LEICESTER achieved their aim of securing runners-up position in the WSRA National Development League in the final fixture of the season at the Hydroscand Arena.
Runaway champions Edinburgh completed a 100 per cent record throughout the campaign with victory on the night, but the Lion Cubs’ target was 35 points to ensure they did not drop below King’s Lynn in the final standings.
That was mathematically confirmed in Heat 14 before the Monarchs Academy, who were tracking arguably an even stronger side than normal, completed a 53-37 victory.
The visitors were without the apparently retired Dayle Wood who had initially been declared in their line-up despite heading back to Australia earlier this month, and with a guest facility granted they brought in Jake Mulford who has a Championship average of 5.26, achieved in the Redcar top five, compared to Wood’s 4.28 at reserve for Oxford.
The move was of course entirely legal given that Wood’s NDL average is 8.95 with Mulford a fraction lower at 8.84, but it enabled a rider with substantial Premiership experience to back up what was already a powerhouse unit.
The Monarchs Academy were clearly determined there would be no slip-ups in pursuit of their clean sheet of wins, but the Lion Cubs battled every inch of the way and were only four points down after Heat 6.
Ryan Ingram defeated Vinnie Foord in Heat 4, whilst Ben Morley and Seth Norman relegated Mulford to the back of Heat 5 before guest Dan Gilkes took the first of two race wins in the next.
There was also an excellent 5-1 from Gilkes and Morley in Heat 10 after James Shanes, making his first Edinburgh appearance since mid-June and another rider with established Championship pedigree, fell on the first bend.
Race of the night was Heat 13 where Ingram took a superb victory whilst Edinburgh’s hot prospect Jordy Loftus got the better of Gilkes in a fine battle before Foord snatched third place on the line.
Norman and Emerson Betty secured a 3-3 in Heat 14 which took the Lion Cubs to their points target for the night, before the excellent Loftus and Foord, always a popular rider at Leicester, completed the meeting with a 5-1 for the dominant league champions.
Lion Cubs manager Jen Crossland said: “We’ve had a great season, and thanks to everyone who has come out week in week out to support these guys.
“On and off the track they’ve been absolutely amazing and I seriously can’t be any prouder of every single one of them. They’ve done fantastic, and that is the future of British Speedway.
“I’ve loved every minute of this year, and okay we’ve lost these last two matches but it really doesn’t matter.
“These kids have come on so much and developed in everything they’ve done, and whilst obviously winning is the ultimate goal, for us it’s not about win at all costs.
“Development is why we’re in this league, which is exactly why we brought in Emerson Betty at the end, and we will hopefully have some news coming out in the next few weeks which will be really exciting for Leicester and the supporters.”
With the 2026 season now concluded, Leicester Speedway would like to thank all supporters for their backing throughout the campaign, and news on plans for next year will follow in due course.
The club’s end of season awards night, in association with LSSC, takes place on Saturday October 31 at Leicester RFC.
WSRA NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
LEICESTER 37: Ben Morley 10+1, Dan Gilkes 10, Ryan Ingram 8, Seth Norman 5+2, Emerson Betty 3+1, Eli Meadows 1+1, Max Perry R/R.
EDINBURGH 53: Jordy Loftus 11+1, Vinnie Foord 10+2, Ben Whalley 9+1, Jake Mulford 9, James Shanes 8+1, Jamie Halder 6+1, Anika Loftus 0.
Edinburgh win the aggregate point
