King’s Lynn Stars v Leicester Lions

Report

LEICESTER made it eight successive victories in the Sports Insure Premiership by holding on for a 46-44 win at King’s Lynn.

The in-form Lions took control with back-to-back 5-1s in Heats 7 and 8, and the Stars required two maximums of their own in the last two races to take the match into a Super Heat – but in the first of those, Chris Harris split Simon Lambert and Thomas Jorgensen as the home side threatened to set up a grandstand finish.

Artem Laguta racked up 15+1 from six rides for the Stars and captain Nicolai Klindt scored 11+2, whilst Harris led a solid-scoring Lions side with 10+1 and Max Fricke picked up 10 from four rides.

Lions boss Stewart Dickson said: “It was a thoroughly professional performance, everybody scored points and it’s no secret that’s been the make-up of our team all season.

“It wasn’t a bad meeting either but from the midway point when we got ahead I always felt we were in control. We had a little scare in Heat 14 when they were on a 5-1, but Bomber managed to get the second spot.

“All in all it was a good close meeting, we’re happy to get the win and we had a great travelling support once again, and they made plenty of noise.”

Stars manager David Hoggart said: “We can probably find three or four races where we could have nicked another point, maybe two points, but that’s what happens in the sport.

“I can’t question the effort, and I didn’t do as many changes tonight as I did on Monday at Leicester. If they’re scoring the points, or even if they’re not scoring the points but they’re riding for them, then I’m going to leave them in.

“As I said the other day, if we’re going to do down then we’re going to go down fighting.”

KING’S LYNN 44: Artem Laguta 15+1, Nicolai Klindt 11+2, Simon Lambert 7+2, Anders Rowe 5, Kye Thomson 3+1, Thomas Jorgensen 3, Michael Palm Toft r/r.
LEICESTER 46: Chris Harris 10+1, Max Fricke 10, Richard Lawson 8, Justin Sedgmen 5+2, Jake Allen 5+2, Drew Kemp 4+1, Troy Batchelor 4.

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Photo credit: DEREK LEADER