Kent Eagles v Leicester Fox Cubs

Report

KENT Eagles enjoyed a successful opening to National Development Trophy competition with a 47-41 home win over Leicester Fox Cubs.

It was a meeting where several youngsters shone with 16-year-old Jamie Etherington top-scoring for the home side with 12+2 at reserve, whilst 15-year-old Cooper Rushen won his first official race at this level and finished off with a Heat 15 win for the visitors.

Etherington took extra rides after team-mate Charlie Wood crashed out, suffering a broken collarbone, whilst the Fox Cubs saw Max Broadhurst withdrawn with scaphoid damage.

Vinnie Foord scored 12 from five rides for the hosts, whilst Rushen top-scored for the visitors with 12+1.

Eagles captain Ben Morley said: “They’ve got a good team with some really good youngsters, so to pull off the win like that is really quite good.

“Jamie was a massive positive for the team and it’s a great way to start the year.”

Leicester co-boss Jen Crossland said: “When you consider we’re a development team and we were racing against a side with several Championship level riders, to run them as close as six points was a great effort from everyone.

“We’re all so pleased for Cooper, and for him to go in Heat 15 in his first meeting at this level and to win it was absolutely brilliant.”

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TROPHY
KENT EAGLES 47: Jamie Etherington 12+2, Vinnie Foord 12, Ben Morley 9+1, Nathan Ablitt 7, Jacob Clouting 5+2, Nathan Hargrave 2+1, Charlie Wood 0.
LEICESTER 41: Cooper Rushen 12+1, Sonny Springer 9+1, Will Cairns 9, Ace Pijper 5, Stene Pijper 3, Max Broadhurst 2, Caydin Martin 1.

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Photo credit: TIFFANI GRAVELING