Leicester Lion Cubs v Edinburgh Academy

Report

LEICESTER maintained their 100 per cent start to the WSRA National Development League season with a 56-34 win at home to Edinburgh.

Captain Joe Thompson scored a 15-point maximum for the Lion Cubs, who also scored heavily at reserve with Luke Crang adding 11 and youngster Sonny Springer 8+2 on his home debut.

The Monarchs Academy were limited to three race wins in their first outing of 2024, with Sam McGurk taking the flag twice on his way to 10 points.

Leicester manager Dave Howard said: “It was a great performance, especially considering none of them apart from Joe had ridden the track this season after the changes.

“But everybody was fantastic and it’s great to get a big win, and to get two wins out of two at the start of the season.”

Edinburgh boss Scott Wilson said: “I could make excuses and say it was the first match of the season for most of our lads, whereas Leicester were already up and running in their season, but that would be unfair to Leicester as they were simply better than us today. They were faster out the starts and hungrier than us for the majority of the day.

“We never really got a foothold in the meeting and it was damage limitation by the midway point. Sam McGurk was our bright point, he kept us competitive but he will need his team mates to give him a lot more support if we are to win matches.”

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
LEICESTER 56: Joe Thompson 15, Luke Crang 11, Sonny Springer 8+2, Max James 7+2, Tom Spencer 7+1, Vinnie Foord 4+1, Arran Butcher 4.
EDINBURGH 34: Sam McGurk 10, Connor Coles 7+1, Max Perry 6, Dayle Wood 4, Mason Watson 3+1, Mark Parker 2+1, Kyran Lyden 2+1.

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Photo credit: STEVE DIXON