King’s Lynn Young Stars v Birmingham Bulls

Report

KING’S LYNN completed a National Development Trophy double over Birmingham with a 52-38 win at the Adrian Flux Arena.

The Young Stars saw their middle-order duo of Ashton Vale and Max Perry both withdraw after separate clashes, but 15-year-old Cooper Rushen scored 17 points out of a possible 18 at reserve.

Skipper Jody Scott won four races as he collected 12, whilst Rushen’s colleague at reserve Calum Mitchell scored 6+3 in only his second ever speedway meeting.

Darryl Ritchings led the way for the Bulls as he scored 10, with the result also giving the Young Stars the aggregate point.

King’s Lynn boss Jason Pipe said: “When we lost Ashton and Max, I thought if we could get up to Heat 10 even a couple of points ahead, I was quite confident in what we had left in the last few races that we could do it.

“I did feel we would pull away later on, which we did, but the victory by 14 points actually surprised me in the end, I thought it was going to be a lot tighter.

“That’s two wins now, we’re top of the league on five points, and we’re feeling quite confident about our chances.”

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT TROPHY
KING’S LYNN 52: Cooper Rushen 17, Jody Scott 12, Luke Harrison 9+2, Calum Mitchell 6+3, Max Perry 5, Harrison Rogers 3, Ashton Vale 0
BIRMINGHAM 38: Darryl Ritchings 10, Tom Spencer 8+1, Connor Coles 7+1, Senna Summers 5, Arran Butcher 4+2, Sam McGurk 3+1, Eli Meadows 1
King’s Lynn win aggregate point

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Photo credit: DEREK LEADER