Leicester Lion Cubs v Oxford Chargers

LEICESTER pulled off an impressive 51-39 win over Oxford in the NDL despite the loss of No.1 Dan Thompson after a first-race crash.

Thompson was unable to continue after the re-run of that race, but brother Joe stormed to an 18-point maximum and Connor Coles added 16+1, with the Cubs’ top two receiving vital support from reserve Max Perry (9+1) later in the meeting.

Jordan Jenkins scored 11 for the Chargers, but they conceded a 5-1 in Heat 15 and left the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena with no league points, to remain third in the table whilst the Cubs closed in on leaders Berwick.

Leicester boss Dave Howard said: “That was the performance of the season, an absolutely amazing performance by all the guys.

“Oxford are a really strong side on paper, and losing Dan after Heat 1 and being four behind after seven heats, and then 32-16 in the last eight races was just an unbelievable performance by the guys.

“Everybody dug in and I’m just so proud tonight. It’s the biggest win of the season, and to send them away with no points as well was fantastic, and I can’t say enough about all the guys tonight.”

Oxford co-boss Jason Crump said: “It did drift away from us in the last races. A few of the boys weren’t comfortable with the track conditions.

“We missed out on heat winners. I did think, in the middle part of the meeting, there were a lot of 3-3 races where maybe we could have taken a 4-2 and that could have made the difference.”

LEICESTER 51: Joe Thompson 18, Connor Coles 16+1, Max Perry 9+1, Mickie Simpson 3+1, Tom Spencer 2+1, Dan Thompson 2, Vinnie Foord 1.
OXFORD 39: Jordan Jenkins 11, Jody Scott 7+2, Jake Mulford 6+2, Arran Butcher 6+1, Henry Atkins 5+1, Sam Hagen 4+1, Jacob Clouting 0.

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Photo credit: STEVE DIXON