THERE was much better news for the Fox Cubs, who were arguably underdogs heading into their clash with Kent Eagles but rose to the occasion with a 50-34 victory.
The visitors weren’t short on heat winners, with former Lion Cubs rider Connor Coles racing to a 12-point maximum, but they suffered badly through mechanical issues.
Vinnie Foord failed to beat the time allowance in Heat 1, and Ben Morley slowed during Heat 4, helping the Fox Cubs to roar into an 18-6 lead after four races.
Leicester guest Ryan Ashcroft was ruled out with concussion when he took avoiding action as Dylan Huthwaite fell ahead of him in Heat 3, but youngsters Seth Norman and Harry Fletcher both did an outstanding job at reserve.
Norman was desperately unlucky to fall when leading Foord in Heat 5 as the Kent No.1 used the extreme inside line to make a challenge, and the Eagles appeared to be back in contention when they narrowed the gap to six points at the halfway stage.
That was a significant margin because it matched their win over the Fox Cubs back in April, and they needed the aggregate point to secure second place in the table.
But Kent’s progress stalled as the Fox Cubs grabbed a 4-2 in Heat 11 and then it all went wrong for the visitors in Heat 13 when Foord crashed on turn four and Morley somewhat surprisingly failed to make the start line within the time allowance for the re-run.
Will Cairns and Freddy Hodder duly banked a 5-1 to secure the win on the night, and that was followed up by Norman and Fletcher in a re-started Heat 14 after Charlie Wood had broken the tapes, which secured the aggregate point.
With the 10.30pm curfew having been reached, the meeting was brought to a halt at that stage with all issues having been decided.
The Fox Cubs climb from fifth to second in the league table, in the process handing Birmingham the wooden spoon, with the Eagles having to be content with third.
Leicester co-promoter Jen Crossland said: “I want to say a big thank you to all of the supporters who turned out on a cold night for the final speedway action of the season, and we enjoyed some really good racing.
“We were gutted for the Lion Cubs because they didn’t deserve to lose their meeting, but it’s been the story of the season in many ways that key moments have just gone against us.
“It was a great win for the Fox Cubs against an opposing side with a very strong top three, and for them to finish second in the league is incredible considering how late they were entered into the competition.
“The big thing though is seeing the development of riders like Ryan Ingram, Seth Norman and Harry Fletcher, and this is exactly why the NDL is so important to us as a club.
“Thanks to all the riders for their co-operation on a busy evening, and thanks especially to our track staff because the circuit was underwater on Wednesday, and they managed to take off a large amount of material and produce a track which was remarkably good for this time of year.”
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TROPHY
LEICESTER 50: Freddy Hodder 10+1, Harry Fletcher 10+1, Will Cairns 10, Seth Norman 9+2, Ryan Ingram 7+3, Bailey Fellows 4+3, Ryan Ashcroft 0.
KENT 34: Connor Coles 12, Charlie Wood 7+1, Ben Morley 7, Vinnie Foord 5, Nathan Hargrave 2+1, Dylan Huthwaite 1, Jacob Clouting r/r.
Abandoned after 14 Heats (Curfew) – Result stands
Leicester win the aggregate point
