Belle Vue Colts v Leicester Lion Cubs

Report

BELLE Vue lost their unbeaten home NDL record to champions Leicester, whose 49-41 win at the National Speedway Stadium makes them strong favourites to reach another Grand Final.

Max Perry (12+1) and skipper Joe Thompson (11+2) led the way for the Lion Cubs with reserve Max James clocking up 9+3 as the visitors recorded their fifth successive away win in the league.

It was the Colts’ first home defeat in two years, and a result which all-but ends their own hopes of a top two finish. Skipper Jack Smith scored 14 points and Freddy Hodder added 10, but reserve Luke Muff crashed out in his second ride.

Leicester boss Dave Howard said: “It was an eventful night, but a fantastic result for us to become the first team to win here in the NDL this year, and it was a great performance by everybody to get the win and the aggregate point.

“Max Perry had his best meeting of the season, he rode really well and was top scorer – he was outstanding, and that’s why I gave him Heat 15 as well.”

Smith said: “This isn’t the way were hoping to finish our league meetings at home. We were set on getting the win and getting all three league points to continue our push for the play offs.

“Of course we’re disappointed. Last year, when it was the top four who went through, we just missed out by a point and now this year we’ve potentially missed out by an equally close number.”

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
BELLE VUE 41: Jack Smith 14, Freddy Hodder 10, Sam McGurk 8+3, Matt Marson 7+2, Luke Muff 2, Jack Shimelt 0, James Pearson r/r
LEICESTER 49: Max Perry 12+1, Joe Thompson 11+2, Max James 9+3, Tom Spencer 7+1, Ben Morley 6, Vinnie Foord 2+1, Danny Phillips 2
Leicester win aggregate bonus point

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Photo credit: IAN CHARLES