Leicester Lions v Belle Vue Aces

LEICESTER edged out ROWE Motor Oil Premiership leaders Belle Vue 49-41 – with the Aces now all-but confirmed as league leaders ahead of the play-offs.

The Lions are favourites to finish second after winning a last heat decider at the Hydroscand Arena with Ryan Douglas and Nick Morris racing to a 5-1 over Brady Kurtz and Jason Doyle.

But the Aces easily did enough for the aggregate point in the East Midlands, and they are six points clear at the top with two matches remaining, as well as having an almost insurmountable points difference advantage.

Douglas kept up his sensational run of form with 14 points for a solid Lions side who only actually proved five of the 15 race wins, whilst Kurtz and Doyle both scored 11 for the Aces.

Leicester manager Stewart Dickson said: “We knew it was going to be a tough one but we got off to a decent start, not quite as good as last week, but it was still good and that’s important at this level of speedway.

“From a Leicester point of view I look at the scorechart and I see there’s points throughout the team. We’re still searching for that consistency for all seven riders to have a good night on any one night, but I think all Premiership managers would tell you the same.

“We knew they would come back at us and they had a slight incident on the second bend of Heat 15, but all in all I’m pleased and I don’t feel a score of 49 points flattered us.”

Aces boss Mark Lemon said: “Heat 15 could have gone a little bit different in our favour but that’s the way it goes, and Dougy (Ryan Douglas) is on top form at the moment.

“There are still a lot of positives to take from tonight. We got the aggregate point which was the plan, and now it really looks like we’re going to finish top which is great.

 “It’s a real achievement for the boys, and now we turn our attentions to one home and one away match remaining before the play-offs.”

LEICESTER 49: Ryan Douglas 14, Nick Morris 9+2, Drew Kemp 6+2, Dan Thompson 6+2, Joe Thompson 6+2, Sam Masters 6+1, Jordan Jenkins 2+2.
BELLE VUE 41: Brady Kurtz 11, Jason Doyle 11, Tate Zischke 6+2, Norick Blodorn 4, Peter Kildemand 4, Zach Cook 4, Will Cairns 1.
Belle Vue win the aggregate point

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Photo credit: STEVE DIXON