Details
Date | Tapes Up | Competition | Season |
---|---|---|---|
Saturday, October 1, 2022 | 7:00 pm | National Development League | 2022 |
Report
LEICESTER secured top spot in the National Development League with a 52-37 win over Berwick – to set up a play-off semi-final clash with Oxford.
Both Lion Cubs riders crashed in Heat 1 as they conceded a 5-0, but the home side recovered to extend their 100 per cent record at the Paul Chapman & Sons Arena.
Connor Coles kept up his impressive season by top-scoring with 14 points whilst Kyle Bickley scored 11 for the Bullets, who have also made the play-offs and will face Mildenhall in the semi-finals.
Cubs boss Dave Howard said: “The guys all put every effort in and came out with the result, so it’s a great end to what was a difficult night.
“We had a conversation after Heat 10 about keeping on the outside line coming out of the corners because that was the bit of the track that got better, that’s where the speed was, and they did that and blocked the Berwick riders.
“It’s a great way to end the regular season, but we know Oxford will be a really tough challenge in the play-offs.”
Bullets manager Gary Flint said: “You could tell that most of our boys haven’t had a competitive outing for almost a month, but they battled well in difficult conditions.
“Mason (Watson) didn’t make a start all night but looked really good while Kyle did what you want your number one to do.
“To be fair everyone put in a decent shift and got on with it despite the conditions, and we go into the semi-final in a really positive frame of mind.”
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEAGUE
LEICESTER 52: Connor Coles 14, Dan Thompson 9, Tom Spencer 8+3, Mickie Simpson 7+1, Joe Thompson 7, Vinnie Foord 4+2, Max Perry 3+1.
BERWICK 37: Kyle Bickley 11, Luke Crang 9, Mason Watson 6+1, Greg Blair 5+2, Ace Pijper 5+1, Kieran Douglas 1, Ben Rathbone 0.
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Photo credit: STEVE DIXON