LEICESTER Lion Cubs pulled off a remarkable 50-40 win at Buxton on Sunday to move back into second place in the WSRA National Development League.
The Lion Cubs were rank outsiders heading to the Hi-Edge Raceway being without three of their regular riders, and with no facility available to replace No.1 Freddy Hodder.
However, their regulars stepped up superbly with skipper Ben Morley and flying rocket Ryan Ingram both dominating the meeting with 16-point hauls.
Youngster Seth Norman also put in a superb display with paid-11 in the main body of the team whilst Eli Meadows carded his best score of the season with paid-nine.
And unattached guest Emerson Betty also played his part as he followed Meadows home for a 5-1 in Heat 2 over home duo Bailey Fellows and Jack Shimelt which put the Lion Cubs ahead.
The first half of the meeting was close as the Leicester lead was held to two or four points, with Morley dropping what turned out to be his only point of the meeting to Charlie Southwick in Heat 3.
There was a massive Leicester 5-1 in Heat 10 when Morley and Norman raced to a maximum over home No.1 Alfie Bowtell which increased the lead to eight points.
But the Bulls still forced a nervous finale with a surprise maximum of their own in the next race, before Bowtell and Jack Roberts collected a 4-2 split by Ingram in Heat 13 to cut the gap to two.
However, Southwick crashed out of Heat 14 as Norman and Meadows completed the victory with a 5-1, and Ingram and Morley then put the gloss on the result with more maximum points in Heat 15.
The Lion Cubs easily took the aggregate point following a big win at home in the reverse fixture and they have two more matches at the Hydroscand Arena to complete their campaign, starting against King’s Lynn on Sunday (5pm).
WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
BUXTON 40: Alfie Bowtell 9, Jack Roberts 9, Charlie Southwick 6+1, Arran Butcher 5+1, Luke Harris 5+1, Bailey Fellows 4+1, Jack Shimelt 2+2.
LEICESTER 50: Ben Morley 16+1, Ryan Ingram 16, Seth Norman 8+3, Eli Meadows 8+1, Emerson Betty 2+1, Harrison Rogers 0, Max Perry r/r.
Leicester win the aggregate point
Photo credit: IAN CHARLES
