Morgan Williams 3+1, Mickie Simpson r/r.
LEICESTER 45: Will Cairns 13, Jordy Loftus 10+1, Ace Pijper 9, Freddy Hodder 7, Ollie Binns 3+2, Harry Fletcher 2+2, Stene Pijper 1.
Leicester win the aggregate point.
