Birmingham Bulls v King’s Lynn Young Stars

Report

KING’S Lynn Young Stars secured the first away win in the National Development Trophy as they came from five points down to win 48-41 at Birmingham.

Youngster Cooper Rushen piled up 15+2 from seven rides at reserve for the visitors whilst skipper Jody Scott (12) won his last three rides and was involved in 5-1s with Rushen in Heat 11 and Luke Harrison in Heat 13 which turned the meeting.

Arran Butcher and skipper Darryl Ritchings both scored ten for the Bulls, who weren’t able to back up their opening home win over Leicester.

Young Stars manager Jason Pipe said: “We knew if we could keep it quite tight with a few races to go, we had that firepower towards the back end of the meeting, and it came good in the end.

“I’m really pleased with the result. This is one of those places where if you want to win leagues, you’ve got to come and pick points up, so roll on the home match now.”

Birmingham boss Laurence Rogers said: “It was a good effort from all of them, but in the end, I think it went down to one decision. Max Perry rode into the side of Max James (in Heat 7), but the referee saw it the other way.

“That made a big difference today as they pulled a 5-1 against us, which put them in a strong position that, although we tried, we couldn’t bounce back at.”

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TROPHY
BIRMINGHAM 41: Arran Butcher 10, Darryl Ritchings 10, Sam McGurk 7+1, Tom Spencer 5+3, Max James 4, Senna Summers 3, Eli Meadows 2+1.
KING’S LYNN 48: Cooper Rushen 15+2, Jody Scott 12, Luke Harrison 9+1, Ashton Vale 7, Max Perry 4+1, Harrison Rogers 1, Calum Mitchell 0.

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Photo credit: PAUL ROSE