Details
Date | Tapes Up | Competition | Season |
---|---|---|---|
Friday, August 19, 2022 | 7:30 pm | National Development League | 2022 |
Report
BELLE Vue consolidated their place in the NDL play-offs with a 50-40 win over Leicester at the National Speedway Stadium.
The Lion Cubs fared better than several visitors to Manchester this year but missed out on a league point as the home reserves took centre stage.
Freddy Hodder impressed with 11+1 and colleague Archie Freeman added 8+1, whilst Leicester No.1 Dan Thompson was top scorer on the night with 13+1 and brother Joe added 10.
Belle Vue’s Nathan Ablitt said: “It was fantastic to see the likes of Freddy and Archie in the points tonight.
“Me and Harry [McGurk] struggled a little bit but I think this result has really highlighted the measure of our strength in depth.
“It was, overall, a great win for us against a team who, on paper, are one of the toughest in the league and a win was really what we needed tonight.”
Cubs boss Dave Howard said: “It’s disappointing not to get a point, but that was still the joint-highest score that any team has got there in the National League this season.
“Everyone gave their all, but a lot of it was related to set-up, and Freddy Hodder had his best meeting of the season for them, so we just missed out.
“It was a great start for his first meeting in the top five for Max (Perry), winning Heat 1 and getting seven paid eight, and Dan as well had a great meeting, backed up by Joe.”
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
BELLE VUE 50: Freddy Hodder 11+1, Jake Mulford 9, Jack Smith 9, Archie Freeman 8+1, Sam McGurk 6+1, Nathan Ablitt 4+1, Harry McGurk 3+2
LEICESTER 40: Dan Thompson 13+1, Joe Thompson 10, Max Perry 7+1, Connor Coles 4, Tom Spencer 4, Mickie Simpson 2, Vinnie foord 0
NDL League points: Belle Vue 3 Leicester 0
OFFICIAL REFEREE SCORECARD
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Photo credit: IAN CHARLES