Leicester Lions v Birmingham Brummies

LEICESTER hit back from their defeat at Glasgow with a comprehensive 62-28 victory over Birmingham at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena.

The Lions dominated the local derby and started with four 5-1s in the first five races – their only dropped points coming with Richie Worrall fell whilst leading Heat 3.

Nick Morris (14), Kyle Howarth (10+1) and Worrall (10) all scored double figures for the home side, with Justin Sedgmen picking up 10 for the Brummies, and guest Tom Brennan was the only rider to beat Morris.

Leicester boss Stewart Dickson said: “It was a perfect response to Friday, three points in the bag, and it was a good, strong one-to-seven team performance.

“We had a chat on the track walk as we always do, but the riders didn’t need talking to too much.

“The plan of attack was that good teams need to bounce back and show what they’re made of, so we didn’t go overboard on it, because we know we’re a good side and we know we’re pretty strong around here.”

Brummies manager Laurence Rogers said: “It was a bad night all round, and I don’t think the track was to anybody’s liking in the beginning.

“They did a lot of track work to make it raceable and there were a lot of problems for people on the top bend. All credit to them, they pulled it back round, but it was a tough night for us.

“The Heat 14 ride by James Pearson was unbelievable. He sat there all that time waiting for another ride, and then he went and won one, which shows the quality the boy’s got for the future.”

LEICESTER 62: Nick Morris 14, Kyle Howarth 10+1, Richie Worrall 10, Dan Thompson 9+1, Joe Thompson 7+1, Jason Edwards 6+4, Connor Mountain 6+3.
BIRMINGHAM 28: Justin Sedgmen 10, Tom Brennan 8+1, Stefan Nielsen 3+1, James Pearson 3, James Shanes 2, Claus Vissing 2, Ashley Morris r/r.

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Photo credit: MARK HALL